Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1937-05-20

When the President returned
from his Texas fishing trip he found
Congress disinclined to consider any
new programs of legislation beyond
what they already have before them.
but eager to get the decks cleared
and get out of Washington as soon
as possible. Also, he was told that
Congress vas taking his economy
recommendations seriously. and
might insist upon drastic cuts. not
only in appropriations for the regu-
lar administrative departments but
also for relief.
The real leader of the new "econ-
omy bloc" on Capitol Hill is Vice
President Garner. who makes his
ideas heard through the voice of
Senator Byrnes of South Carolina.
In the House, the spokesman for
economy is Representative Sam
Rayburn of Texas. the majority
leader. Behind these leaders is a
growing strength which is apparent
ly determined to make a vigorous
effort TO bring the national budget
into balance. The first step In that
direction. of course. is to spend less
money. The next is to raise more
revenue
Unless il becomes absolutely nee
essary TO replace the income from
the Social Security payroll taxes.
which would be the case If the Su-
preme Court declared that Act I'M
constitutional. there will be no new
tax laws at this session. but a gen.
0~,l atarbn,1in a,,I ranroa N y a inn
Of the whole tax system is planned
for next year. Meantime, both Hous-
es seem very earnest in their desire
to cut costs this year.
Relief Workers Organizing
The big problem is relief. The
pressure from municipalities and
states against any reduction in re-
lief appropriations is terrific. The
inclination of the economy bloc is TO
cut the Presidents recommendation
of a billion and a half down TO one
billion for relief; the mayors lob
by is demanding two billions.
Harry Hopkins, relief administrator.
is sounding the warning that even
the Presidents billion and a half
will not be enough. but would have
to be supplemented by an additional
appropriation next year.
Best Period Since War
Nobody. not even Harry Hopkins,
knows the answer The Federal Re-
serve Board confirms the statement
that industry is 10Y running above
the peak of the most prosperous
period since the World War. Fac
tory employment and payrolls have
more than doubled since the bottom
of the depression in 1882. But I'M
employment continues on a large
scale.
The Relief Administrations latest
figures show 1000. 900 persons on
the payrolls of the Works Progress
Administration and local and state
governments providing a dole for
another 1,500,0 900 families. The So
cial Security Board reports that
1.716,000 individuals are receiving
Old Age Assistance through state
old age pension plans in which the
Federal government matches the
states payments, dollar for dollar
The Resettlement Administration
reports 400, 900 farm families get
ting a monthly dole and 100000
more getting loans and grants.
That all totals up to nearly 6 mil
lion families getting Government as
sistance in a year of business pros
perity comparable to 1929. The larg-
est number ever on relief, when The
depression was AT its worst. was Z
million. Industry is reporting &
shortage of skilled workers, yet the
great army of the unemployed con.
tinues. Why?
Congress would like to know The
answer and the proposal for a com