Evening star., 1937-01-03
Congress
CONTINUED From First Page.)


CONTINUED From First Page)
Wisconsin Progressive, will be assigned
as an independent.
Asked about Senator Norris of
Nebraska. former Republican who was
reelected this year running rs an
independent, Robinson said he had no
word yet on that but added that the
veteran Nebraskan will be protected
in his seniority.
Neither will be disturbed in their
seniority" said the majority leader,
referring to both Norris and La Fol-
lette.
Patronage of Holt.
The question of Senator Hollis pat
ronage Senator Robinson regarded as
"a closed incident" Holt. West Vir-
ginia Democrat. was notified recently
by Chairman Hayden of the Senate
Patronage Committee that he would
have to give up certain jobs that had
been allotted to his appointees at the
Capitol. To a further question as
to whether Hollis committee assign
ments would be affected. Senator
Robinson said:
"As far as know, he will not be
disturbed on committees"
Turning to the general outlook for
the session, the majority leader stated:
i am not prepared to say any spe-
cial subject At this point could be re-
garded as the paramount issue Of the
session. 1t is we'll known that pro-
posals will be advanced in regard to
neutrality. Also, that issues will arise
as to the aggregate Of appropriations
necessary for unemployment relief and
cash benefits to farmers"
Asked about the outlook for curtail-
ment Of expenditures he continued:
Il am in sympathy with a policy
that will bring expenditures into closer
accord with revenues. 1t is not to be
expected. in my Judgment, that the
budget will be completely balanced
in the next fiscal year. am hopeful
this may be accomplished within two
years. Frankly, balancing the budget
amounts that may be necessary in
connection with unemployment relief
and benefits TO farmers. With notable
increases in revenues and with that
reduction in unemployment which
fairly may be anticipated from revival
Of business now in progress and ex-
pected to continue. it seems to me
that balance ought to be made with
in the period already stated"
View on Wage Hour Laws.
To questions regarding the possible
ity of a constitutional amendment TO
deal with labor conditions, Senator
Robinson said
THE question relating to maximum
hours. minimum wages and child labor
is prominent in my mind. A consti-
tutional amendment may prove neces-
sary. Undoubtedly the subject will
receive consideration early in the ses-
sion and as it progresses.
II am strongly inclined to the opin-
ion that a well ll-conSidered constitu-
tional amendment may prove the best
method. To me it is a very unsatis-
factory condition that neither the
States nor the Federal Government
should have power to prescribe max
imum hours and minimum wages.
1t is my thought that the power
should be established either in the
States or in Congress, and that the
decisions of the Supreme Court pre-
clude effective legislation without an
amendment. Admittedly, such an
amendment would provoke much de-
bate and require considerable time.
do not preclude myself from sup
porting any legislation which I may
become convinced will make possible
reasonable control by public au-
thority over the subject matter of
maximum hours and minimum wages
II think the decision on the New
York maximum hour, minimum wage
act is bad law. It is binding, of
course. and am making no attack on
the Court"
Senator Robinson said he does not
look for any important revision of
the Federal tax laws, adding:
personally, should like to see a
modification Of the surplus corpora
ton tax, passed at the last session, so
that investments in new enterprises
and business may be encouraged. Ex-
perience has proved, in my opinion,
the value of the 1886 surplus corpora
ton profits tax as an important fac
tor in national recovery"
Corporate Tax Problem.
In addition to the possibility of
modification to encourage investments
in new enterprise, Robinson indicated
there might also be consideration of
some change in regard to heavily
debt-ridden corporations.
There are not sufiicient facts
within my knowledge" the Senator
continued, ito base a conclusion as to
the amount that will be required for
unemployment assistance. It does
seem, however. that with industry
operating full time and business gen.
orally prosperous, there ought to come
in the early future decisive cutting
down in the number Of Federal en-
ployes, particularly relief workers
This does not mean that if industry
fails to re-absorb the workers into
private employments that they should
be left without assistance from Fed
eral sources.
Robinson said that he believed the
reciprocal trade agreement law, which
expires this year. should be continued.
He said that he did not expect any
general tariff revision bill to be sub
mitted. He gave no encouragement
to suggestion that the Supreme
Court should be Disturbed in its nres-