The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-11-16

Washington, November 10 -
Predictions as TO the harmony or
discord which may be expected
between president and a new
congress are as often wrong as
right.
Checking the list, II would APP
pear that this congress would be
neither more radical nor more con-
sentative than the last.
However, congress In the main
Is more conservative than the
president. II can be more "radi-
cal" when large pressure groups
are bent on raiding the treasury,
but II can also be much more con-
sentative when expensive high
pressure lobbyists from Wall Street
come TO Washington to block O
White House program.
obedience" Is Doubtful
There's o common theory now
that Roosevelt need but snap
his fingers In the next session
to exact congressional obedience.
Only II OF the 90 senators will
be republicans and that includes
several progressives. Only 80 OF
435 House members will be republi-
cans. SO II Is argued that congress
will again be rubber stamp" for
Roosevelt.
This theory falls 10 take several
things into account. Although
many members Of Congress rode
back into office on the Roosevelt
coattails, that doesn't mean that
any Of them will support Roose-
welt legislation out Of gratitude.
Even though It will be impos-
sible TO find any effective oppo-
sltion outside the democratic
ranks, those ranks have managed
TO provide effective opposition In
the past. And O president pro-
verbally has q harder time In his
second term TO control congress.
Furthermore, despite all the
speeches OF republican campaigners
and Liberty Leaguers, II just isn't
true that congress has served as
Roosevelts rubber stamp" II be-
came especially recalcitrant after
the big democratic victory In the
1894 election, when nearly oil cam
didates rode In on New Deal popu-
larity.
+. II. Often Overruled
Roosevelt was overruled by the
senate when he sought American
adherence TO the World Court.
Nearly all his tax measures have
been chewed almost beyond recog-
milton. His vetoes OF veterans bene.
tit bills have been overridden.
Congress made important changes
In the securities, stock market, and
public utility holding company
measures. Repeated administra-
ton efforts to obtain adequate food
and drug protective legislation have
failed. The AAA amendments were
blocked entirely at one session and
passed al the next only after ex-
tensive rejiggering.
The long haggling and revision
which preceded passage Of the 81
5OO,O00,OOO work relief bill, In
Guiding R0osevelts defeat on the
prevailing wage issue, caused the
presidents prestige TO suffer.
And few will ever know how
many legislative proposals were
snatched back from Capitol Hill
or buried before they saw daylight
on the assurance OF congressional
leaders that they could not pass.
Everybody for Himself?
Some observers SEQ the next con-
gress a8 u group OF shifting blocs IN
which nearly every member, aS usual,
will be primarily out for himself.
Labor legislation has usually had
little trouble during the New Deal
and probably will have less than
ever now. But legislation affecting
corporate setups and corporate
profits may encounter hard sled"
ding. 49,.
IL will be important 10 wee
whether Sam Royburn Of Texas or
JOhn O'COnnOr Of New York IN
elected floor leader In the House.
Rayburn II the administration
choice, although its uncertain
how alphabetically the White House
plans 10 make its wishes known.
II he IN elected, Roosevelt can nj
least be sure that his causes are
In strong and friendly hands.
Already, however, the President
and his closest advisers are con-
sidering the likelihood that radio
appeals over the heads OF congress-