, 1935-03-15
WASHINGTON
By II


Crash Organized minorities,
several of which have nothing par
ticular in common. 7 welded into
q temporary bloc here that has up
set the entire White House legisla-
tive program. AS a result. much OF
II promises to 90 overheard for the
session.
Reading from left to right = and
the expression Is used advisediy -
are Long. Coughlin AZ Co.. spear
heading the whole anti-administra-
ton drive: the Townsend plan and
EPIC hackers; the inflationists: the
American Federation Of Labor.
which feels II has been sold down
the river; the American Legion and
the Veterans Of Foreign Wars. de-
handing cash bonus: the American
Bankers assoc rson and the Am
erican Liberty League. opposing
bank reform legislation. and the
power lobby. which very much does
not. want the Wheeler Rayburn bill
abolishing holding companies pass
ed.
And to this. where Il doesn't ma
turally synchronize. the republican
minority which has been giving aid
and comfort to the extent Of nor.
mally unexplainable votes. And
then toss IN the p~rogressives. who
have now decided to 90 their own
way.
Freedom - The 40 left-wing lib
erals who organized into a bloc In
the house under guidance OF Rep
resentatiyes Paul Kvale OLD.
N.inn.. Gerald J.. Boileau CP). Wis,
and Merlin Hull CP). Wis. are indi-
cative OF the new political order
although this group comedies Il
won't be able tc do much but make
noise. Existing house gag rules will
limit that.
When BoiIeau finally produces a
statement Of policy. he being in
charge Of that, II will bear a pre-
amble allowing any bloc member 10
dissent from legislation generally
endorsed therein.
Those who are for everything else
will not stomach the Frazier-Lemke
farm mortgage ~refinancing bill. A
few viii not 60 along for still more
public works. There NAV be some
OBJECTIONS on the proposition Of gov
ernent ownership OF all natural re-
sources and monopolies vested with
public interest.
Liaison - The house malcontents
do think they have an outside
chance 10 soften the stringent dis
charge rule 70 that 145 members,
instead OF 2is majority. may again
force legislation out OF committee
for q vote Veteran observers doubt
they viii get 10 first base.
Representative Kvale. a. bloc
chairman, points out for instance
that he personally is opposed TO the
Townsend cG age pension plan. Yet
he feels It should be met suuarely
and voted down by the house be-
cause of the widespread following IL
has enticed with its Utopian for
mula.
Primarily. the Mavericks" - as
the w group Is called with & Texas
democrat Of that famous name who
is 4 rnernber-nlan 10 establish clos
er liaison with senate p~rogressives.
Senators Norris OF Neb.. LaFollette
OF Wise. Cutting Of ~. Mex. ship
stead Of Mimi. and others are said
to have encouraged the blocis incep.
ton.
Bucks = For months the country
watched the New Deal rake some
Of the strangest bedfellcws In 10
utical history. Now. BY the same
token. 10 is witnessing the end cf
some beautiful friendships.
witness the verbal battle between
Senator Bill Borah and Chief Co
ordinator Don RichberF over the fu-
ture Of NRA. This pair OF former
liberals who saw eye 10 eve for years
have gone to the mat Ike q couple
~ grudTe fighters.
Ever since Borah came roaring out
OF the ives. TO belabor trusts and
special privilege during conEdera-
ton Of the Pavne-Aldrich tariff bill.
he has been lifting his eloquent
voice against monopolies. So II n
small wonder that Don penetrated
Bills epidermis when ne hung the
"friend-o monopoly tag On the
rdahoan because o. his fight against
MIRA.
On the other hand. Richberg rose
10 national notice as q labor attcr-
ney (although he now makes IL
clear ne ALWAYS Was On a gfrairhf
retainer) and a supporter OF the late
fighting Bob" LaFollette. For
years he was regarded by many as
a flaming radical II not q danger
GUS Red Now Borah says he Is
the friend Of big business. and the
pair are stirred 70 bitter words.
Water 1T makes q lot Of dif-
ference whose OK Is being gored. IN
der ordinary circumstances the tes-
~ and able Senator Garter Glass.
Of Va, would fight with all thu