The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1936-09-24


while If Governor Landon comes in,
the Republicans will undoubtedly
control the lower branch. Repre-
sentatives must run for Office every
two years, and their political life is
often very short.
A different state Of affairs OBJ
tains in the Senate. A Senator runs
only every six years, and, as re-
suit, the 1887 Congress will be DEM
ocratically controlled even through
the Republicans sweep the country.
It is mathematically impossible for
the COP to win a majority in the
upper house If it tok every contest
ed seat in would lack two votes OF
control. AS many contested senator
ships are in the Deep South, where
the Democratic nomination is the
same as election, it is inevitable
that the Democrats will have sub
stantial majority when the MEM
bers Of the Senate answer the roll
call In January.
Even so, best commentators feel
that this will not be a major OBJ
stacle to Governor Landon's pro-
gram, in event Of his election. Il
the voters disavow the New Deal,
Senators Of both parties will sniff
the wind and fall in line with the
mandate. And, on the other hand.
should President Roosevelt be en-
dorsed again, he will naturally be
able to bring about Congressional
agreement Of almost anything he
wishes.
No matter who takes the big plum
In November, the coming Congress
will be faced with a number Of vi
tai issues. The tax issue will be up
again-bigger and better than ever.
IN all probability. Governor Lam
don has been biting in his denun-
citation of New Deal spending poll
cies. And Mr.. Roosevelt has again
said that he anticipates balanced
budget before long, has gone on the
record for economy and q certain
amount Of retrenchment. Yet both
candidates agree that the farmer
should be helped from the Federal
treasury, that Federal relief for the
unemployed. and needy must be con-
tinued. There is also the probable
fly that the government will feel
that it must great increase its army
and navy appropriations. Under
such circumstances, Congress will
undergo. many headache as it
seeks to control appropriation mea-
sures.
The tariff will likely be an issue.
Tremendous difference Of opinion
has resulted from the reciprocal
trade agreement act authorizing the
President to lower tariff duties In
favor Of countries doing the same
for us. Congress will be beleagured
on the one hand by powerful groups
wanting high tariff, such as agri-
culture, and equally powerful groups
wanting a lower tariff and bigger
foreign business, such as the heavy
machinery and automobile makers.
The Townsend plan will, in all
probability, be given little consider
alton. Outside of one or two states,
such as Washington, Townsendites
have made very poor showing in
the primaries of either party. And
the bonus issue is at last dead-a
fact which has caused many a polit-
ical aspirant to say THANK God!
Some of the longest and most &C
rimonious debate will concern laws
which are now in existence but are
due to expire-the so-called "tem-
porary emergency measures" They
will go off the statute books unless
Congress gives them new life
ure; the Electric Farm and Home
Among such laws are: The vitality
important dollar devaluation meas
Authority loans; the CCC appro-
priations; the reciprocal tariff; the
excise (nuisance) taxes on gasoline
radios, ETC.; the 3-cent postage rate;
the interstate oil production limlta-
lions compacts; the much reviled
much praised neutrality act. The
Oldest emergency bureau in the
government-the RFC, which was
started by Hoover and continued
and enlarged by Roosevelt-must
also be given a new okay if it is to
continue.
So Congress will be busy next
year, whether the donkey or the
elephant rules in the old colonial
house on Pennsylvania Avenue.