Evening star., 1937-12-31
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.


mshtal monopoles, politically controlled.
+4 *+
When President Roosevelt sent mes
sage to the Congress at the opening OF
the special session on November IS last,
his message was regarded as conciliatory
"A holding out of the olive branch. He
has continued to hold many conferences
with important men in business and in
dustry, discussing plans for meeting and
overcoming the recession in business.
What will be the tenor Of his address to
the Congress ION the state of the Union"
when he delivers it at l: 80 pm. Monday?
Will he deal with the foreign situation,
which has been tense, to say the least,
as we'll as with the domestic situation?
1t may be expected that he will, although
there has been no statement whatever
regarding the message. Will he discuss
monopolies and the need for their curb
and will he outline a program OF legis-
lation?
II the President follows along the line
taken by Assistant Attorney General
Robert H. Jackson and Secretary Harold
l.. Ickes of the Interior Department in
his discussion of the business recession,
the fur will fly again. To many it seems
incredible that Mr.. Jackson and Secre-
tary Ickes would make the kind OF state
ments with regard to business they have
made If such statements were not ap-
proved by the President. 1t is no secret
that many Democrats have been aroused
by these repeated attacks on business at
time when they believe that the ad-
ministration should do what it can to
encourage business.
In some quarters there is growing
opinion. however. that the President and
some Of his advisers have come to the
conclusion that the recession is not as
bad as it has been pictured and that 1T
will not be of long duration. At the
same time. some of the critics OF the
administration are asserting that the
President and his advisers are merely
seeking an alibi when they attack busi-
ness for the failure OF New Deal meas
ures to bring the more abundant life"
A day or two ago at his home in Clin-
ton. Mass. Senator David l. Walsh, New
England Democrat, was caustic in his
criticism Of the administration and its
dealings with business. Walsh declared
that the administration might we'll have
come to the aid of business during the
special session which closed just before
Christmas, instead Of seeking to drive
through program of reform legislation.
There was widespread belief, partic-
ularly in business circles" said Senator
Walsh. that we should devote some time
and attention to the business recession
that has developed rapidly since mid
summer. There was disposition on the
NortN r ~r -
seek solution and extend some reme-
dies that were generally recognized as
necessary. 1t is difficult to state just
what are the causes that resulted in the
present marked recession in business.
In my opinion, they are many 1t is
due to an accumulation of policies that
on the part OF capital and business in
general"
Senator Walsh added that undoubtedly
the continuing failure of the Govern
ment to balance the budget, the rapid
accumulation of tremendous national
debt, certain unsound and burdensome
taxes and various laws which have
greatly increased the cost of production
have caused general lack Of confidence.
He Joined with these causes of dis
couragement the unsettled labor condi-
tions. Rightly or wrongly, he said, busi-
ness is frightened. In my opinion" he
continued, what is most needed is an
assurance of confidence that can come
only from the Federal Government"
This explanation of the business reces-
sion by Senator Walsh is vastly different
from that now advanced by the admin
istration spokesmen. His position, how
ever, is that of considerable number
OF Democratic members of Congress, and
OF many Democrats outside of Congress.
1t is clear that if the administration,
through the President himself, makes
new drive against business, the division
among the Democrats may become more
and more marked. Also the Jacksons and
the 1ckeses are likely to have tough
time convincing hard-headed Americans
that business has been torn down by
business men themselves for the mere
purpose of getting rid of the New Deal.
Generally speaking, business is perfectly
willing to go right ahead making profits
under any political administration, If 1t
believes that profits can be made.
The coming session Of Congress, what
it does and what 1t fails to do, and how
it reacts to the recommendations of the
President. looms large indeed in the
political panorama of the coming year.
The session may prove a great battle
ground, as has been predicted by Senator
Burke of Nebraska. another Democrat
who opposes the New Deal in some i'm
portant particulars.
k,1k
What Is done or not done in Congress
Will have its effects. too, on the congress
sional elections. Ever since 1892, when
the Democrats swept the country-in-
deed, ever since 1880 when they won
control of the House Of Representatives,
the Democratic party has continued to
increase its hold upon Congress. Each
election has shown larger Democratic
majority in the House and in the Senate.
In the Senate only sixteen Republicans
remain in the membership of ninety
six. In the House the Democrats out
number the Republicans more than three
to one. Unless the G. o. p. can make
some gains can recapture many of the
seats 1t formerly held in Congress, the
fate of the G. O. p. seems to be sealed.
The country will seek some new organ
lzation as minority protest against the
New Deal party. AS each new congress
sional election has come along, the Re-
publicans have confidently predicted
H. nf~~ YD,,L t.