The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-08


flight from the dollars" or 1.-THE flight"
from any other currency about which
we have heard so much since the
World war.
We have heard and have seen sew
eral instances of this in our own cOun-
try. The faith of the American people
in their currency has been shaken sew
eral times Always. it has been re-
stored but with more or less difficulty.
Therefore, while the Supreme court
clarified the right of congress to man
age the currency l think there is no
doubt that it must fail this time as in
other times in exerting the same influ-
ence over the confidence of the people
in the currency they use.
The situation in congress in the last
few weeks has provided test for
President ROOsevelt's
Up to the political acumen. 1t
President has been far more
a test of his skill
than otherwise would have been the
case because for almost two years he
has had congress so obedent to his
command as to merit the description
of rubber stamp legislative body.
Now, however, the President is faced
with the necessity for political maneu-
vers of the highest order and upon the
results of his tactics much will de-
pend. He can cement the links of the
Democratic party or he can cause them
to disintegrate by the courses he fol-
lows.
Some curiosity has been aroused by
the fact that for the first time since he
became President, Mr.. Roosevelt omit
ted in several instances lately to send
administration drafts of bills for con-
gressional consideration. His practice
hitherto had been to have the bills
drafted in executive departments and
submitted with recommendation that
they be enacted in that form. Until
some of the factions in congress began
to feel their oats this plan worked very
well. A change has come over some of
them, however. and they are now in
sisting upon preparation of the legis-
lation themselves. 3
Another significant development
and this links to circumstances of sew
eral months ago-was the presentation
by Senator Wagner of New York of
bill to settle labor disputes. This bill
does not have administration approval.
Jpdoad ~ Sc o,,ito oaptrorx, in cnno Of
it's phases to the policies which Mr..
Roosevelt has sponsored in his deal
ings with organized labor. 1t seems
important, therefore, that Senator
Wagner. who for so long was regard
ed as Mr.. Roosevelt's alter ego in the
senate, should deliberately offer legis-
lation TO which the administration had
not agreed. With further reference to
Senator Wagner. who comes from the
Presidents home state of New York.
it is Interesting, even if unimpOrtant,
that Senator Wagner did not support
the President in the latters efforts to
force the S5,0O0000,000 work relief bill
through the senate. Since Senator
Wagner has been consistently New
Dealer many observers are asking with
some logic whether the New Deal sup
porters have begun to crack up.
It will be recalled that in asking for
an extension of the national industrial
recovery act for a
Extension periOd of two years,
of MIRA President Roosevelt
merely outlined in
his message the fundamentals of the
plan he was recommending. He carefully
avoided reference to any draft of such
bill. 1t occasioned some surprise
that this was so but closer analysis of
the situation should have developed
reasons therefor. Most of these rea-
sons are traceable directly to the cir
cumstances mentioned above, name
ly, the necessity for tactical skill in
maneuvering the political strength
available to the President.
Observers here generally are agreed
that Mr.. Roosevelt can turn on full
steam and hold powerful majority in
both house and senate. But, the ques-
ton is whether this is the wiser course
from a political standpoint. In this
connection the expression has been
heard several times lately among Dem
ocrats who have been regarded as
among the leaders that it might not
be well to prod stubborn mules too far.
The best information / can gather is
that while Mr. Roosevelt did not offer
draft of MIRA extension legislation,
bill will be forthcoming in couple
of weeks from the senate finance COM
,mittee that will. have had prior APP
prevail from the White House. Some
thing of the same course is scheduled
for the house side Thus, the picture
becomes complete. The fine Italian
hand of the administration comes into
view.
The story we get around Washington
is that this course of action will be
used more and more as a means of
avoiding open disputes and stubborn
ness on the floors of the house and SEN
ate. The legislation will be approved
by the White House but it will not be
submitted hereafter boldly as was done
when MIR. Roosevelt could expect con-
gress to enact whatever type of bill he
sponsored.
The MIRA legislation is certain to
prove the focal point of bitter fight.
The President, as I have reported to
YOU previously. has alienaIed organized
labor. He is having trouble with