Evening star., 1935-07-08
THE POLITICAL
MILL
By C.. Could Lincoln.

gress. 1t holds plenty of dynamite.
New Deal measures. in the form desired
by the President and the New Dealers,
are in danger. The House, which has
already slapped the administration on
the wrist in connection with the passage
of the public utility holding company
bill, Is taking up the Tennessee Valley
Authority bill. It's Military Affairs Com
mittee has amended the bill in a way
that pains the New Dealers and is
declared to be Objectionable to the
President. The Senate must either
send the holding company bill to con-
ference or agree to the House amend
ment. which eliminates the now famous
death sentence" clause. The vote, 1t
is predicted, will be very close. The
House Ways and Means Committee
begins it's consideration Of the Presi-
dents tax revision program. Commit
tees of the House and Senate are ex-
pected to tackle lobby Investigations to
determine whether the power trust has
borne down heavily on members OF Con-
greSs and whether the administration
has sought to influence congressional
votes by threatening to withdraw or
promising to give relief" money for the
people of this or that State or district.
There is, indeed. promise OF several
kinds of fireworks.
Il \ \ 4
It is not without some significance
that the assaults of Democrats on New
Deal measures are becoming more nu-
merous and more severe Only because
of this Democratic revolt in the House
was it possible for the holding company
he n q m q
tasteful to the President. Now comes
the T. v. A. bill and more House Demo-
Gratis to assault the Senate measure
which pleases the New Dealers. Repre-
sentative Andrew Jackson May of Ken
lucky, a Democratic member Of the
House Military Affairs Committee which
statement lashing the T. V. A. He
considers the T. v. A. dangerous So
cialiStic and economic folly and worse"
He believes the bill as reported by the
Military Affairs Committee is the lesser
Of two evils. however. Mr.. May says
that the committee bill broadens very
considerably the powers of the T. v. A.
in way he would not approve. He
continues. that seemingly such a meas
ure should be applauded by the New
bcdlcIS. 1llSJcdu, LllcIc Ids
Ollie denunciation" of the bill. Why.
asks Mr.. May, and he answers:
1T is because the House bill, as re-
ported, makes T. v. A. finances subject
'after July /. 1856 to the same audit
and control of the controller general as
is imposed on other Government agen-
cies, and looks to less dishonest power
yardstick by requiring T. " A. to con-
form to a uniform cost accounting Sys-
tenn, to be prescribed by the Federal
Power Commission.
1T is because the House bill, as re-
ported. prohibits T. v. A. latter July !,
1937-two years hence from selling
surplus power or chemicals below the
cost of production: precludes T. v. AS
duplication of existing privately owned
transmission lines providing for their
acquisition by T. V. A., and expressly
forbids acquisition by T. v. A. of land
not actually necessary to carry out plans
and projects actually decided upon
What is so vicious in these stipu-
1ations?
What have honest administrators of
an honest program to fear?
What is retarded except deceit and
conflscation and tyranny"
If this was the statement of Repub-
lican member of the House, it might be
charged up to partisan politics. 1t
comes, however, from Democrat. There
will be lot of other statements and
speeches from many other Democrats
attacking the T. v. A. before the bill has
been passed in the House. The T. v. A.
is one of the pet projects of President
Roosevelt.
Out in Cleveland, Ohio where the late
President Calvin Coolidge was nominated
in 1924, Republican regional" meet
ing is getting under way today. It has
been sponsored by George H. Bender,
leader of political faction in Cleve-
land. where political factions have plenty
of rows. The fact that Bender launched
regional meeting" of Republicans at
q time when Republican National Com
mittee members and other leaders were
planning to hold conference for this
region next September has tended to
place the present meeting under sus-
picion OF being a personally conducted
affair for the enhancement of Mr.. Ben
ders own prestige. Anyway, Bender
has kept at it. despite the fact that some
Of the Republican leaders in Ohio, Mich
igan, Pennsylvania and other States in
vited to participate have turned o cold
shoulder.
None of the Republicans are anxious
to throw cold water on any Republican
meeting. designed to stir up enthusiasm
for the party and against the Roosevelt
administration. The members of the
national committee, including Chairman
Fletcher. have been forced into posi-
tion of at least tacit approval. Fletcher
has sent a telegram to be read to the
Cleveland conference, wishing it sue
cess. But unless the Cleveland meeting
proves far more Of a success than some
Of the Republicans believe it will be, the
plans for September meeting in one
of these States may go forward
The Midwest Grass Roots" Repub-
lican Conference. at Springfield. Ill.,
proved a success from a Republican
point of view. 1t is difficult to hit fast
pace and keep it up through a lot Of
similar conferences. AS at Springfield,
the Republicans are to talk publicly only
about party principles and issues for
the next campaign. There are to be no
boosts for presidential candidates. None
of the would-be candidates for the presi-
Dental nomination are expected to at
tend. A year from today, however. the
Republicans will have nominated their
candidate for President. The G. O. p.
National Convention is expected to take
place in June of next year. 1t seems
hot IL or