The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-02
Millions 20 Listen In


Mr.. Roosevelt's precedent busting
decision will give him tremendous
ly large audience. If he had followed
custom he. would have spoken soon
after noon, when relatively few
Americans would be able to listen
At night. with all networks con-
flected to the Speakers rostrum in
the House, his voice will be carried
TO every corner of the nation, to mil
lions Of firesides.
Chairman Fletcher, charging the
President wished to dramatic his
message and bring down to the
level Of a political speech his con-
stitutional right and duty to adj
dress Congress on the state of the
Union" demanded of the broadcast
ing chains similar facilities and
equivalent time for a Republican
reply.
While House Democrats organized
their defensive "junta," Speaker
Joseph w. Byrns said that Repuh-
licans led by Minority Leader Bert
rand Smell and potential presidential
candidate Hamilton Fish would be
allowed to have their says during
the first few days of the session.
Rayburn Heads Junta"
II plan to allow plenty of debate
on political issues for several weeks"
Mr.. Byrns said Then if we get
behind, we will slap down.
1t was believed that the unusual
defensive plans would rob the House
Democrats of spontaneity in re-
plying to Republican attacks. The
Republicans probably will be allowed
their full say on any given subject,
then, two or three days later, the
"junta," armed with statistics from
executive departments, will reply.
This plan was expected to upset
some of the more fervent New Deal
defenders, particularly those eager
for an attack rather than a defense.
Among the "junta generals" it
was believed, will be Chairman
Sam Rayburn of the Interstate
Commerce Committee, Rep. Clifford
Woodrum ID, Va. Chairman
James B. Buchanan of the Appro-
priations Committee, Chairman
John j. O'Connor of the Rules
Committee, and Rep. Edward Tay-
Tor Cd, Colo).
Bankhead Needs Help
The procedure will be unique.
Usually the majority leader is the
direct spokesman for the Admins
tration party, but this year Major
ity Leader William d. Bankhead has
just recovered from a long illness
and needs help.
Mr.. Fletcher's charge evoked only
an embarrassed silence from head
quarters of the two broadcastins
chains in New York, where it was
said that since his kilograms had
been sent on a holiday, the appro-
pirate executives had not seen them.
1t was indicated, however, that the
chains would listen to Mr.. Roose-
velts address and decide how par
tisanly political it was before de-
Gliding whether to give the Repub-
licans free networks of equal size.
Mr.. Fletcher told the chains that
the political character Of the
speeches by members of the Admin
istration over the radio should be
recognized for what they are" H.
said the granting of his request for
free time will demonstrate that you
(the cnains) are in no way inf1u-
enced by fear of the party in power"
White House Silent
The White House maintained the
usual strict secrecy of the probable
contents of the Presidents message.
If congressional leaders have been
taken into his confidence they gave
no indication of it. Mr.. Roosevelt
worked on the speech in his study
today.
Observers agreed the President
must abandon some projected New
Deal policies if he is to sound the
moderation keynote predicted by
Democratic congressional leaders.
The Administration is maneuver-
ing for short and non controversial
session. President Roosevelt then
could delay vital controversies for
discussion and decision during the
presidential campaign and election.
If that strategy is followed the
winner in November would have a
definite voters mandate either to
proceed with or to ignore certain
fundamental propositions.
Taxation to the Fore
Unemployment relief, taxation and
further regulation of business are
paramount among the issues which
Mr.. Roosevelt easily can avoid or
attack. His tax bill presented last
June sought legislation on inherit
ance and gift levies, on personal and
corporate income taxation, and sub
mission of a constitutional amend
ment to abolish the tax exemptions
now accorded Federal, state and
local bonds.
inheritance taxation and the
amendment remain to be disposed
of. In addition, Mr.. Roosevelt pro-
posed to Congress last June "a
number OF other" tax ideas.
He committed himself emphati-
cally last session on unemployment
relief. He said 100000 unemploy-
ables should be restored TO local and
state relief rolls but that the en-
ployment OF the 100000 remaining
on Federal relief rolls was a def
mite responsibility of the Federal
government, which, alone, ne ex-
planned. had the power and credit
to make the jobs.
Bonus Among Problems
The Administration may not be
able to prevent disagreements but
it will try to minimize them. Con-
Citation and perhaps compromise
Will be used when trouble arises.
Congress will plunge almost i'm
mediatelv into issues which from