, 1935-03-18
WASHINGTON
by George DurnO

Sock n power trust qualities him
for instant admittance to the CCCl
as a master technician. He proved
once more he knows how to start a
backfire without getting too en-
broiled in the flames.
When the president renewed his
demand that congress abolish utili-
ties holding companies he was ell
seriousness. But a lot more may be
read into that message. IT afforded
him an excellent opportunity TO
champion the masses against wall
Street" without personally becom-
ing involved In the national politi-
cal row kicked UP by Long. Cough
lin a. co.
FDR got immediate results. At the
instigation Of that veteran Progress
sive. George w. Norris. Of Nebraska,
the Federal Trade Commission Is TO
run an inquisitive finger into the
propaganda mill set loose by the
utilities interests TO defeat the
Wheeler Rayburn bill. which would
sentence holding companies 70 more
or less painful death five years
hence.
Lineup-Dignity Of the White
House office precludes its occupant
from getting on the stump and tear
ing hair with such spokesmen OF
the malcontents as Kingfish LONG
and Father Coughlin. II Is a fact
nevertheless that attack on the New
Deal from the left wing has hurt
plenty and the raspingly rhetorical
voice Of General Hugh johnson has
failed TO constitute a complete an
Swer /.
So President Roosevelt took a.
short cut to kill two birds with a
single brickbat. His championship
Of withholding company legislation
reaffirmed previous administration
promises and at the same time stir
red up a congressional furore over
abuses the general public is said TO
be suffering at the hands OF the
well known vested interests.
IT doesn't take a crystal ball TO.
foretell what the Federal Trade
Commission will find about the
sources Of the thousands Of letters
that have poured in on congress urg-
ing defeat Of the Rayburn- Wheeler
bill. A week ago Monday this col
umn outlined them. And when the
commission reports. congressional
progressives automatically will be
lined up TO help fight the White
House battle.
Weaying-Some Of Mr.. Roosevelt's
friends have suggested he go on the
radio himself and make general
answer to current attacks from the
extreme left wing. Others have inti-
mated ii might be well for him TO
cancel his forthcoming Florida fish
ing trip and stand close guard on
the situation.
Best information Ia that both Sug-
gestions will be ignored. FDR will
leave II up to General johnson and
others to toss s~lliterative invective
at the opposition ver the radio. The
presidential fishing party should be
well under way in a week.
+, Meanwhile the president in his.
holding company message had made
another large gesture in the little
fellows direction. New Deal lieuten-
ants viii veav 1t into the general
scrap with the left bank.
Privacy-When Senator Pat Har-
rison OF Mississippi. chairman OF the
Finance committee, first tried 70
pour cold water on the idea OF
bringing UP repeal of the income tax
pink slip he had nc real idea the
senate would fail to follow the
houses action
What Pat was afeared Of vas the
interminable debate that will ensue
in the senate when the question Of
income tax publicly comes up. he
knew as well as the Capitol Hill re-
porters who made unofficial polls
that scarcely more than Is Sena-
tors are opposed to the general idea
OF closing the tax books 70 shopping
neighbors. He also knows those few
opponents, aided unconsciously by.
proponents Of modification without
complete repeal, Will be able 70 stir
UP a terrific amount Of time-kiling
talk.
Pink slip" repeal may prove TO be
an effective weapon for indirect fill
clustering against future New Deal
legislation. Watch for White House
opposition to take full advantage Of
II. There isn't any immediate dan
ger Of having your 1884 tax return
made public and both sides OF the
senate know this.
Shad0ws-A wine bottle used m
lieu Of a gavel called q recent Wash
ington initiation dinner to order.
Although the speeches Of the eve
ming received scant attention In the
public prints they o o viii serve as
the basis for a sustained drive on the
administration for a little more air
In our currency and credit system.
Senator Cotton Ed" Smith Of
South Carolina. as master Of cere-
monies. introduced Representative
T. Alan Goldsborough OF Maryland
TO offer one Of the keynotes.
o~oldsborouzh attacked the pres