Evening star., 1937-08-24
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II Other States and Canada,
Member Of the Associated Press.
Democratic insurgency.

respect to the treatment of those men,
oers OF his party in Congress who have
not gone along with him in his program
OF legislation during the session Just
closed, the responsibility rests upon those
who have sought to interpret him in
public speech and who have denounced
as deserters and rebels those Senators
who have opposed the presidential pro-
gram in Congress. The speech of Sena-
tor Guffey of Pennsylvania was a call
to arms against certain Democratic
members OF the Upper House who, he
predicted, would be driven from the
party because of their recalcitrance.
This speech contrasted strikingly with
an address made almost simultaneously
in Indianapolis by Postmaster General
Farley. in which the chairman of the
Democratic National Committee de-
cared that there would be no reprisals
against the Senators who had fought the
Presidents court plan and predicted the
AeIul IL o1 pdll lldlIIlONy.
Choice must be made between these
two policies. The course of reconciliation
inferentially pledged by the Postmaster
General-Chairman will entail the aban-
donment of some of the Presidents ob-
jectives, further pursuit of which can
not fail to meet with continued opposi-
ton. The course of reprisal predicted
by Senator Guffey is calculated to evoke
further and more determined opposition.
II these two addresses were trial bal
looms" as has been suggested, they have
already indicated a drift of public opin-
ion, perhaps without definite inclusion
within the Democratic party, but GER
tainly significant of considerable sup
port OF the late insurgence. The de-
feat Of the Presidents court packing bill,
to which the Senators named by Sena-
tor Guffey contributed, undoubtedly met
with favor in all parts of the country
regardless OF party. Postponement of
action on the wage-hour bill, tantamount
for the present to a defeat, was espe-
cially gratifying to Southern Democrats.
While the picture in respect to this par.
ticular measure may be changed some
what at the next session, whether an
extra session in the Autumn or the
regular session beginning in January, is
matter OF conjecture. Denunciation
OF the opponents Of this measure as un-
worthy Democrats properly subject to
discipline is calculated to intensity rather
than allay the hostility to this part Of
the Presidents program within his own
party.
The alternative OF a labor party Is
presented as the prospective consequence
OF failure to discipline those Democrats
IN Congress who did not go along with
the President in his legislative program
for the past session. A Democratic
labor alliance can be maintained only
by full delivery OF the goods. That
has not been DONE Thus the President
must now choose between his rebellious
Democratic followers and his labor al
lies, who are ready and it would almost
seem eager to launch third party, the
effect OF which would be undoubtedly
a heavy drain upon Democratic political
resources.
II the President, as some of the Demo-
cratic insurgents predict, makes a vaca-
ton trip to the West Coast during the
Autumn, speaking in the home States
OF the rebel Senators, defending his pro-
gram and asking the defeat of his op-
ponents at the polls, the fat will quite
likely be found in the fire. No surer
way could be devised to effect a party
split There are evidences that the
President is being urged to adopt this
course. He may well be wary of such
advice and Importantly He is a skillful
politician. No shrewder politician, in
deed, has ever sat in the White House.
But this situation calls for more than
ehrewdness. 1t calls for wisdom, pa
tience and, above all, for a recognition
OF the right of conscience which belongs
to every man chosen for legislative re-
sponsibilities to interpret his duty In
terms of the public welfare.
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