Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-10

II and when President Roosevelt
vetoes bonus bill he will take a leaf
out of the note book Of Calvin Cool
idge, who withheld his approval Of
bonus legislation on the eve of the
1924 presidential election, mindless of
political consequences which some ad-
visers feared would seriously endanger
the prospects Of his remaining in the
White House. Democratic party man
ayers have had ample opportunity
during the present session Of Congress
to assess the effect Of a bonus veto.
They reflect no alarm that 1t will I'M
dermine Mr.. Roosevelt's 1896 fortunes,
despite representations by Senator
Long and Father Coughlin that F.
D. r. is too good politician" to
risk mourning the veterans disfavor.
The so-called soldier vote. incidental
ly, is by no means solid on the bonus.
Even though the American Legion and
the Veterans Of Foreign Wars are pro-
bonus as organizations. there are nu-
merous ex-service men, typified by
some who are in Congress, who have
never favored legislation of the cur
rent type. On account Of his Re-
publican presidential aspirations. first
prize for exhibition of intestinal in
vestiture on the bonus goes to SEN
ator Arthur H. Vandenberg Of Michi-
gan, who voted against it.
Gov. Phil La Toilette Of Wisconsin,
after transacting the immediate bust
ness that brought him to Washington
last week, spent several days hobnob-
bling with friends in official and po-
litical quarters, and giving the New
Deal, especially with respect to re-
Lief. closeup. If the young Badger
State executive and his brother. Sem
ator Bob, are contemplating linking
their Wisconsin third PROGRESSIVE
party with a national independent
movement next year. no indications of
such plans have leaked out in WASH
ington. Both La Toilette brothers
figure periodically in the gossip about
q third party candidate for President.
The Wisconsin Progressives could
probably easily form an alliance with
Minnesota Farmer-Laborites and other
Midwestern and Northwestern left
wing groups, comprising an organized
nucleus stronger than either Senator
Longs share-the wealth movement or
Father Coughlin's National Union for
Social Justice Gov. La Follette's pres
ence in Washington Is the forerunner
of expected visitations by many State
executives anxious to keep abreast of
relief developments and determined to
see that their respective Common
wealths get square deal at the
81, 600, 900, 900 pie counter.
Railroad executives and holders Of
railroad securities are highly gratified
by the Supreme Courts decision de-
claring the pension law unconstitu-
tional. Ever since President Roose-
welt branded the law as "crudely
drawn" rail magnates were confident
that the highest tribunal would seal
its doom in due course. II the statute
had been validated, it would have cost
the railroads about $50, 1000, 900 in adj
ditional annual expenditure. In other
days such q burden would have been
easily borne. While the smashing Of
the law saves the carriers considerable
money, it adds nothing to their reve-
nues. To this fact Wall Street at
tributes the failure Of the market to
register sustained advances In rail
prices after the Supreme Courts ac-
ton.
X
President Roosevelt has decreed that
White House press conferences are to
remain family affairs between himself
and his newspaper visitors, despite
suggestions that transcripts of the
Capitalization be made available to
Congress. As presidential views for
non ouotabl0< BACKGROUND" purposes