Evening star., 1935-07-24
DICTATOR CURBS
SEEN IN SESSION
Failure of Congress to Ad-
journ Held Good Omen
for u. S.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


all? Why shouldn't it take four
week vacation, refresh itself at seaside
or mountain resort, and resume It's
labors? What other American citizens
caring $4,000 year get a six-month
vacation?
These queries, often asked in one
form or another by people who write
to Washington, are deserving Of an
answer and an explanation. For 1t is
the essence of the news nowadays.
First of all, Congress is tired. The
pressure this session has been terrific.
There aren't enough hours in the day
to give time to the constituents who
want to talk to their Representatives
or who want answers to their mail
or jobs.
Then, too, a member of Congress
feels he is working just as hard for his
salary when he is back home listening
to the views of his constituents or
when carrying on correspondence or
conferences with the various agencies
of Government in behalf of those af-
fected by executive action whether
Congress is or is not in session.
1t is curious how the waves of pub
lie opinion indicate desire for Con-
gress always to adjourn and quit add
ing to the already excessive list of
laws.
Advantages and Disadvantages.
Rarely is there any pressure, on the
other hand, to keep Congress in ses-
OF offending a
number of nerve-frayed members of
Congress. it might be pertinent now
to enumerate the advantages and dis
advantages of keeping Congress in
Virtually continuous session:
l. The principal argument made
for early adjournment is that Con-
greSs is holding back recovery by
breeding uncertainty over future legis
lation. This is a stock objection to
congressional sessions and it presup-
poses that the only people around here
with capacity for mischief are the
legislators. Experience teaches us that
the so-called administrative agencies
take up the legislative task when Con-
greSs leaves of and issue sets Of rules
and regulations that have the force of
law and are promulgated in pursuance
of the very discretionary" authority
bestowed by Congress in its hurry to
adjourn or to sidestep responsibility.
So business uncertainty doesn't end
with adjournment of Congress.
2. Another argument is that Con-
gress needs to go back home and get
in touch with public opinion. This is
important in building up ones political
organization, but, after all, there is
very little that can be said in person
which has not already been told mem
bers of Congress in their mail from
back home.
Can Curb Dictation.
AS to the arguments in favor OF a
continued session, with perhaps a va
cation in August, the best reason for
keeping Congress on the job is that the
American people can save themselves
from the dangers Of dictatorship only
by holding the legislative body-their
direct representativeS-in Washington
to exercise vigilance. Certainly the
executive agencies and boards run riot
with their delegated powers when
there is no Congress at hand to pass
or threaten resolutions of inquiry.
The American system Of govern
ment requires constructive opposition
but it cannot be furnished when the
legislative body has adjourned because
there is no provision for an opposition
in the executive branch, which oc-
eupies itself in covering up, so far as
as possible, any errors in administra-
ton.
Unfortunately, while there is every
reason to sympathize with members
who want a recess, the fact remains
that in war days Congress was in
almost continuous session. In these
times there are many recovery and
reconstruction tasks that have been
left undone.
C0rrectives Necessary.
Revision of existing laws to make
them conform to the Constitution,
repeal of various provisions Of law
which have proved unavoidable or un-
wise, re-examination of the work OF
ing waste, rebuilding Of the whole tax
structure so as to yield revenues to
balance the budget and safeguard the
currency and the national credit-all
these tasks ought not really be post
poned, and there is little time to lose
in making beginning on them, II
ever there was Justification for month
or so of vacation and an immediate
resumption of the work Of Congress, IL
is to be found in the fact that the
executive branch of the Government
has made q colossal failure of relief,
has increased the expense and the
number on relief rolls many times
what it should be, and all this in the
face Of steady business recovery.
Congress did not require bill OF
particulars as to how the $4,000, 900, 900
was to be spent, but it is not too late
to request the administration to tell
the country how it is going to cut
down the 100000 unemployed
Congress doesn't represent any group
of people back home more definitely
than those 10000, 900 persons who are
still waiting for New Deal. Fol
their sake, If for no other reason
Congress ought not to desert the
floundering executive agencies but put
shoulder to the wheel and help them
solve the biggest of all their problems
how to get 10000.000 people back
to work. 1t may be that such an in
vestigation would lead right back tc
Congress, that it would prove conclu.
sively the need for repeal or revision
of statutes and appropriations that
are bringing state socialism and moi
recovery. But the time of such a
whole-hearted congressional study anc
debate in both Houses would not be
wasted. And the members who rec
ognized that conception of public duty
would some day find that reelection
would come naturally as a reward fol
public service well done.