Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1936-02-13

ans than there is between the liberal
and conservative factions of either
party. 1t is plain that the President
counts heavily upon the support OF
many Progressive Republicans in his
plans for the coming campaign and
that his hopes, amounting almost to
certain faith, lie in the belief that he
will secure the backing of the COM
bined Liberal Progressive forces.
AT this time it is apparent that a
major regrouping of political factors
is in prospect. 1t can hardly be fore
stalled by the nomination of a Liberal
Republican. which, today, seems out
of the question. With Roosevelt fore
ing the Democrats to assume the Lib
eral position, the issue would be
clear-cut if the Republicans nominate
a Conservative and the people of the
country would have to make a dis
tinct choice. The choice, it appears,
will also be offered in the unexpected
event that the Republicans nominate a
pronounced Liberal of the Borah type
for, in that event, it may be written
down as certain that a Conservative
flag will be raised by organizations
like the Liberty League and that a
vigorous campaign will be launched
for a third candidate. In this contin-
gency, with Liberals split between the
old parties, it is a possibility that the
United States will see a third party
successful for the first time in its his
tory and the political shake-down that
will follow will inevitably cause a new
political lineup.
Comparative figures for 1884 show
that the United States spent $86O,635,-
900 for relief for World War veterans,
and that Great Britain, Germany,
France, and Canada combined spent
only 1891 ,l90,360. The figures are even
mere remarkable when it is consid-
cred that the United States modified
4,757 ,240 men compared with "a, a. ,636
for the five nations mentioned. The
American loss was 1921 H dead and
wounded, whereas the other countries
had $685. O7 killed or injured. The
per capita expenditure, based IN the
rumber modified, for the United
States was S1S0.91 and S26.02 for the
other nations: based on the number
of dead and wounded, the United
States spent S2,668.66 compared to
for the other countries. These
figures for 1884, of course, do not in
clude the bonus legislation, involving
about $4,000. O00, 900.
Very little publicity has been given
to the decision of the u. S. Supreme
Court in the case of Colgate VS.. Har-
vey, originating in Vermont. This case
involved the right of the State of YER
mont, in exercising its taxing power,
to permit the taxpayer to claim GER
tain exemptions if the income con-
cerned is derived from investments
within the State. The decision was
handed down a few weeks before the
epochal AAA judgment and was de-
cided by the identical majority of six
that acted in the AAA case.
In the Vermont case the privileges
and immunities" clause was construed
to limit the power of the State. MIR.
Justice Sutherland, in an opinion ex-
pressing the broadest concept of ma
tional power as contrasted with state
power said. AS citizens of the United
States we are part of a single great
community consisting of all the States
united, and not of distinct communi-
ties consisting of the States severally."
In other words, just before the AAA
decision the Court strictly limited the
power of the States, while in the lat
ter case, accepting a narrow concept
of national power, it limited the power
of the Federal Government. The point
is made that the trend shown in these
two opinions will, if adhered to,
shackle the power Of government in
the United States and might possibly
create an area of activity not subject
to the defined powers of either the
Federal or State governments. Such an
Interpretation of the constitution and
laws of this country will undoubtedly
please the super-business %organiza-
tons, which are quick to seize upon
any legal loophole to escape all regu-
lation. whether it be established by
C+,+o ~ EaJara law