Evening star., 1935-12-29
Congress May Steer Its New Courses
By Decisions of the Supreme Court

Iarm tenants 70 puy farms, ana Sena-
tor Wagner has new housing bill.
Despite the fact, that the third
Michigan congressional district re-
Gently elected by large vote q sup
porter OF the Townsend s200-a-month
old-age pension plan, the opinion ex-
pressed by returning members Of Con-
gress Is that the Townsend bill will
not have a look-in at the approach
ing session. The administration has
put through its social security act,
and it will stand on that 1t has no
love for the fantastical Townsend
plan. In the Senate 1t Is said not
more than one vote would be cast for
the Townsend plan If 1t came to the
floor. In the House, the measure
probably would have more support.
The Townsend organization has
grown by leaps and bounds. The
chances are, however, that not even
in the House could the measure be
brought to the floor for a vote. A
motion to discharge committee from
further consideration Of q bill-the
Townsend bin, for example--now re-
quires majority Of the House to get
before that body. The Townsend plan,
therefore, seems destined to come to
the attention Of Congress at later
date-if 1t does not sink into obscure
ty in the next year or two.
Not until the Presidents message
on the State of the Union is delivered
TO Congress will it be possible to know
definitely what legislative proposals
the Chief Executive has In mind for
the coming session. This message.
which is either read or delivered by
the President IN person usually on
the first or second day OF the opening
of a session, may be delayed until
next week. Congress meets on Fri
day. An immediate adjournment out
OF respect to the memory of Senators
Long Of Louisiana and Schall Of
Minnesota, on the Senate side, and
out of respect to the memory Of mem
bers of the House who have died dur
ing the recess on the House side, Is
in prospect for the opening day. The
President, OF course, could come on
Saturday to deliver his message, or
send 1t by messenger. The inclination
seems to be, however, to let the mes
sage go over until the following Mon
day.
His second message, the budget
message, is not expected until the day
after he delivers his message on the
state Of the Union. There will be
tremendous interest In the budget
message. 1t will contain the estimates
OF appropriations and receipts for the
fiscal year 1897.
Like other sessions Of Congress just
prior to a national campaign, the
coming session has its political impli-
cations. The halls Of Congress will
be used as a sounding board. Cam
paign issues will be raised and dis
cuSsed-none more important prob
ably than the spending program of the
Roosevelt administration. The Repub-
licans are intent on making as much
Of that issue as possible.
Congress is overwhelmingly Demo-
cratic. The Democrats may be ex-
pected to rally strongly to the support
Of the Roosevelt administration. They
will have to seek reelection on the
record made by that administration.
They will have to seek reelection
along with the President. These facts
may be powerful influences in lining
the Democrats solidly in support of
the presidential program and in an
effort to choke of legislation and
leave Washington. The members will
be anxious to get back home to mend
their political fences.
The Republicans in Senate and
House are not in a position to offer
serious opposition. They are too few
in number. In the Senate they will
have only % seats out of the 90. How
ever, there are several potential Re-
publican presidential nominees among
them. Senator Borah of Idaho, SEN
ator Vandenberg of Michigan, Senator
McNary of Oregon and Senator Dick
inson OF Iowa are those most talked
about in this connection. Borah is
considered now a candidate in many
quarters. Vandenberg denies emphat-
ically that he has any presidential as
pirations.