The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-01-04
Iationa1 Topics Interpreted

that on those occasions he neceSSar-
lily had to choose between the right
and the left. They contended with con-
siderable justification that he either
had to be conservative or radical But
somehow the President arranged to fol-
low both roads at once. AT least that
conclusion has been reached by those
who classify themselves as liberals.
Now, observers are saying again
that the President has reached the
crossroads and must choose between
the right and the left. With the con-
vening of congress there has come for
ward the usual number-perhaps l
should say more than the usual num-
ber-of proposals for radical or con-
sentative legislation as the case may
be. There are dozens, almost hundreds,
of bills advocating nostrums and crack
pot ideas which cannot possibly do
more than take up time and keep the
government printing Office busy at the
expense Of the taxpayers in printing
the bills themselves. There are In all
of this mess as well many pieces of
worthwhile legislation as well as the
proposals bearing earmarks of draft
ing under White House guidance.
In addition there are close to six
dozen presidential appointments upon
which the senate must act Some of
these names are of individuals Of
known radical tendencies. Some others
are recognized as equally conservative.
1t will be the senate's job to pass upon
these nominations which, some observ-
ers insist, represent perhaps the widest
variation in economic views that has
ever been sent to the Capitol for con-
firmation Of appointment.
AS corollary for this confused state,
there are the growing differences of
opinion, based on presidential policy
proposals, as to whether the govern
ment should attempt to provide relief
through work as Mr.. Roosevelt desires
or should turn to a plain, unadulter-
ated dole. There Is the demand from
the White House for legislation put
ting the federal government further
into competition with business by ex-
pansion of publicly owned power facil- |
titles and the question of liQuidating or
continuing to expand such programs as
that of loans to home owners and ex-
tension of MIRA.
Summed up, it would appear, superb |
cially at least, that Mr.. Roosevelt is |
definitely at the crossroads. l am told |
by legislative leaders, however, that |
the administration program thus far |
advanced again does not commit Mr.. |
Roosevelt definitely to follow either the |
radical or conservative pathways. They |
point out that there is an unusual adj
mixture of two schools of economic
thought represented In legislation bear
ing presidential approval and their
thought seemed to be that Mr.. Roose-
welt will avoid being forced into either |
camp at this time.
1t has been most interesting to OBJ |
serve the fiuctuation of temperature |
among the various |
More Action New Dealers. Prior |
Than Results? to the last election
they were very low
in spirit. Many of them were saying, |
I'm private at least, that Mr.. Roosevelt |
was getting out of hand as far as they |
were concerned and was turning GER |
tainly toward the conservative school |
of thought. At the same time among |
conservative members Of the admin |
istration and in congress and to con-
siderable extent among business lead |
ers, there was growing feeling that
they had witnessed the phenomena OF
having their own ears pinned back just
when they thought they were on the
upgrade.
Following this change of trends, |
along comes the mass of White House
legislation, some of which pleases the
New Dealers and some of which pleases
the conservatives. Each finds fault
with that portion Of the program that |
is reasonably satisfactory to the other.
This contrariety of opinion extends |
into the ranks of members of the house |
and senate. Consequently. the question
to which the observers are now seek
ing an answer is whether Majority |
Leader Robinson in the senate and the |
Democratic wheel-horses In the house
are going to be able to keep their ire
there has been no word from the ma.
jority leaders either In the house or
the senate indicating any doubt on
their part that the administration whip |
will fail to drive recalcitrant members
into the proper alleys. Unbiased OBJ
servers are taking the position, how
ever, that time alone will tell. And |
it may be added with some emphasis
that IL the wild horses break loose
from the hitching post once, the cur
rent session of congress may provide
much more action than results.
agr =. i
Present plans of the Republican lead
ership, If there are enough Republicans
left to make their
Sotdters presence felt, indi-
Lobby Strong cate that the Demo
cratic commanders |
need not expect any help from that |
quarter in pulling hot chestnuts out
of the fire. For example, understand |
that the soldiers bonus question will |
be used by the Republicans as. a sort
of prod with which to disturb the ma
jority party. 1t seems definite that the /
house and senate will pass legislation
for immediate payment Of the bonus.
1t may not be program for full pay
ment of the sum that is not due until
1916, but the pressure is so strong that
some action will be Forthcoming.
If Mr. Roosevelt sticks to his guns |
and yetoes any bonus legislation ex-
cepting that proposing to care for the
destitute ex-soldiers, sailors and ma
ripaS there Is nnOu0h strength IN CON