The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-01-04

crossroads and
that on those occasions he necessar-
Ily 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
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 a 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-
ities and the question of liQuidating or
continuing to expand such programs as
that of loans to home owners and ex-
tension of NRA.
Summed up, it would appear, superb
cially at least, that Mr.. Roosevelt is
definitely at the crossroads. 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 fluctuation 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,
in 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 a 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
uAu SCudJcs consequently Tie QucSllOH
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
mendous numbers in line. Thus far,
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
win 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 If the wild horses break loose
from the hitching post once. the cur
rent session of congress may provide
much more action than results.
Present plans Of the Republican lead
ership, if there are enough Republicans
left to make their
Soldiers presence felt, indi-
Lobby Strong cate that the Demo-
cratic commanders
need not expect any help from that
quarter in pulling hot chestnuts out