The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-04-09

take Lne Dig SUCK from Tie
two. That, they will say is
what the country wants-and
what Congress wants.
Leaders. themselves, will certify
to this need by starting a procession
to the White House. They are not
staging on this occasion the vel
come home parade of a year ago
when Congressman swarmed down
TO Union Station, little shame
faced, behind a brass band, to SYM
bolize their dependence on the Chief
Executive. But the legislative situa-
ton is more muddled now than it
was year ago.
Three months Of the session have
passed and only one major Admin
istration measure has been enacted
the S4,880 100000 works-relief bill
Damned UP are the social security
bill, which soon will go before the
House; NRA legislation; the public
utilities bill: the banking bill; the
communications bill; railroad leg
islatiOn, the Wagner labor disputes
measure, the pure food and drug
bill. war profits bill, and tax legis-
lation.
Take Advantage of Confusion
Calling for a decision by the
President also are the soldier bonus
bill and bills of an inflationary
type such as silver reconciliation
measures.
Opponents of the Presidents pro-
gram, obstructionists, and powerful
private interests have taken advan-
tage of the long fight over the
work-relief bill, and the resulting
confusion of leaders, to get in some
effective ticks.
Once again is heard the cry, made
more seductive by the peculiar type
of spring fever emanating from the
Potomac loWlands:
Let's drop several controversial
measures for this session, pass one
or two other bills and then let Con-
gress go home and give business a
chance"
Important Decisions Awaited
This cry is raised about this time
every year-and frequently it has its
effect.
President Roosevelt will hear it.
Consequently, ne returns to Wash
ington at a critical time and faces
decisions about his program that are
most important 1t is generally
agreed that measures which are
stricken from the program now
must stand aside for long time to
come.
For, II tradition holds, little will
be accomplished at the next seS-
sion, since the coming elections will
be uppermoSt. and politics will
overShadow everything else.
The eve of President Roosevelt's
return found enemies of the pure
food and drug bill, a reform to
which the President pledged him
self some time ago. successfully
stdetracking the measure. This is
the sort of sabotage that will go on
henceforth. it appears. unless the
President assumes command.
Southern conservative leaders
would gladly see parts of the Roose-
welt program shelved, it is reported.
Social Security at Stake
The Presidents first problem is
the social security bill which, next
to the work-relief bill, lies closest
to the public heart. Leaders will
ask Mr.. Roosevelt to decide wheth-
er this measure should be put
through the House under a gag rule,
or whether they should risk the
chance of amendments from the
floor. sponsored by Townsend plan
advocates and others, to increase
the pensions provided.
This bill will become the center
of the next big fight in Congress
and leadership will be needed
If the President desires the bank
ing bill to be enacted. it is obvious
he must take a hand. For it was
discovered today that Senate leaders
are talking about dividing it up and
postponing for further study provi-
sionS designed to transform the
Federal Reserve system into a CEN
trail banking system, regarded as the
heart of the bill.
A decision on the bonus bill. re-
Gently passed by the House, will be
required by the President. Senate
leaders plan to see him soon to find
out whether they should seek a COM
promise. and if so. of what sort. or
whether they should permit the
Patman greenback bill to go
through and kill il with a veto.