The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-01
(QoIjj'991gq[69jj q]a3
National Topics Interpreted "a ER
by William Bruckart TTTTTT1IN
PresB

IN holding MS gigantic Democralc ma
jorities together in the house and SEN
ate. That condition has become some
what more aggravated than IL ap-
peared when I first commented upon
it. There have been minor reflections
breaking loose from the Democratic
majority in the house and in the SEN
ate with considerable frequency. On
one or two occasions the OBJECTIONS
were exceedingly large and, when
Joined with the Republican minority,
were almost large enough TO constitute
the majority strength. The Democrat
ic leadership has wriggled out, thereby
saving its skin, but the margin of safe
" was such as 10 cause sleepless
nights not only in the Capitol, bur in
high places in the administration
As one OF the signs OF this grow
ing discomfort, one has only TO look
back over the last few weeks and OBJ
serve the continued prodding being
given the administration from the
Democratic side. The worst phase OF
this prOdding is the apparent willing
ness Of many Democratic representa-
tives and senators 10 promote inyes-
LEGATIONS. II appears that we are in
for a series of investigations Of this,
that. and the other, and inyest cations
have q habit of bringing to light facts
that are not politically beneficial 10
the party in power.
l recall one day when large East
ern independent newspaper printed
Washington dispatches Of FIVE proposed
investigations on its front page. OF
course il is obvious that that was an
extraordinary active day for the poll
ticians. | refer TO il, however, be-
cause after all il is a straw which
shows the way the wind is blowing.
There is a faction in congress, all
claiming TO be good Democrats. who
are on the trail of
Seek Fdrteys Postmaster General
ScoIu Farley's scalp. There
Is another bloc of
equally good Democrats who would be
quite happy 10 have Secretary Ickes
ousted out Of the position of secretary
Of the interior and who squawked loud
and long about giving Mr.. Ickes con-
troll of the S5,OOO,OOO,OOO relief apprO-
priatiOn.
Within the last few days a gang has
banded together on the trail of Donald
Richberg. until recently the man who
was closest Of any in the administra-
ton 70 the President To add 10 Mr..
Richberg's troubles. he is on the outs
with the American Federation Of La
Dor and il must be said that the fed
Grafton can do a great deal with many
members Of the house and senate. So,
when the legislation for continuance Of
the National Recovery Administration
gets on the floors of congress | think
ii is likely this group viii tear of
some Richberg bark
Governor Eccles Of the Federal Re
serve bureau, a rather new New Deal
er and fast thinker, has not helped
the administrations situation in con-
gress any by his bank bill He has
antagonized the most yirulent fighter
in the halls Of congress, namely, Sen
ator Glass, Democrat Of Virginia, by
the banking proposals which he spon-
sored. Senator Glass has always had
q following in the senate and he has il
now. Whatever he does. therefore,
cause he will have not only his own
following but the conservative Repub-
neans as well
The banking legislation, according
to the view in many quarters, may
turn out TO be the focal point, the is
tween the administration New Dealers
and the conservatives will be definite
ly established
There is the necessity also TO re-
member that banking legislation like
the social secretary bill and the pub
lie works bill. has not gone far
enough TO satisfy the groups whom
characterized above as the progress
sives. These left wingers number al
most a hundred in the house and they
can exert considerable force when the
vote Is anyways close. With them in
opposition along with the conserva-
tives. although the opposition is for
different reasons, IL can be seen that
the administrations position is by no
means well fortified. Indeed. some of
these measures may turn out TO be
the vehicle for a resounding congress
sional slap in the administration
face.
In discussing congressional troubles
for the administration no one dares
overlook the stocky
As to figure Of Senator
Huey Long Huey Long Huey
just does not like
Mr.. Roosevelt In fact Huey would
like TO be President himself. Political
ambitions combined with a vitriolic
tongue give Huey a broad platform
upon which 10 perform and unless
miss my guess he is willing 10 be in
creasingly troublesome 10 the admin
istration.
Huey knows that the administration
is going 70 overlook no opportunity
for harpoOning him. Among the exec
utive departments in Washington. one
hears hints, and sometimes more than
hints. that Huey is vulnerable and
that these weaknesses in his arnor
win be exposed in due course. How