Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-10-03
ROOSEvElT'S JOURNEY
SEEKS POPULAR SUPPORT
BIG BUSINESS HOSTILE
LIBERTY LEAGUE LAWYERS
TO DEFY NEW LAWS
SUPREME COURT TO MEET
REPUBLICANS GOT THE JUMP
PLAN PARTY STRATEGY

aS " J0NA
ney is viewed in some quarters rs an
adroit manoeuvre on his part to cap
ture public attention and to take the
edge of the Q attacks that
are being launched against him and
his pohcies. Political commentators
agree that he is on the defensive for
the first time and that he must take
some o to justify his administra-
ton. They point out that the political
situation indicates that his reelection
depends upon the support Of the peo-
pie west OF the Mississippi river and
that his public appearances in that
region. wen II few, will afford an OPP
portumty to guage public sentiment.
OF course, any one who has kept
up events in and about the capital
and kept an eye on the nation as a
whole admits that criticism OF the
Chief Executive Is more audible than
before. 1t Is usually the case in the
third year Of any administration but
now with much OF his program as
sailed as unconstitutional" and bust
ness very definitely throwing its
enormous influence and resources
against HIM, Mr.. Roosevelt must of a
necessity, reach out to assure the
continued popular support that has
been his main source of strength.
Wheather the rank and file retain its
former child-like faith in his pur-
poses and sincerity car only be an
swered by the battle at the polls
next year.
Big business Is wide open in its
hostility to the New Deal. Quite re-
Gently the American Liberty League
gave out the unanimous opinion Of
fffty-etght lawyers who joined In
holding the Wagner labor relations
act unconstitutional with the naive
statement that the committee inclu-
ded persons publicly known to be
Democrats Observers Immediately
saw that most OF the lawyers were
paid by huge corporations and Ques-
toned the propriety OF the opinion
on a question which the Supreme
Court must pass on.
In fact. because of its apparent
motive to discredit the act the"free
opinion" OF so many distinguished
lawyers in absolute agreement will
have little effect except to warn the
public against paying too much at
~tention to such a thinly disguised ef-
fort to influence the conclusion OF
the Supreme Court for which the law
yers profess to have such respect.
Another move along the same gen.
eral idea comes from the United
States Chamber Of Commerce, which
announces a referendum OF member
organizations and 100000 individual
business men. They will be asked to
give their opinion of the legislation
since President Roosevelt took Of
fee. While the announced purpose
was to get a frank expression from
the business interests the document
submitted was SO worded that the
answer expected was plain. Reciting
many laws that amount to depart
ures from TRADITIONAL ideas OF gov.
eminent the business men are re-
quested to say "yes" or mo" to poll.
cies inherent In such measures.
go
A serious side to the antagonism
Is that business seems intent upon q
defiant course toward policies which
are not liked. There will be no acep-
lance Of their validity or general
compliance with their terms. Conse-
~quently the antagonism now existing
|between the government and what Is
called business will become intensi
fed as the struggle continues and
might possibly lead to more strin.
gent regulations If the administra
ton wins q conclusive victory at the
polls next fall. Moreover, the present
encouraging upturn In conditions car
be thwarted by such a fight and re
covery postponed by Its results.
Decisions of the Supreme Court al
its term. beginning next month, are
expected to determine whether
amendment to the Constitution will
he a real issue next year. With i'm
iportant New Deal laws scheduled fol
a hearing and decisions or some o.
them expected before Christmas The
opinions OF the Court are sure tt
give a accurate lineup on the powers
OF the Federal Government to NEE
what advocates OF the New Deal cal
present needs OF the people of the
country. If the decisions narrowly re
strict the power OF the Federal gov
ernment to handle situations where
States have been unable to do 80
you may take 1t for granted that be
fore long a very definite amendment
to the Constitution will he proposed
to extend Federal authority.
In fact, the Republicans got the
Jump on the President in this CRY
about Saving the Constitution.
There was before the country no pro
posal to amend the document but on
ly q general conviction that the Pres
ident might urge n II necessary tt
secure adequate powers to make of
fective New Deal reforms. The ad
versarles OF the Chief Executive be
gan to talk about abolishing Consti
tutional govrnment and ~destroyin,
the very form Of our government 1t
self with the result that many PEG
pie are convinced that such a under
taking is underway.
80
It is important to realize tina
there Is no way in this country t.
test the constitutionality OF any Law
until tina law has been enacted h,