The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-05-16
Rlasf az New Deal
.iona1 Topics Interpreted

L
Washinrt on-Probably the most
NOTABLE incident of recent days in
Washington is the explosion of a
bomb by business. 1t is significant
and important that the business
voice as represented by the Cham
Der of Commerce of the United
States, has spoken in such emphat-
ic terms about the New Deal. Tt is
further matter of significance that
the business voice criticized the
New Deal generally as well as spe-
officially, because it Is the first
time in the period since President
Roosevelt took charge that any,
thing like unity in business thought
has been presented.
The reaction was instantaneous.
First. Secretary Roper of the De-
partment of Commerce mustered
81 members of his business advisory
committee for counter attack. 1t
was almost drowned out by the
chambers roar. Such was not the
case, however. with the Presidents
reply. He waited until the conven-
ton had ended to let loose a
charge that the business interests
were selfish. It made all the front
PAGES.
This brings us to the cruX of the
condition precipitated by the out
burst of the Chamber of Commerce
convention. 1t Is seldom, and I be-
Ieve the record shows this state
ment to be absolutely true, that an
nual conventions of the Chamber Of
Commerce of the United States
have been taken seriously by the
newspapers. The business men have
been looked upon as possessors and
promoters of rather antiquated
ideas. Their interests have been
and are of selfish character. That
Is quite obvious and quite natural.
But at this time, the voice of bust
ness speaks more than just busi-
ness views. It speak politically.
Hence, when business spoke this
time the newspapers Of the country
paid heed. The result was an UNI
precedented amount of publicity
was obtained by the chamber thru
the medium Of its convention this
year.
Whether this represents a change
In the thought of the country, sure
" no one individual of any group
is able to say definitely. It must be
recognized, however, that for MANY
months highly vocal minority of
politicians has been accusing the
administration Of throttling criti-
cism. Although this group fought
vigorously and charged the admin
istration with having the greatest
propaganda machine ever to exist
1t obtained little publicity for those
views. Most newspapers dismissed
them by publication of three or four
paragraphs, buried on the inside
pages of the metropolitan dalies. So
necessarily, significance attaches to
the fact that when the business
voice was raised in apparent unity
the newspapers accorded columns
of space to it. It can be construed in
no other way than as meaning there
is a larger opposition to some
phases of the New Deal at least
than most of us had expected.
OppositionUnified
For quite while such groups as
the American Liberty league have
pounded away at certain phases Of
the New Deal. To the Washington
observers it appeared that these
groups were getting nowhere and
getting there fast. OF a sudden,
however, the voice opposed to the
New Deal seems to have found it
self. Certainly at the moment and
Tor the first time, there is an ap-
Proclamation of unity to New Deal
opposition and that fact is reflect
ed in rather important way. re-
Ter to the courage exhibited In con-
gress where there Is more and more
evidence OF decision on the part
OF the legislators to assert their in
dependence in contradistinction to
previous silent obedience to the
White House.
believe it is too early to attempt
q prediction whether the Chamber
OF Commerce leadership will last.
n