The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-02-07
WA5HlN GT0N, o.
NATIONAL PRESS BLDG.

| that Mr.. Smith has walked out on that
section of the Democratic party that
| sticks by Mr.. Roosevelt. He said it
was a choice either to "put on the
mantle Of hypocrisy or we can take a
walk" He explained it probably
would be the latter course. And
frankly it seems with the personal
following that he has, a walkout by
Mr.. Smith cannot be described as 9th
erwise than serious to the party from
which that group is detected. 1t has
all of the earmarks of an interesting
political situation.
Immediately after Mr.. Smith had
spoken, quite few Democrats in con-
| gress fired back at him and in defense
of the New Deal. Men like Represent
alive Doughton of North Carolina, a
Democratic wheelhorse as chairman
Of the powerful ways and means COM
mittee; Speaker Byrnes, and a flock
of Others They insisted generally that
| the Smith barrage was more helpful to
| the Democrats than campaign
speeches they themselves could make.
| Administration leaders in the execu-
| tive departments are beginning to fire
also, but they are smart enough to let
| the enthusiasm aroused by the speech
die down before they attempt to upset
arguments advanced by Mr.. Smith.
I have no doubt, from the signs even
now cropping up, that an effort will be
| made in congress to discredit the
| league. 1t looks like Senator Black,
| Alabama Democrat and chairman of
the senate lobby committee, probably
will dig into the leagues files to show
| how 1t was financed to a large extent
| by such wealthy men as the Duponts,
| among others. Such an investigation
| likewise will carry an undercurrent of
| a movement to do away with political
| influence of such men as John ].
Raskob, former Democratic national
chairman, a league director, and Jouett
| Shouse, former executive chairman Of
the Democratic national committee
and the league president. If that fight
| gets started it will be a mudslinging
beauty.
So, summarized, the picture result
ing from the leagues dinner is that of
major feud, as well as major polit-
ical movement, because there is real
ly bitter fight between personalities in
sight as well as the possibilities of
third party movement.
In the situation as it now stands,
however, the Republican party holds
the key. Smith and his following and
the league membership generally can
be counted in definite opposition to
the New Deal and most all of its
works only on condition that a candi-
date and a platform, viewed by them
as sound, are put forward by the Re-
publicans. If the Republicans turn too
far to the radical side in their efforts
to match the Democratic position
(Which necessarily must be in support
of everything the President has done),
then, there is likely to be third par
ty, which would make predictions of
the outcome worthless.
| Congress frequently goes off on
| tangent in which it will set about ex-
posing this or that
Digging or the other among
UD Secrets the practices of pri-
| vate business. In the
last several years it has been particu-
larly active in exposing to public view
secrets of corporations and individual
representatives and senators have
blown off much steam concerning sal
aries paid business executives and they
have directed criticism at private bust
ness as well for some of it's other ex-
penditures.
A few years ago Senator Norris of
Nebraska, among others, spoke at
great length in criticism of our gov
ernment's diplomatic service because
| of the salaries paid and the expendi-
lures allowed for operation of our for
eign diplomatic offices. The Norris at
| tack apparently did considerable dam
age to the diplomatic service because
it made many capable men fearful of
entering that field where highly
trained men are necessary.
But all of the time during which
criticisms have been leveled at private
| business on account OIL SdIdrleS pdlu
business executives and because Of
other expenses, the senate itself has
been going ahead from year to year
using taxpayers money to suit its own
purposes. For instance, Col. Edwin A.
Halsey, secretary of the senate, lately
has made public his annual report COW
ering senate operations and it shows
that the taxpayers money to the ex-
tent of $3,296.S52 had been spent for
maintenance of that one branch of
congress. There are SO senators, each
of whom has an Office staff; there are
some 30-odd committees in operation,
each with staff, and there is the reg
ular senate organization with a large
personnel. Consequently, salaries alone
take up a considerable chunk Of the
total outlay, but Colonel Halsey's re-
port disclosed that general "contin-
gent expenses" of the senate had eaten
up SOL, 900. Included in this total Of
contingent expenses" was an item Of
$236,0O0 for the cost of senate investi-