Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1936-05-14

be understood only by reviewing what
has been done for the Army and Navy
in the past three years.
BY next fall ten public forum DEM
Onstration projects are expected TO be
in operation in strategic centerS. Three
of them are row operating and DIR.
John Studebaker. United States Com
mission of Education. looks on the ex-
pertinent as the beginning of a nation
wide system which will offer Ameri-
can citizens an opportunity to become
acquainted with the social and econ
omic problems of their democracy.
There has recently been a decided in
creaSe in public discussion groups.
Something like 700 are now recognized
and DR.. Studebaker hopes that before
long there will be public discussions
in every rural and urban district in
the country.
Present forums are located as fol-
lows: Pacific Coast, 100; Rocky Noun
tains, 20; Middle West, $50; South
west, 25: South. 80: East, 294; New
England, 81. c. s. Williams, Assistant
Administrator of the forum project,
says that the greatest interest has been
aroused by the discussion of internal
tional questions. with national topics
coming second, and local problems
ranked last in general interest. The
forums being set up are expected to
serve as models for future Develop
ment and are being financed by a
S330,OOO appropriation from work re-
lief funds.
The Social Security Act, which be-
came law last August, was without an
appropriation until February because
of a filibuster in the Senate. 1t has
helped ten States in the administra-
ton of unemployment compensation
laws, covering 5000, 900 workers, at a
cost of S350,513. 1t also contributed
S. 5000, 900 to match funds in twenty
nine States, where there are approved
old age assistance plans. Seventeen
states got 100000 to help 100000 de-
pendent children ard eighteen states
have received S421 900 to assist the
needy blind. President Roosevelt re-
Gently asked Congress for a $3.50 $780,
900 budget for social security. OF this
amount S265, 100000 is the 1887 pay
ment to the Old Age Reserve funds.
The remaining sum will be divided as
follows: Unemployed, S44, 800, 900; aged,
S85 900, 900; dependent children, $685.
100000; blind SS,0O0,0O0; expense $685.
100000.
1t is interesting to watch, as the
months roll by, the changing horo-
scope of political fortune. No explana-
ton is available for the apparent shift
in the public attitude that is regarded
by Washington correspondents and
political observers. Statesmen and par
ty workers have their periods of OPP
timism, only to become depressed as
they sense an ~antagonistic drift or
doubt the success of their plans to win
popular favor.
Along this line, one observes a great
change in the past few months. Criti-
cism of the President was mounting,
the Liberty League threatened to be
an effective factor in the campaign,
and there were evidences of revolt
among the Democrats. Today, the
truthful reporter must chronicle d
change. The Presidents lieutenants
are riding on a wave of optimism, con-
J hdent that the election next Fall is lin
the bag" The Republicans, with their
nominee uncertain and in the midst OF
pre-convention fights, have not re-
tanned their confidence. The condition
reported viii probably not continue
Another apparent shift will set in and
the state CT mind of the party leaders
will probably change, the Republicans
again confident and charging into bat
tie while the Democrats wonder over
the outcome Of the fray.
The Senate finally adopted the Van
denberg resolution, calling on Secre-
tary Wallace to report benefciaries
under the AAA Of more than S10,OO(
a year. Secretary Wallace is generally
credited with a tactical error in op-
posing the inquiry when proposed, al
though he subsequently gave it sup
port. Democrats in the Senate, before
passing the resolution, added in am
endment directing the Tariff Commits
sion to supply information about the
tariff. They want to know the effec
Of the tariff on selling prices, on cor
porate incomes, and on the consumer
In other words, to offset any unfavor-