The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-05-13

Five questions seem to predomi-
nate in virtually all discussions with
reference to Congressional activities
These are: What will be the final
outcome of the Presidents court
plan? What progress will be made
on the Presidents proposal to reor-
ganize the executive branch of the
government? Will the Presidents
relief recommendation be followed,
or will the $1,500,000,O proposed
be raised or lowered? Will new tax
legislation be brought forward now
or at the next session? When will
Congress adjourn?
There seems to be no political
wizards who can answer these ques-
tions correctly at this time. Howev-
er, all are the subject of much COM
ment and are of vital interest to all
citizens. The general opinion seems
to be somewhat as follows:
THE COURT PLAN-Congres-
sional mail indicates that interest in
the court proposal is still keen in
some sections of the country and is
tagging in others. This may be due
to the lull that often marks import
ant legislation between the time of
public hearings and a report to Con-
gress by the committee handling the
measure. At the moment there is no
indication that the President will Of
fer or accept any compromise. New
ertheless, the Chief Executive is a
master at reacting to public senti-
ment and his aides are known to be
busy in this field.
REORGANIZATION-Any whole
sale reorganization of the executive
branch of the government at this
session seems unlikely. 1t is reason
ably certain that the Congress will
not place entirely under executive
control those units now responsible
to Congress. Some minor shifts in
Federal agencies may be approved.
RELIEF-The general opinion
seems to be that relief expenditures
will not go beyond the billion and a
half recommended in the Presidents
budget message. They may be low
cred under the new urge for Feder-
al economy and a balanced-budget
now sweeping cities and crossroads,
factory and farm.
TAXES-Two schools of thought
prevail with reference to Federal
revenue. One is to attempt tax re-
vision at the current session so that
business, industry and agriculture
may know what to expect The 9TH
er school of thought is to postpone
tax legislation, with the exception
of reenactment of excise levies, I'M
til the next session converting in
January. Final decision on taxes
will be largely based on the econo-
my moves and the total of the relief
bill as it emerges from the House
Committee.
ADJOURNMENT - Here again
opinion varies and adjournment
dates in current discussions vary
from July to October. It must be
kept in mind, however, that a great
number of the members of Congress
maintain homes in Washington on a
year-round basis. For these, the idea
of break in the session-that is ad-
journment from say July to Septem-
ber-is not so attractive. Others fav-
or such a break in what has been a
difficult session, not from the stand
point of legislation enacted, but
from the standpoint of uncertainty
and efforts to properly proceed with
the legislative structure as recovery
nears. At the present time, adjourn
ment in September seems to be the
prevailing thought. But develop
ments might change this situation at
a moments notice.
Many of the questions can be
properly answered after the return
of the President. He may have in
mind new recommendation to Con-
gress that would change the present
picture. Thus, the homecoming of
President Roosevelt form his much
needed vacation, around May IS,
may have an important effect on the
affairs of government.