Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-02-06
5HINGT1N. DC.

that Mr.. Smith has walked out on that
section Of the Democratic party that
sticks by Mr.. Roosevelt He said il
was . choice either to put on the
mantle Of hypocrisy or we can take
walk" He explained it probably
would be the latter course. And
frankly IL seems with the personal
following that he has. q wa1kout by
Mr.. Smith cannot be described as 9TH
ervise than serious to the party from
which that group is detected 1t has
all OF the earmarks Of an interesting
political situation.
Immediately after Mr. Smith had
spoken. quite few Democrats in con-
gress fired hack at him and in defense
Of the New Deal Men ike Represent
alive DOughton Of North Carolina. q
Democratic wheelhorse as chairman
OF the powerful ways and means cOm-
mittee; Speaker Byrnes, and q flock
Of others. They insisted generally that
the Smith bzrage was more helpful to
the Democrats than campaign
speeches they themselves could make.
Administration leaders in the execu-
tive departments are beginning TO fire
also, but they are smart enough to let
the enthusiasm aroused BY the speech
die down before they attempt to upset
arguments advanced by Mr.. Smith.
I have no doubt, from the signs even
now cropping up, that an effort viii be
made In congress to discredit the
league. II looks Ike Senator Black,
Alabama Democrat and chairman Of
the senate lobby committee, probably
wiz dig into the leagues files to show
how IL was financed TO a large extent
by such wealthy men as the Duponts,
among others Such an investigation
likewise win carry an undercurrent Of
a movement to do away with political
influence of such men as John J.
Raskob. former Democratic national
chairman. a league director. and Jouett
ShOuse, former executive chairman Of
the Democratic national committee
and the league president If that fight
gets started it win be a mudslinging
beauty.
So. summarized, the picture result
ing from the leagues dinner is that OF
a major feud, as wei as a major polit-
ical movement, because there is a real
II bitter fight between personalities in
sight as well as the possibilities Of q
third party movement.
In the situation as It now stands.
however, the Republican party holds
the key. Smith and his following and
the league membership generally can
be counted in definite opposition to
the New Deal and most all OF its
works only on condition that a candi-
date and a platform, viewed by them
as sound, are put forward By the Re
pubHcans. If the Republicans turn too
far to the radical side in their efforts
to match the Democratic position
(Which necessarily must be in support
Of everything the President has doDe),
then, there is likely to be a third par
II, which would make predictions Of
the outcome worthless.
Congress frequently goes Of on q
tangent in which it viii set about ex-
posing this or that
DIggung or the other among
Up Secrets the practices Of pri-
vate business. In the
last several years it has been particu-
larry active in exposing to public view
secrets OF corporations and individual
representatives and senators have
blown of much steam concerning sal
aries paid business executives and they
have directed criticism at private bust
ness as well for some Of its other ex-
penditures
A few years ago Senator Norris Of
Nebraska, among others, spoke at
great length In criticism Of our gov
ernment's diplomatic service because
Of the salaries paid and the expendi-
lures allowed for operation Of our for
eign diplomatic Offices. The Norris at
tack apparently did considerable dam
age to the diplomatic service because
1t made many capable men fearful Of
entering that field where highly
trained men are necessary.
But an Of the time during which
criticisms have been leveled at private
business on account OF salaries paid
business executives and because Of
other expenses, the senate itself has
been going ahead from year TO year
using taxpayers money to suit its own
purposes. For instance, Col Edwin A.
Halsey, secretary of the senate. lately
has made public his annual report Gov
ering senate operations and II shows
that the taxpayers money tn the er-
tent Of S.296S52 had been srient for
maintenance Of that one branch of
congress. There are 90 senator's, each
Of whom has an Office STAFF; there are
some 30-odd committees In operation.
each with staff, and there is the reg
ular senate organization with a large
personnel Consequently, salaries alone
take up a considerable chunk Of the
total outlay, but Colonel Halsey's re-
port disclosed that general "contin-
gent expenses" Of the senate had eaten
up SOL 900. Included in this total of