Evening star., 1936-12-14

lngCon TINS week 70 Jackie the JOB OF
formulating for Congress his recommen-
dations for legislation. He has on his
hands, also, awaiting action, the ap-
pointments to many important ofnces
In the Government. Despite . great deal
Of early rumor about his cabinet for the
second term. beginning January 20, there
is q growing belief that the President
will not disturb his official family greatly
come later.
The Chief Executive will find plenty
of recommendations for legislation, sub
| mitted by different organizations and
individuals. With the general agree
ment among industrial leaders that
there should be greater cooperation with
the government on their part, the FORM
ulation of q program for legislation
dealing with industry and labor may be
more easily carried forward. The Coun-
Gil for Industrial Progress, headed by
Maj. George L. Berry, Is ready with q
program of its own, to turn over to the
President. The council is asking for q
new N. r. A., framed to avoid, II pos
sible, the objections raised by the
Supreme Court when that tribunal in
q unanimous opinion held the old law
unconstitutional. 1t wants also amend
ments to the antitrust laws to make
them more workable, and a plan for
Government-guarante loans to small
businesses, similar to the loans made by
the Government to home owners. The
Federal Government, during the depres-
sion, came to the assistance of business
and industry with large loans. through
the Reconstruction Finance Corp. The
loan program desired by the council,
however, is designed to be permanent
and to aid particularly the small busi-
ness man.
The council asks, too, for authority to
make a census of the unemployed, and
to make such q census every flve years.
A real census Of the unemployed should
be valuable both to industry, labor and
the Government in working out prob
lens. Whether Congress would prefer
to turn such q census over to the Census
Bureau remains to be seen. There have
been several attempts during recent
years to have such a census made, but
without effect.
William Green, president Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, offered an
extended program when he addressed
the council last week. Included in 1t was
demand for the passage of legislation
for 30-hour work week. five days with
six hours of work each. 1t Is Mr..
Green's contention that only by short
ening the hours Of labor will it be pos
sible to find sufficient jobs to give all
the workers in this country opportunity
to find employment. 1t is not q new
proposition. Congress has had before it
for several years bills sponsored by Sem
ator Black of Alabama and Representa-
tive Connery of Massachusetts, for Q 80
hour work week. There will be q very
definite drive to put through such law
during the coming session.
Senator OMahoney Of Wyoming,
Democrat, and Senator Borah of Idaho,
Republican, are supporting proposals for
Federal incorporation Of businesses en-
gagged in interstate commerce. OMa-
honey believes that by such law 1t will
be possible to establish standards for
labor. both in the matter Of hours and
minimum wages, and also to put an end
to monopolistic practices by corporations
now holding charters from individual
States. Borah is more particularly in
terested in attacking monopoly and the
law, although he believes, too, that some
thing may be done to bring about better
standards for labor.
These are only a few of the many rec
concentrations which have been or will
be sent to the White House for the
Presidents consideration. The first ses-
sion of the Seventy-fifth Congress,
which begins January S. promises to be
a busy one. Already congressional
leaders returning to Washington are
talking Of being here until June I, or
even later. In some quarters 1t is urged
that the President himself would be
willing to have Congress hold COM
paratively brief session this Winter and
Spring, but that the pressure from many
groups for legislation Of various kinds
will be so great that q considerable pro-
gram will be undertaken. One Of the
most dif1cult jobs Of the Roosevelt ad-
ministration will be retrenchment, les
sening of Government expenditures, .
matter which seems to be near the heart
of the President. The riots and strikes
which have followed the movement of
the w. P. A. in several States to cut down
the w. p. A. rolls are indicative Of the
opposition that may be expected.
Senator Burke Of Nebraska has re-
turned to Washington intent upon
pressing for constitutional amendment
limiting the President Of the United
States to one term of six years. As he
plans now the amendment he offers will
make It impossible for President after
having served one term of six years. to
seek another even though another
President may have set in the White
House. The Nebraska Senator does not
believe that . President Of the United
States should, or should be compelled,
to go campaigning around the country
seeking reelection. He does not believe
that it Is to the best interests Of the
people that . President should be COM
PEELED, almost from the time he enters
the White House. to plan for his own
reelection. Already Senator Burke has
received assurances Of support for his
proposed amendment from many Of the
Senators and Representatives.
The Nebraska Senator also has an
other problem in mind, growing out Of
the disastrous droughts that have
affected his State in the last few years.
It has been definitely established, he
says, that there Is vast fiew Of water,