Evening star., 1935-08-25
ALL WORK AND NO PLAY
LIES AHEAD OF CONGRESS
Adjournment Brings Hectic Campaign
+. Period for Most Members, With
Thorns Besetting Pathway.

other committee activity in Washing.
ton, so for considerable part OF
Congress, the recess will last for but
three months. This will compel mem
bers who have nomination and elec-
ton troubles to condense a great deal
of campaign activity into September,
October and November.
Moreover, though little or nothing
has been said about it, there is dis
tinct possibility that Congress will be
called back to the Capital in special
session at almost any time, conditions
developing in Europe With Italy
bent on invasion of Ethiopia and the
repercuSSions highly uncertain, war
in Europe is regarded by Congress as
seriously threatened. 1t was because
of this that there arose this week an
intense movement for neutrality legis-
lation. Should another debacle de-
scend on Europe this Fall, a special
Congress session for numerous rea-
sons, including the one Of full con-
sideration of all aspects of neutrality,
would be unavoidable
"OFkS DcmdnuS OpSettlnk.
Adding much to the difficulties of
members of the two houses is the in
sistent clamor In their districts and
states for ALLEGATIONS of works funds.
This not only keeps members in per-
petual hot water, but the delays in
the works program and the denial of
large numbers Of applications are cost
ing them votes. 1t is quite true the
vast works appropriation has been
denounced right and left as a scheme
to buy the next election, but 1t is ell
ready apparent that many a man in
Congress who has had to wreStle with
applications for funds, only to disap-
point some city, town or community,
wishes be had never heard of such
thing as $4,000, 900 900 works fund.
Not only is he blamed for delays
in ALLEGATIONS. but also when they are
refused; he gets little thanks when
they are granted and Is forced to de-
vote much of his time trying to get
a share of the billions for his region.
This Fall many Congressman will
put in much of the recess travelling
back and forth between home and the
Capital to give attention to demands
for grants of works money.
Supplicant as the session just clos
ing has been and much as it has
bowed the knee to the President, it has
been insurgent rebellious at times and
it is growing more evident that this
insurgency will be a great factor in
1886 President Roosevelt, as he opens
his campaign, as he is now doing, and
will do in his Western swing. Is clearly
not going to give aid and comfort to
members who fought phases Of the
New Deal. The reaction to the hold
ing company fight and the death
sentence" controversy in House and
Senate clearly will be extended. House
Democrats who defied the Executive
and refused to stand for the death
sentence" are threatened with opposi-
tion for denomination.
A. A. A. Proves Big Stick.
Those who refused to go along with
the A. A. A. demands for enhanced
power over agriculture and processing
and the business Of handling farm
products are in much the same situa-
tion. The same is true Of those who
baked at unexampled appropriations
or who declined to stomach the Pres:-
dents wealth distribution tax program.
The Republican member, not beirg
with the majority party, is not In tie
same straits as his Democratic col
league The average Democrat, as he
goes back from eight months of har-
rowing experience at law-makins.
finds himself under fire II he has
blindly supported the New Deal be-
cause of the tide OF criticism rising
against 1t in many quarters; and, II
he has been contumeliouS and inde-
pendent toward some Of the must"
bills, he finds himself under bomhard-
ment from administration elements.