Montgomery County sentinel., 1935-05-02
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National Topics Interpreted "a $5667IdSS
by William Bruckart TFYYTTTTS1e
National Press DC ~EM~Efr

was OuI Tie OuIWdru sign OF courage
underneath. have reported to you
heretofore that there were mutterings
and expressions of discomfort within
the Presidents vast majority in the
house and senate. While the malcon-
tents are not openly criticizing the
President, they are able to accomplish
their purpose by delay and disagree
ment over what ordinarily would be
very minor details.
I believe it is the consensus also that
the activities Of petitioners for their
rights are responsible to large extent
for the creation Of numerous blocs
in congress. It has been observed by
numerous publicists that If there is
danger Of Fascism in the United States,
1t lies in this rise of blocs in congress
The natural result is to replace and
break up the two old established par
ties. Thus far in this session there
has been evidence time after time of
bloc activities. one against another.
This condition results in legislative
trades, not all of which result in good
or even well-written legislation.
When the President came through
the biennial election last fall with his
majorities increased, there were those
who insisted that he would have his
will with congress and no questions
asked. They did not reckon, however,
with the potential strength of the va
rious interests watching congressional
activities. do not believe that care
full analysis of the activities of most
of these lobbyists will show improper
relations between them and members
of congress. They are simply assert
ing the right of every individual, name
ly, the privilege to tell his represent
ative or senator what his opinion is.
Certainly, there is a growing feeling
that Mr.. Roosevelt gained little or
nothing when he attacked the power
interests, and over their shoulder all
other representation in Washington.
Now that President Roosevelt has
title to $4,S00,O00,OOO to spend pretty
much as he pleases,
HotO Will 1t the question is heard
Be Spent? around Washington
more and more fire.
Quently, what is he going to do with
it? The truth is that administration
plans for utilizing this vast sum of
money are so nebulous that no one
can tell, even the officials themselves,
to what uses it will be put. One hears
about attacking the problem of soil
erosion so that the destruction by dust
storms will occur no more, and there
is talk Of many public works projects.
When one tries to find out details of
these, however, he is promptly con-
fronted by stone wall, either of 81
lence or Of a frank statement that only
the outlines have thus far been con-
sidered.
Conversations over luncheon tables
in Washington seem to indicate that
actual spending Of this money in any
appreciable sum will not get under way
for some months. In fact, there seems
to be ground for belief that nothing
of substantial character will take place
in a spending way before next winter.
And, If that is true the comment sug-
gests, the great appropriation will be
effective only in political way next
spring and summer.
It should be remembered that the
amount voted the President in this
one resolution which is to be spent
practically at his direction is greater
than the total expenditure of the fed
eral government for any year from
1922 to 1881.
With further references to lobbying
activities, it is made to appear that
two organizations
EHectiUe have done an espe-
Lobbying cially good job. re-
fer to the operations
Of the American Legion Office in Wash
ington and it's fight for the veterans
bonus, and the activity of the various
agricultural and farm organizations
who have been fighting off certain
phases Of railroad legislation.
The farmers, according to the best
information l can get, are opposed to
federal regulation Of interstate bus and
truck business because they feel the
proposed legislation will hamper farm
to-market hauling. suspect that the
bus and truck group have persuaded
the farm representatives to oppose reg
ulatory measures for busses and trucks
on the basis of misunderstanding.
have made numerous inquiries Of legis-
lative drafting experts and Of house
and senate leaders respecting the point
at issue and all have assured me that
the proposed federal regulation will in
no way apply to farm-to-market haul
ing.
While the point made here is not at
all important and when farm opera
tors of trucks understand 1t they will
doubtless shy away from the position
they have taken, 1t illustrates how one
organization will attract many follow
ers to It's ranks who actually ought not
be there.
Now as to the bonus proposition, 1t