The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-02

more GrOuDle rom WlCnln III
 In the early morning hours following the Roosevelt landslide of November 3, when it became apparent that the President would have the biggest majoriteis in his- tory in both houses of Congress, Charley Nicholson ruefully re- marked:
 @We're going to regret this"
 The day of regret now has ar- rived. The democratic majorities in both the House and Senate are too top-heavy, too unwieldy, too disloyal, and, last but not least. too lacking in pie. The patron age was dished out durnig the first four years, and new with more than 500 democrats yapping on Capitol Hill, the cupboard is bare.
 No Sugaring
 Here are four additinal reasons for the congressional fireworks ... against the Administration:
 l. Poor liaison between the White House and Capitol Hill. Roosevelt hasn't known what has been going on in Congress. His contact men have fallen down on the job. Charley West, who is supposed to do this, smirks, smiles but doesn't produce. Son James isn't supposed to talk to congress- men and probably wouldn't help much if he did.
 The White House hsa been neglecting to sugar up the con- gressional rank and file, and simultaneously the rank and file has forgotten that it was elected on Roosevelt's coat-tails.
 Pork Needed
 2. The boys on Capitol Hill need Pork Bill. They have al- ways had it in previous adminis- trations, but in this one, pork distribution has gone to Harry Napkins. They had nothing to say about it.
 Pork is all-important for greasing political mahcines They cannot run without it. Pork is not necessarily iniquitous, though it can be. Pork consists good roads, inland waterways, harbor deepening, flood control, postoffices, custom. houses.
 These are what increase a congressman's political importance at home. Folks point to the new post office and say: Congress man Jones brought us that" But during the New Deal, the folks say: Harry Hopkins built us that"
 The local congressman is out of luck. That's why Congress wat ed to earmark the relief appro- priation.
 Southern Revolt
 3. Congress has caught the spirit of rebellion from the court fight. This comes largely from the South. Southern Con- gressmen are not saying much about it, but the Supreme Court reform bill worries them. It is beginning to get mixed up with the Negro question.
 Also, defeat is contagious, and there is no doubt but that Roosevelt has lost the first round in the court reform fight. The idea gets round that if the President can be defeated on one thing he can be defeated on another.
 If allowed to go unchecked, this results in a runaway congress. This was one thing that ruined Hoover.
 This also is one reason Roose- welt is working overtime herd ing his straying congressman back into the fold. Those who have talked with him say he is getting tougher and more hard boiled. He has refused to give ground an inch, insisting on the whole Administration program or nothing.
 If he is tough enough and adroit enough, he may get it-though this time it isn't going to be SC easy.
 A. F. Of l.. Raiders
 ONE GRUDGE which Bill Greens A. F. of L. has against the c. I. O. is that the industrial unionites are encroaching on the preserves of established craft unions. Yet at this very mo- ment three of the biggest A. F. of L .affiliates are conducting ag- gressive raids in territory long claimed by the Railroad Brother hoods.
 One of the A. F. of L. forg- agers is the Longeshoremen's Union, which is trying to wrest waterfront freight handlers (em- ployed by railroads) away from the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. Seaports in every part of the country are involved in this row. It is so bitter that Roosevelut recently stepped in and named a special mediation board undner the Railway Labor Act.
 Most ironic sidelight is that George H. Harrison, head of the r.o iJxxIoxy n1arkc ic O 1,ann1hnl. nf