Evening star., 1935-05-01
LOSS OF SUPPORT
BY NEW DEAL SEEN
Alteration of Sentiment on
Roosevelt in Last 80
i. Days Is Cited.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY LA" nENCLs
Many members Of Congress from dif-
ferent sections of the country, some
of whom have been away for q few
days visiting their constituents and
others Of whom have been studying
their correspondence with constituents.
are convinced that significant change
OF sentiment has developed in the
last 80 days toward the Roosevelt ad-
miniStration.
This information comes not merely
from Republicans, but Democrats as
well, and the general impression is
that complications with respect to
N. r. A., an increasing number Of
labor disputes, and the reaction to-
ward the huge spending program are
beginning to alarm the taxpayers.
Some members of Congress, speak
ing privately, expressed the opinion
that not 20 per cent Of the Demo-
Gratis were whole-heartedly in favor
of the New Deal, and that their readi-
ness to vote with the administration
was due to desire to go along with
the President until such time as 1t
was apparent that there had been
permanent reversal of opinion.
Talk Seen Canvass Result.
There are some members who feel
that the Presidents radio talk of last
Sunday night was the direct result Of
canvass Of opinion by administration
leaders, who felt that Mr.. Roosevelt
should rally his supporters In order
to impress Congress.
The latest reports are that while O
large number Of letters were received
at the White House, the response has
not been as large as with previous
radio talks by Mr.. Roosevelt. 1t is also
stated that the ratio Of replies Is
about to and that most of the op-
position is coming from persons who
feel their savings are about to be
destroyed as consequence OF the
holding company legislation, for which
the President now takes full respon-
sibility.
The lines of cleavage in Congress
inside the Democratic party have be-
gun to develop. The cotton crisis has
accentuated the discord But the re-
quest for additional powers to control
small businesses, and especially busi-
nesses that are really operated within
State and do not engage In inter-
state commerce as implied by the new
N. r. A. legislation. has stirred up
real opposition on Capitol Hill.
SouthernerS SOlidified.
1t is apparent that the Democratic
party is divided and the Jeffersonian
Democrats, led by Senators Carter
Glass and Byrd Of Virginia, are ac-
quiring more and more strength right
along. The anti-lynching bill debate
has tended to solidify the Southern
Democrats and to awaken them to
the dangers from their viewpoint of
an enlarging Federal Government.
The conversation among Senators
particularly would seem to indicate
that the time is not far distant when
the group which stands for States
rights will become known as the
Jeffersonian Democrats and the others
In the party will be regarded as So
cialist Democrats. The talk one hears
at the Capitol about the administra-
tion's Socialistic policies would seem
to emphasize the need for some such
terms OF distinction.
publicans took the name Progressive"
and occupied dominant part in the
making of legislation because they
were often Joined by members from
the opposite party. There are several
Issues on which group Of Jefferson
fan Democrats would find allies like
Senator Borah and others even of the
regular Republican group to aid them.
For the issues are becoming clearer
as the demands of the White House
for new legislation weakening the
power of the States are made known.
Thus the development Of o central
lied banking system which will
ultimately deprive the States Of any
voice in the banking world Is but one
of many examples of the trend toward
breaking down State powers in de-
fance of historic principles of the
Constitution.
Reaction on Federalism Seen.
As one Democratic Senator expressed
1t today, the whole question Of whether
America Is to have a Socialistic form
Of Government depends on whether
the people will express their resent
Ynent at the assumption of more and
more control by the Federal Govern
ment or whether they will accept it
passively. He seemed to think the
popular reaction against too much
federalism was on its way.
incidentally, while businessmen are
by no means good judges Of political
trends, the fact remains that the dele
gates to the Chamber of Commerce
Of the United States who are here this
week for their annual meeting are
much more indignant and bitter about
New Deal policies than at any time
since the Inauguration of Mr.. Roose-
welt. The chamber has had as its
president Henry Hartman. who has
been friendly to the New Deal, but it
is apparent that the next executive to
be chosen will have to be some one
who reflects the rising opposition in
side the chamber against the New
Deal policies.
Within a few weeks it is probable
industry and business, which several
months ago through chosen COM
mittees expressed desire to CO.
operate with the administration, only
to find that the New Deal didn't want
their advice or suggestions, will now
be found in open warfare with the
administration, all of which will prob
ably intensity the fight between the
Socialists and the remaining Demo-
Gratis" as Carter Glass named the
group in which he classifies himself.