Evening star., 1937-01-05
RAYBURN HEARD
ON AIR PROGRAM
Joins Speaker Bankhead
in Forum Discussion of
Coming Session.

Sneaker Bankhead of Alabama was
joined last night in the National Radio
Forum by Representative Sam Ray
burn Of Texas just q few hours after
the Democratic delegation in the
House had elected Rayburn majority
leader. The forum, arranged by The
star, was broadcast by the National
Broadcasting Co. over its Nationwide
network.
Bankhead predicted legislation en-
povering the President to enforce alb
solute neutrality and new unemploy-
ment relief legislation will be the flrSt
of the major problems brought before
the Seventy-fifth Congress.
Rayburn, introduced by Speaker
Bankhead, pledged full support to
President Roosevelt's program. I'VE
have made great strides toward recov-
cry" he said. "The recovery Is not
vet complete. 1t shall be our purpose
in the months that lie Immediately
before us to make that recovery as
complete as may be-
The Speaker, on the eve OF the open-
ing Of the first Congress under the
sIame duck amendment" forecast
sharp difference of opinion over the
neutrality legislation, in spite OF the
tremendous Democratic majority. The
difficulty, he said, will have to do with
the extent Of the powers to be granted
the Chief Executive.
The unemployment situation Is
reaching critical state, with all avail
able funds for relief work nearing ex-
haustion, Bankhead said, and great
haste in legislating to meet the prob
lem will be imperative. While the
amount to be suggested by the Presi-
dent for unemployment relief remains
a matter of conjecture, the Speaker
said "it is the earnest hope of all that
the amount recommended will not ex-
ceed $500 0OO, ,00o."
The Speaker also discussed the
necessity for congressional action on
laws creating q number OF the New
Deal agencies which soon will expire
by statutory limitation unless extended
BY new enactment.
Session to Be Historic.
He predicted the session beginning
today will be "a most interesting and
In some respects an historic session
Of the Congress Of the United States"
and closed with q prayer for "the
patience. forbearance and kindly un-
derstanding Of the American people"
The text of Speaker Bankhead's ad-
dress follows:
Most naturally at this time the at
tention Of the whole country is being
focused upon the Capital City and the
ensuing Seventy-fifth Congress and
the probable results Of its activities.
Having been requested by the Radio
Forum to give q brief preview Of the
congressional situation am happy to
do 30, but desire it to be understood
that what I shall say - to the prob
able actions Of the Congress will be
more in the nature OF prediction rather
than any certainties Of subsequent de-
velopments.
The Democratic CAUCUS Of the men,
bers Of the House Of Representatives
was held this afternoon and nomina-
tions have been made for Speaker.
majority leader and all Of the regular
oficers Of the House, and also the
filling Of two vacancies on the Com
mittee on Ways and Means. Upon to-
morrow, January s, promptly at noon
the House will be called to order by
the clerk Of the House and immedi-
ately thereafter the Speaker and other
officers will be elected and all Of the
other necessary preliminary steps
taken for the permanent organization
for this session. Arrangements have
been made for the brosdcasting Of that
session over three national hook-ups
and those who have never listened in
on such q ceremony might find some
interest in those proceedings.
Without elaboration or argument
either for or against. will briefly
undertake to outline what, in my opin-
ion, will be some Of the immediate
and most outstanding measures Of
legislation to be considered by the
Congress. OF course, at this juno
ture, the President not having rs yet
delivered his recommendations to the
Congress. 1t Is somewhat difficult to
determine what proposals will be most
Immediately pressed for action.
imagine, however, that 1t Is quite
likely that in view Of the fact that
the existing neutrality resolution does
not cover the shipment Of arms and
munitions to q country engaged In
civil war, and Of the evident desire
Of this administration to be clothed
with power to enforce absolute neu-
trality, 1t is likely that some recon-
mendations will be made for immedi-
ate changes in that resolution and
It Is probable. that . discussion Of |
such changes will create sharp differ
ences Of opinion as to what power |
should be given the President and |
what acts should be made mandatory
upon his part. It Is my opinion that |
the action Of the House Of Representa-
tives will favor giving rather large
discretion to the judgment Of the
President In that and all other neu-
trality developments.
Money fer Jobless.
Another matter likely to engage the
instant attention Of the House Is the |
necessity for appr0priating q further |
large sum Of money to take care Of |
the unemployment situation. AL |
available funds for that purpose are |