The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-26
LIBERTY LEAGUE
GIVES CONGRESS
RECOVERY TIPS
Demands Slash in Expenses,
Return of Power to
Legislature.
By THiicd Prcss

By THitCd Pros
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26-The
American Liberty League gave Con-
gress a thought for the New Year
today by announcing a constitu-
tional recovery program ranging
from demand for abrupt curtail-
ment Of government expenditures
to proposal for a review Of execu-
tive "usurpation" of legislative
power.
The announcement said that In
formulating recommendations de
signed to put the nations house in
order" the league rejected the
"demagogical theory that legisla-
ton provides cures for all ills"
The program was described as de-
signed to encourage the legisla-
tive branch to reaSsert its consti-
tutional prerogatives."
Program Is Outlined
The 12-point program summar-
lied
/. THE BUDGET - Appropria-
tons are the most important mat
ter Of the coming session and bear
vitality upon the preservation of
American institutions. Treasury de-
f1cits should be brought to an abb
rupt end by reducing expenditures
to the level of receipts.
2. RELIEF-A moderate appro-
priation properly may be made for
direct relief for a limited period
with provision thereafter for loans
to such states as are unable 10 as
sumo their full responsibilities for
the care Of the needy.
3. PUBLIC WORKS Expenditure
OF government funds for boondog-
Cling and for local improvements
under the guise of work -relief should
be halted. Provision wisely may be
made for a program of productive
public works on a greatly reduced
but somewhat more extensive scale
than in former years.
Tax Revision Demanded
q. INSTRUMENTATION of reve-
nue. laws should be undertaken with
a view to the elimination of in
equities. Provisions of the 1885 act
in which the taxing power is used
to accomplish social detectives
rather than to raise revenue should
be repealed.
5. MONETARY POLICIES - In
anticipation OF the expiration in
January, 1887, of three-year emer-
gency powers granted The President
In connection with the adjustment
of the gold content of the dollar and
the use gold sterilization fund,
the Congress should plan for a re-
vision Of monetary laws along sound
lines.
s, GOVERNMENT AND BUSI-
NESS-StastiStic evidence indi-
Gates that recovery was stimulated
by the Supreme Court decision in
validating the NRA. The emaScu-
lated, useless and expensive national
industrial recovery act should be
allowed to lapse at its expiration
on April l, 1886.
D'dth OClAhCHCt ALLdEkeu
T. PUBLIC UTILITIES - The
death sentence" provision applying
to public utility holding companies
in the act of the 1885 session should
be repealed. The activities of the
Tennessee Valley Authority should
be curbed.
s. SOCIAL SECURITY-Fur
study should be made of provisions
of the new Social Security Act
which places upon the Federal gov
eminent responsibility for unem-
ployment and old-age Insurance
which the 1882 Democratic plat
. form declared should be dealt with
entirely under state laws.
9. AGRICULTURE-In the view
of many lawyers competent to ex-
press an opinion the AAA is pat
emily unconstitutional. The Agri-
cultural Adjustment Act and other
laws relating to agriculture should
be completely REVISED with a view to
the elimination Of methods in con-
t1lct with the Constitution.
Canadian Treaty Raped
TO- RECIPROCAL TARIFFS
The Canadian trade agreement IL
Illustrates Strikingly the extent of the
legislative power which has been
delegated by the Congress to the ex-
ecutive. Congress should regain a
veto power over treaties with foreign
nations.
II. EXECUTIVE USURPATION-
The entire field of executive usur-
patton of legislative power should
be reviewed.
IL. PRESERVATION OF THE
CONSTITUTIONAL Congress has a
definite responsibility for the pres
ervation of our form of government
under the Constitution A method
is provided for the consideration of
amendments which are in harmony
with its fundamental principles.
Amendments which would over
throw the dual form of government
or break down the division of au-
thority among the executive. legiSla-
tive and judicial branches are out
side this category. They would
make possible substitution of dicta-
torship for democracy.