The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-05-24

ator Robinson of Arkansas, the Demo-
cratic leader, rose
Robinson In his place in the
the Kew Man senate and present
ed for the Congress
Sional Record a summary of accom-
plishments of the first regular session
of congress under the New Deal. The
vast amount of legislation enacted was
analysed and its Importance to the
country set forth. The one thing that
was lacking in that summary was any
reference to the Herculean effort of
Senator Robinson. He took no credit
for himself although 1t was every
where realized that Senator Robinson
had been the key man in accomplish
ing that great amount Of work.
Congress still will be In session on
June 16, 1895. Senator Robinson, Of
course, will not present summary Of
legislative enactments by the current
session until the closing day-and your
guess is as good as mine as to when
that will be. But after virtually FIVE
months of the current session, observ-
ers cannot help looking back to see
what has been done. Comparisons can
hardly be avoided.
We find from the records at the
Capitol that total Of fifty laws of
public character have completed pas
sage through congress and have re-
ceived Presidential consideration. That
number appears large-an average of
ten pieces of legislation month-but
when the nature Of the bills them
selves is examined, a contrary conclu-
sion must be reached.
l have reported to you heretofore
some details of how congress has been
balky. Undeniably, there has been
stalling and delays accountable only
In politics. There have been contro-
versies over entirely minor and incon-
seQuential matters. Individual repre-
sentatives and senators having no
claims to leadership either from abil-
ity or seniority have been able to
block enactments in fashion almost
unknown except where congress has
been at loggerheads with the Chief
Executive.
Through all of these, think 1t is
fair to say that Senator Robinson has
been the most vigorous fighter in be-
half of the New Deal Of any who
maintains a position of prominence in
the present administration. Instead
Of receiving credit, pats on the back,
as he did year ago, the Arkansas
senator has been receiving some
wholly unwarranted kicks in the
pants. If there is to be goat
in congress through the failure of
some of the highly controversial New
Deal legislation it Is liable to be Joe
Robinson. If such is the result 1t will
demonstrate better than anything else
the ingratitude of politics because OBJ
servers agree that except for Sena-
tor Robinson the senate would be out
of hand and President Roosevelt real
ly would have serious problem as re-
CARDS the enactment of his program.
1t is my own belief that Senator Rob-
inson deserves all Of the acclaim
which the New Dealers can heap upon
him instead of criticism that Is crop
ping up here and there.
Senator Robinson's job has been
made much more difficult than
senate leaders job ought to be by con-
slant messing from brain trust quarters.
BY the same token Senator McNary,
of Oregon, who carries the title of
Republican leader, has had numerous
opportunities to give prominence to
Republican doctrines. But Senator
McNary has been just as quiet as Sem
ator Robinson has been active.
So, when it is shown that only four
important pieces of legislation have
passed congress this
Senate session the blame,
Is Balky if there be blame,
must be attributed
not to the Democratic leadership, but
to an undercurrent of objection to
New Deal principles. The house I'M
der the speakership Of Representative
Byrns Of Tennessee has performed as
the house usually does where there Is
a preponderant majority by one party.
It has obeyed Presidential instruc-
lions and has put through bills about
as the White House desired. The OBJ
stacle has been the senate and in all
probability 1t will continue to be trou-
blesome ground for the administra-
ton.
Borrowing the favorite phrase Of a
one-time Democratic candidate for
President, LET us look at the record"
Up to the present four bills Of national
scope have passed. The five billion
dollar works relief legislation was
passed after delay of two months;
legislation extending the life Of the
Reconstruction Finance corporation
was not controversial and was passed
almost by unanimous vote, and the adj
ditional appropriation of $1,750,000,-
600 for the Home Owners Loan cor
poration brought little objection in its
course through congress. The other
national piece of legislation that has
been finished is the soldiers bonus,