The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-05-03
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National Topics Interpreted "a GM16
by William Bruckart TTTITIT0
Press washington

Danger OF FaSclSm In the United States,
it lies in this rise of blocs in congress.
The natural result is to replace and
break up the two old established par
ties. Thus far in this session there
has been evidence time after time of
bloc activities, one against another.
This condition results in legislative
trades, not all of which result in good
or even well-written legislation.
When the President came through
the biennial election last fall with his
majOrities increased, there were those
who insisted that he would have his
will with congress and no questions
asked. They did not reckon, however,
with the potential strength of the va
rious interests watching congressional
activities do not believe that care
full analysis of the activities of most
of these lobbyists will show improper
relations between them and members
of congress. They are simply assert
ing the right of every individual, name
ly, the privilege to tell his represent
alive or senator what his opinion is.
Certainly, there is a growing feeling
that Mr.. Roosevelt gained little or
nothing when he attacked the power
interests and over their shoulder all
other representation in Washington.
AS long as we have our present type
of government, every person who may
be affected by legislation has an in
terest in what his legislators do. My
own belief is that they are no more
subject to criticism as long as they are
not guilty of fraudulent action than
is an individual home owner guilty of
wrong when he chases away tres
passer.
Now that President Roosevelt has
title to S4,SOO,OOO,OOO to spend pretty
much as he pleases,
Hou0 Will 1t the question is heard
Be Spent? around Washington
more and more fire.
quently, what is he going to do with
it? The truth is that administration
plans for utilizing this vast sum of
money are so nebulous that no one
can tell, even the officials themselves,
to what uses it will be put. One hears
about attacking the problem of soil
erosion so that the destruction by dust
storms will occur no more, and there
is talk of many public works projects.
When one tries to find out details of
these, however, he is promptly con-
fronted by a stone wall, either of ST.
lence or Of frank statement that only
the outlines have thus far been con-
sidered.
Conversations over luncheon tables
in Washington seem to indicate that
actual spending of this money in any
appreciate sum will not get under way
for some months In fact, there seems
of substantial character will take place
in a spending way before next winter.
And, if that is true the comment sug-
gests, the great appropriation will be
effective only in political way next
spring and summer.
1t should be remembered that the
amount voted the President in this
one resolution which is to be spent
practically at his direction is greater
than the total expenditure of the fed
eral government for any year from
1922 to 1881.
With further references to lobbying
activities, it is made to appear that
two organizations
Effective have done an espe-
Lobbying cially good job. re-
fer TO the operations
of the American Legion Office in Wash
ington and it's fight for the veterans
bonus, and the activity of the various
agricultural and farm organizations
who have been fighting off certain
phases of railroad legislation.
The farmers, according to the best
information can get, are opposed to
federal regulation of Interstate bus.and
truck business because they feel the
proposed legislation will hamper farm
to-market hauling. l suspect that the
bus and truck group have persuaded
the farm representatives to oppose reg
ulatory measures for buses and trucks
on the basis of misunderstanding. |
have made numerous inquiries of legis-
and senate leaders respecting the point
at issue and all have assured me that
the proposed federal regulation will In
no way apply to farm-to-market haul
ing.
While the point made here is not at
all important and when farm opera
tors of trucks understand it they will
doubtless shy away from the position
they have taken, it illustrates how one
organization will attract many follow
ers to its ranks who actually ought not
be there.
Now as to the bonus proposition, it
ought to be said that the Roosevelt adj
ministration is in hole. SO well has
the American Legion done it's job that
there is no doubt in my mind at the
moment respecting the outcome. There
will be bonus legislation passed by
congress at this session. Whether it
will be signed or vetoed by President
Roosevelt depends entirely upon the
nature of the bill as it finally is passed.
Senator Harrison, Democratic chair
man of the senate finance committee,
has produced piece of legislation de-
signed to compromise differences be-
tween the President and the bonus agi-
tators. The house already has passed
a highly inflationary bill for immediate
payment of the bonus to the veterans
of the World war. That bill probably
cannot pass the senate and if it should,
il faces a certain veto at the White
House.
Nevertheless, so powerful is the
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