Evening star., 1937-01-05

rapidly approaching exhaustion and
in order to avoid great confusion As
we'll as suffering upon the part Of the
destitute, great haste in the matter
will be imperative. The amount that
will be suggested by the President as
necessary to meet the situation is. as
yet. matter Of conjecture. In my
opinion, the House will be glad to
provide absolutely essential funds.
II Is the earnest hope Of all that the
amount recommended will not exceed
$500, 900 900.
There are also upon the doorsteps
Of Congress quite a number OF eX-
isting laws which expire by limitation
of time under their provisions that
will require early consideration and
action if their provisions are to be
extended. Some Of them are matters
Of paramount Importance. The pres
ent law giving power to the Recon-
struction Finance Corp to make loans
and extend credit expires January 80
and II the operations Of that great
institution are to continue as they
have since its establishment, it will
be necessary to extend. at least tenn
porarily, its present powers. This is.
of course, q matter of great concern
to q great many interests in the
country who have applications pend
ing before the r. F. c. for action. I
think 1t safe to predict that the pres
ent powers will be extended, but
maybe curtailed in some particulars.
The present law giving to the Presi-
dent the power to regulate the value
Of the dollar and also the law with
reference to the $4,000, ,000. 900 fund in
the Treasury to stabilize the value of
our money and credit at home and
abroad will also have to be extended.
I think that 1t may be safely said
that one Of the most popular activi-
ties Of the present administration Is
the Civilian Conservation Corps, which
has been Of inestimable value In not
only relieving destitution in the fami-
lies OF its enrollees, but also Of tre-
mendous value in building up the
morale and training Of the youth Of
the country. This law soon expires
and will have to be extended. There
is no question in my mind that that
result will be achieved. There Is
very strong sentiment in Congress to
make this Q permanent organization.
Labor Legislation Uncertain.
I think it impossible at this time to
predict with certainty what phases Of
new labor legislation will be introduced
and pressed for passage. The proposals
that are being discussed take q very
wide range and it Is probable that As
many bills will be introduced affecting
this subject as any other now In con-
temptation, ranging from = manda-
tory five-hour day and S0-hour week
act to legislation providing some new
form Of the old national recovery act. I
think 1t quite probable that the action
Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States upon the validity Of certain laws
now pending for its decision may, in
large measure, control the course Of
demands for new labor legislation.
Under certain contingencies / think
that I may now safely predict that
there will be . very strong pressure
brought TO bear for the submission Of
. constitutional amendment which
would give to Congress in no uncertain
terms the power to lesislate upon Ger.
tain phases Of labor conditions.
In the field OF agricultural leeisla-
ton that may be proposed. It now ap-
pears thai efforts for the passage Of
farm tenant leSislation will occupy .
II not leading. position. It
q evident that there has grown up In
the country an overwhelming demand
that the Federal Government should
and must take some effective steps,
not only to alleviate the insunersble
conditions Of millions Of farm tenants
In the country, but also to stop the
growth in all sections OF this