Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-12-26
WAsHlNG TON. DR..


ministration and its New Deal poll
cies many recommendations were made
and acted upon appropriating money
from the general treasury for the use
of single class. The public works
and relief funds, appropriated to keep
people from starving, falls within that
category. No one disputes the neces-
sity for feeding the destitute; no one
argues against providing food, clothing
and fuel for those unable to care for
themselves and no one can take issue
with the fact that when states and
cities were unable to care for their
destitute, the federal government was
compelled to step in. Nevertheless,
general funds were used for a limited
number of the population.
That fact is probably the most In
fuential at the present time when the
soldiers bonus and the Townsend old
age pension problems are before con-
gress. With few exceptions, have
found representatives and senators say
ing that it is difficult to reconcile sup
port for the gigantic relief appropria-
tions and at the same time refusal Of
support for the other two.
The Roosevelt administration like
wise finds itself in difficulties in ex-
pressing any opposition to the soldiers
bonus because of the admitted waste
that has gone on. 1t has added more
than $S,000,O00OOO to the national
debt since March, 1888, and the most
friendly of administration critics adj
NIT the wastage has been substantial
Speaking Of the administrations
political efforts to maintain or in
crease party strength,
Campaign washington observ-
Plans ers are now con-
WINGED that the Pres
ident will depend upon the South and
the West for reelection. If these OBJ
servers are correct in their analysis Of
the early campaign methods, Mr..
Roosevelt is trying to align agricul-
ture and labor as the foundation stones
for vote victory. 1t is q most inter-
esting circumstance, politically. It is
the first time it has been attempted
by the "ins" and it will add some
thing to the knowledge Of politicians
II it works satisfactorily.
Heretofore, attempts have been made
many times by the "outs" to align la
Dor and agriculture to defeat the party
in power. 1t has always failed. So
that If it can be accomplished by the
party in power, there will have been
demonstrated how the use Of public
money combined with favorable legisla-
ton of class character can be en-
ployed to maintain control Of the gov.
eminent.
There rs every reason to believe
that big JIM Farley, postmaster gen.
eral, chairman Of the Democratic Ma
tional committee and chairman Of the
New York State Democratic commit
tee, is not hopeful Of winning the East
with the possible exception Of his
home state of New York. OF course,
Mr.. Farley will not admit the truth of
this statement nor will any of his
subordinates make confession that
the East is turning against the Presi-
dent and the New Deal. Such an
admission would wreck state organiza-
lions of his party, so he glibly insists
that MIR. Roosevelt will carry as many
states as he did In 1892 but the under
current Of events and plans Of the
Democratic national committee indi-
cate otherwise.
The success Of the administrations
plan to mold agriculture and labor
9, into a cohesive po-
"seePJ litical framework Is
Republicans going to turn large
ly on what the Re-
publicans do. Thus far, It can be
said that the New Deal plans for align
ing labor and agriculture are moving
forward quite undisturbed. The rea-
son is the sleepiness and cowardice Of
Republican leadership. 1t has done
nothing on this score showing either
Initiative or courage. OF course, the
Republican strategy appears to be one
OF delay in order to avoid an early
counter attack from the New Deal but
political observers here-men who have
studied politics for a quarter of CEN
fury and more-fail to understand why
the Republican National committee is
noe active in raising money for the
Forthcoming battle.
If the Republicans expect to make
an appreciable dent In the New Deal
armor, they must go to the country.
II they expect to hold the East where
business leaders admittedly are anti
New Deal, the argments why thew
should adhere to Republican policies
must be advanced continuously. Il
they expect to make any gains in the
Middle West or in the Pacific coast
area, their side of the story must he
told to the voters. AS said earlier
little II anything is being done in this
direction-so little In fact that an I'M
biased observer fails to see how Mr..
Farley's statement that Mr.. Roosevelt
VIII carry as many states as he did in
1892 can be disproved.
1t Is generally understood that re-
organization of the Republican Ma
tional committee will take place very
coon 'S@S