The Omaha guide., 1935-05-18

In the words Of Time, President
Roosevelt, OF his return from the
bahamas seemed to White
House observers Amos as tired,
representative as when he went
away Three mutually aggravat-
ing circumstances had helped to
make him so. They were:
Congressional delay, caused
by a nunwieldy party MAORI v.
lax leadership and the customary
RIGHTEOUSNESS Of Congressman at
Presidential mid-term.
2.-Steadily holder hammering
at his Legislative program BY
critics.
Throwing confusion among
plain citizens as to the direction
of the New Deal program, grow
ing doub as to whether the
President himself knew where it
was leading"
In an attempt to make these
circumstances a lit le less aggra-
waiting, President Roosevelt sat
down in a White House study,
stared at a microphone, and
made his first "fireside chat in
many months to the American
people.
First part of the talk was con-
fined entirely to generalities. The
President said that the public at
large was feeling much more
confident hat recovery was on
the way; something that, in view
Of most commentators, is highly
debatable. He then said that
Congress is making distinct pro-
gress; something that is likewise
debatable.
Finally he got down to specific
item. These were in the same
nature of a nanswer to a new bull
letin Of the National Association
Of Manufacturers, which said that
the threat of New Deal reform
measures was all that blocked the
early appearance Of recovery.
On the NRA, the President said
that he wished it continued. He
asked that the measures whereby
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion would be given the authority
to regulate all transport, not Just
railroads; a bill to achieve this
has passed the Senate, now ponds
IN the House. TIE threw his weight
behind the Banking Bill, which
would give the Federal govern
ment almost absolute control over
all the nations banks, as the
utilities bill would give it absolute
control over all power and light
concerns, holding or operating.
And in conclusion, he said, "Nev-
er since my Inauguration in
March, 1888, have | felt SO IN
mistakably the atmosphere Of re-
covery."
Response to the talk tended 10
be less favorable to the President
than it has been in the past. Most
newspapers and business men
seem to favor the Transportatio
measure, most want a modified
Mr. Acontlnued. But the Bank
ing and Utilities Bills have no
friends in industry or commerce.
Further, it is believed that they
have few real friends in Congress.
outside Of left-wing groups; many
Congressman will vote for them
simply because they are Admins
tration; backed, will pay them
public tribute and at the same
time will hold severe private
private doubts as to their wis
dom.
In brief, the gap between the
Administration and industry is
now widening. Direct criticism of
the President, which was almost
entirely lacking a year ago, is ap-
pear1ng now IN many quarters.
Business spokesman who former
ly made polite objections to bills
and named no names, are laying
the blame at the White House
door, r saying that Mr.. Roose-
welt is running the show and must
accept the responsibility if the
tent collapses.
As for the future Of legislation,
there is a good chance that Con-
gress will not be SO eager to pass
Presidential measures as it was in
the past. The Social Security Bill,
III the reasonable and moderate
form in which it passed the
House, will probably 90 through;
many business leaders endorse it.
1t is probable that a modified
NRA will be continued, with prin-
cipal stress laid on hours and
wage provisions, and that the
Transportation Bill will be pas
sed. But most think that the
Banking and Utilities Bills will
either be beaten or will be 50 re-
written as to make them hardly
recognizable to their original
sponsors.
Quo
It has often been said, during
the past five sour years, that the
way to solve a depression is to.