Evening star., 1936-12-02
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

President Roosevelt's tumultuous re-
ception in South America. first at Rio
de Janeiro and then at BuenoS Aires,
is reminiscent of the thunderouS greet
ings showered upon President Wilson
in Paris, London and Rome on the eve
of the Peace Conference 18 years ago
this month. They were the triumphal
days when the American statesman's
European prestige was at the zenith. 1t
was in the midst Of them that his great
friend, the late Senator Ollie James of
Kentucky, cabled Mr.. Wilson a joshing
message to hurry home, or they'll pro-
claim republic over here!" Mr.. Roose-
welt is not going to make Mr.. wilson's
fateful blunder of outstaying his well
come on foreign soil. History may record
that If the World War President, after
casting the spell of his personality upon
allied Europe. had come home and let
the Paris conference develop without his
dominant presence, far more lasting
peace foundations might have been laid
than the author of the IA points was
destined to see realized President Roose-
velt's presence in Buenos Aires for the
duration of the conference would un-
doubtedly have been welcome to our
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had any intentions of that sort. Roose-
tina, but the job of promoting them will
be left exclusively to Secretary Hull and
the rest Of the American delegation.
Washington, politically moribund since
Congress adjourned for the national
conventions last June, is beginning to be
itself again. Vice President Garner has
returned to the Capital to keep q watch
full eye on things for the boss" The
fight for the Democratic leadership Of
the House, with Representative O'Connor
of New York and Representative Ray
burn of Texas in battle array, has al-
ready become one of the most spectac-
ular congressional contests on record.
Investigations, favorite indoor sport Of
Capitol Hill, are also about to get under
way. Senator Wheelers Interstate Com
merce Committee inquiry into railroad
financing is scheduled to begin next
week. Senator Lonergans Campaign
Funds Investigating Committee will clear
for action again at an early executive
session. Senator La Follette's committee,
which is probing strike breaking, labor
espionage and other infringements of
civil liberties, will resume hearings late
in December or early in January. On
the House side preparations are in
progress for intensive study of tax mat
ters by the Appropriations Committee in
conjunction with the Joint Committee
on Internal Revenue Taxation. From
this survey may emerge a comprehensive
revision of the Federal tax structure,
with q view to removing inequities and
plugging loopholes.
Another direction in which Washing
ton will soon assume an old-time aspect
Is concerned with that most ancient OF
American political issues-the tarif. It
will bob up in consequence Of the ad-
ministration's request for renewal of
authority, expiring in June, to continue
its reciprocal trade program. Including
the pact just signed with Costa Rica.
Is Hull agreements" have now been
negotiated, eight Of them with Latin
American countries. While the Presl-
dent, of course, marshals Overwhelmingly
enough strength in Congress to get what
he wants, there will be no lack Of
opposition in both House and Senate.
not only from Republicans, who fought
the reciprocal policy in the late cam
paign. but posably from some conserva-