Evening star., 1935-12-27

Reports of record-breaking holiday
trade all over the country ar the sea-
sons greetings that bring real cheer to
the White House and to other New Deal
quarters They are heralded as indlS-
putable harbingers that the depression is
about over. In many regions and
branches of business sales not only set
a high-water mark for any period since
1929 but equaled, and in some cases
exceeded. the biggest volume in earlier
wears. Many retail establishments In
consequence face 1886 with empty
shelves. Extensive replenishments Will
be the order of the day, foreshadowing
for many industries an extraordinarily
active Midwinter and early Spring sea
son. Democrats say the omnipresence OF
purchasing power, which Christmas dem
onstrated, is of inestimable political
value. With its prospective continuance
during the campaign period, they figure
the outlook for F. D. RS reelection will
be materially strengthened.
Admittedly the fly in the prosperity
ointment is the persistence OF widespread
unemployment. President Roosevelt re-
affirms that his relief program does not
contemplate extension of Federal work
aid beyond the $4,000, 1000, 900 grant to
care for $500, 900 jobless during the cur
rent fiscal year. Any further needs, he
insists, must be the sole responsibility OF
the States and their local subdivisions.
The White House does not accept Amer
ican Federation of Labor and other sta
tistics attesting that the Nations army
of unemployed totals 100000 or H.
100000. Mr.. Roosevelt contends 1t has
never yet been determined just what
and who are the unemployed" He
doubts, for example, whether man or
a woman who has part-time work OF any
kind and is temporarily sef-supportlng
can properly be listed as unemployed.
It was supposed some time ago that the
Federal authorities were going to tackle
the problem of taking a thoroughly re-
liable and official unemployment census
but no progress in this direction has come
to public knowledge. 1t remains the
administrator hope that with progress
sive business improvement private in
dustry will eventually absorb the en-
playable to a point at which persons
without work will be limited to the rel
atively small numbers which constitute
the country's normal jobless population.
X X X n
Signs multiply that Republicans are
going to concentrate to an unprece-
dented degree on a drive to capture the
next House of Representatives. 1t will
be tall order. They are in a present
minority of more than 200 and would
need to bring about turnover of some
lis seats to become boss of the show.
The G.. o. P. cannot hope to recover
supremacy in the Senate before the
elections Of 1910. Until January, 1941,
Democratic ascendancy in the upper
branch of Congress cannot possibly be
overthrown. With the House in their
hands, Republicans would be able to
exercise a check on New Deal legisla-
ton, even If Mr.. Roosevelt should obtain
q second term. Whether they mean It
or not, some Republican leaders actually
profess confidence that they can win the
House in 1886. Their hopes of required
gains are centered in the North and
East, where Roosevelt fortunes have un-
dergone slump, and in sections OF the
farming West where Triple-A and the
reciprocal tariff program do not enjoy
unalloyed popularity.
- Il n
All four Republican favorite sons now
out in front happen not to be native
sons Of their respective States. Gov.
Landon Of Kansas was born In Pennsyl.
vania. Col Knox Of Illinois first saw
the light of day In Massachusetts,. Sem
stor Borah Of Idaho Is asfhild OF Illinois