Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1936-01-16
CONGRESS CONVENES
DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL
THE SESSIONS LENGTH
ELECTION FIREWORKS
ROOSEVELTS CAMPAIGN
THE BORAH CAMPAIGN
HIS OPPONENTS ACTIVE
AL SMITHS POSITION
REPUBLICANS INTERESTED
FARLEY'S NET SURPLUS"
TREASURY BOOKKEEPING
NRA ENDS EXISTENCE

The 74th congress is now assembled
for its final session, with the demo
cratic party in overwhelming contro
OF the government. In the senate thi
party has 50 out of the Sc seats, anC
in the houes 318 out of 435. Nowher,
does it face difficulty in accomplishing
its will except before federal courts
where the majority of judges have
been appointed in past years by re-
publican presidents. While our judi
ciary has been remarkably free of po-
l~itical, as we'll as corrupt, influences
it is but human nature to carry on the
bench the ideas and ideals which he
had when appointed. Surveys have
shown very conclusively that the le-
gality of New Deal legislation depends
to a large degree upon the former
political views of the judges who pass
upon them.
The congress came together with
the president and the New Deal suf-
fering some loss of prestige which has
encouraged criticism of his policies
within the party and stimulated his
political foes to greater activity than
ever. Despite much talk of an early
adjournment and of real desire on the
part of Legislators to finish their leg
islative duties in order to get into
their election campaigns, there is no
way of estimating the length of the
present session.
One of the grave decisions that on
gress must make relates to the formu-
lation of a permanent neutrality poll
cy to replace the temporary course
now being followed. The problem de-
perds in part upon the war situation
abroad. The possibility that some Of
the six major New Deal measures will
be thrown overheard by the supreme
court and that action may be taken in
an effort to meet the objections Of the
court also threaten to lengthen the
session. Swift atcion is expected on
the bonus.
Overshadowing other considerations
is the looming election next fall, with
the halls of congress affording the
best sounding board for propaganda
in the country. There will be many
speeches to support the administra-
ton and others attacking his policies.
All of them will have copious replies.
The process will take time. Altogether
the session will be strongly political.
In the background will be a number
of associations and lobbyists attempt
ing to create public sentiment or, at
least, the appearance of public senti-
ment one way or the other.
President Roosevelt will undoubt-
eddy make an intensive campaign for
reelection, probably travelling as
much as he did in 1882 when he went
into nearly every state and journeyed
about 5000 miles. His supporters be-
lieve that he is stronger than the adj
ministration and the greatest asset of
the party, which will have a much
smaller campaign fund than the OPP
ponents of the New Deal. The demo-
cratic party deficit is around 100000,
entirely a legacy from the unsuccess-
full 1928 campaign of All Smith. The
republicans are in much better shape
with more than 100000 in the party
treasury.
Mr.. Roosevelt will make full use of
the radio and his appeals are counted
upon to have an effect upon the great
mass of voters, including the lower
half of the population in point of
wealth, the farmers who have bene-
fitted under the AAA and others who
have received aid from various gov
ernmental agencies. While his Sup
porters are privately aware that he
has lost some ground, they believe his
popularity is sufficient to insure his
reelection. The Literary Digest poll,
showing a strong trend against the
New Deal, is taken merely to show
the probable loss of conservative dem
ocrats, which the presidents strate-
gists have discounted for some time.
Claiming not less than 2O8 first
choice votes out of a total of 997 dele
gates to the republican national con
vention, the Borah supporters opened
the new year with high hopes of
blocking any decisive action by the
convention until uninstructed dele
gates begin to break ranks. The Borah
strength, of course, is centered in the
west and west but considerable
action is being taken in other sections
of the country.
Standing squarely before the sena-
tors parade is the ponderous figure of
Herbert Hoover, titular head of the
party, who is unutterably opposed to
Borah's nomination. The former pres
dent, uncompromising in his fight on
almost all of the New Deaf measures,
will exert his utmost power to defeat
any candidate who has given it a
of support.
On this basis it is pointed out that