Evening star., 1935-12-11
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Political leaders are increasingly con-
scious that the Townsend plan is going
to be a real issue during the coming ses-
sion of Congress and in the 1886 cam
paign. The movement has now attained
literally Nationwide proportions and is
being promoted on organized lines rem
iniscent of Anti-Saloon League days. In
many parts of the country members of
Congress are beginning to realize that
their fateS may be decided by their at
titude toward the program to pay 5000
a month to all persons who have reached
the age of go. From Alabama comes
word that veteran Democratic Repre-
sentative George Huddleston, who led
last years fight against the death SEN
tence" provision of the holding COM
panies bill, faces serious opposition for
reelection from fellow Birminghamian
who ardently eSpouSeS the Townsend
plan. In Kalamazoo, Mich, a Repub-
lican Townsend planner recently walked
of with the primary nomination for the
House by majority over all rivals and
a plurality of 5000 over his nearest OPP
ponent.
4 r.
Robert Lincoln OBrien, chairman Of
the United States Tariff Commission, is
much impressed by information he re-
ceives from New England as to the mag
nitude of the Townsend crusade. From
a relative in Massachusetts, he has just
had q letter reading: To-day finds me
at home. where I have been confined
since Monday with severe cold and
touch of asthma. However, hope to be
back on my Job again by Monday. My
lob Is pick and shovel on the streets.
At "a this is not the easiest work, where
one has never had to do hard work.
I get four days q week and receive $l3
for it. But my larger reason Tor resting
up is to get myself into shape for to-
night. I am president of the Townsend
Club here, and our membership has
grown to a point where we must move
to larger quarters. 1t just seems as if
every one wants to line up with this
movement, as we'll they might, for it is
those who have reached the bend in
the road"
4 X
Continuing. Chairman OBrien's cor
respondent said: I'm Springfield recently
DR.. Townsend spoke to about 5000 peo-
pie inside the armory and to at least
1zUUU OuIolOC OII q COlO
night, with loud speakers to bring them
the address. The ovation was tre-
mendous. Our Republican Representa-
tive, Mr.. Wigglesworth, for whom have
always voted has thus far ducked out
on the Townsend plan and avoided our
meetings. But 1t won't be long now until
he will be obliged to show his hand. If
he is smart and wishes to return to
Washington he will indorSe this move
ment and need not feel ashamed at
doing so, for 1t is going over just as sure
as there Is a sun in the heavens"
Conspicuous in President Roosevelt'S
Chicago farm address was his failure to
forecast future legislative plans in case
the Supreme Court knocks out the
A. A. A. But political observers find
pretty plain indication of the Presidents
intentions In the emphasis he placed on
the problem of Stabili2ing agriculture
and preventing wild swings in prices. He
defined this as the job of the Federal
Government rather than OF the 48 sep
arate States, because Of the nationally
grown crops of many kinds" that are in
volved. There was no doubt of the COM
plete warmth of the Presidents recep-
ton by farm leaders, and the Democratic
high command is now convinced that
New Deal fortunes in the corn, wheat
and cattle belts are more solid than ever.
F. D. r. in addressing the farmers rang
i q noW change On the old Aaw about IL