, 1935-06-21

seeking party solidarity, cannot be
gainsaid.
Last year at this time the legis-
lators had gone home to campaign
largely among the customary lines.
The administration had obtained
passage Of its bills, including stock
market regulation. housing promo
ton and reciprocal tariff authority
without much difficulty.
OF that session. the veteran
Senator Robinson. democratic lead
er. said:
There has been more action
and less talk in this congress thar
any in my recollection"
The president, writing TO Vice
President Garner, praised the
fine spirit Of cooperation" be-
tween the legislative and executive
branches.
Many happenings have operated
for change since November's over
whelming democratic victories al
the polls brought predictions Of
easy going" for the new deal
which were soon belied.
lit w WOAh ACAACl
bill was treated roughly for weeks
Senator Long D-La) and Father
Charles z. Coughlin had nationa,
audiences for their ideas. Third
party talk rose. Republicans took
heart.
The American Liberty League
opened up against various new
deal policies. The supreme court
declared cancellation Of the gold
clause in government bonds al
unconstitutional, though upholdinl
other financial steps.
Congress was acting on Roose'
welt recommendation less readily
The bonus passed. The house voted
to override the veto: but the sem
ate sustained the president. Hi
supporters rejoiced.
Charges OF RECOMMENDATION" anc
"unsound fiscal policies" appeared
likely TO be principal republican
talking points for 1886. Former
President Hoover became more act
i've.
Topping all these developments
however, was invalidation Of NRA
In the space Of a few days.
constitutional issue was described
by some republican leaders. The
president defended NRA principles
The opposition warned against
what 1t termed excessive central
ization.
The makeshift NRA was set up
the larger issue left for DISPOSE
ton later. Instead of modifying
his program. Mr.. Roosevelt added
the Guffey bituminous control bill
to the must" list. Opponents con-
Sidered him on the defensive al
most for the first time. The re-
publican grass rooters" in Illinois
attacked him directly.
Unrest at the capitol became
more noticeable. House committees
SHE'D from the iva and utility
holding company bills. AAA amend
mentS were revised. The White
House felt called upon to inter-
vene on behalf OF some legiSla-
ton. Speed picked up. Adjourn
ment seemed sighted.
Senator Long made plans "a
stump far and wide this summer
for his share the-wealth" plan
Eager for material against the
new deal. he as well as others
studied charges made by Ewing Y
Mitchell after he was dismissed
as assistant secretary Of commerce
The senate began investigating
the charges wednesday. Member:
OF both parties we're skeptical after
interrogating Mitchell. His story
to them led the headlines but q
few hours, because Mr. Roosevelt
decided, without letting many in
Inmates know. to forward his long
hidden wealth tax plan TO con-
gresS. The step was obviously q
move TO take the offensive.
Leftists praised 1t. Third party
chances seemed dwindling. Some
conservatives, deploring emphaSi:
on reform" at a time when bust
ness prospects were considered i'm
proving. said Senator Long wa
being robbed of his issue" Al
answer to the question whether
and how the republican Leaders
will take a stand on the ISSUE
would help at least TO allay tho
political uncertainties.
Possibilities Of an anti-New Dea
coalition next year Is being dis
cussed. Chief Justice William B
Pattangall OF Maine, long a demo.
crat, Thursday said a bipartisan
ticket was the only way to defeat
Roosevelt. Some prominent figure:
agree with him but republican
stalwarts have not been receptive
to the idea.
None can yet say how this con-
gress will end. Outwardly at least
the administration still expects Il
win the bulk Of legislation still
pending.