Evening star., 1937-06-29
Rate by Mai-Payable in Advance.
All Other States and Canada.
Member Of the Associated Press.
A New Landmark.

"A 4NSV AoX111I11dIhe
OF all the phases of the New Deal
administration-and many of them have
been eccentric-none has been quite so
novel as last weeks three-day assemblage
OF legislators and Executive upon a
closely guarded island in Chesapeake
Bay. The President OF the United States
was host to all the members of his party
In Congress, host in effect although the
invitations to the poW-woW were issued
by the members of the club. They went
In three squads, not merely to suit the
accommodations, but to permit intimate
contacts between Executive and legisla-
tors. There were refreshments, sub
stantial and stimulating. There were
festivities and conversations, conferences
and augmentation. At the end of the
series Of meetings it was announced that
the spirit of reunion had entered into
the souls of those who attended and
that the path was cleared for the enact
ment of measures upon which the ad-
ministration has set its heart and against
some of which many of the legislators
had previously entered demurrer.
Harmony is, OF course, essential to
party government. Disharmony, due to
disaffection and disapproval OF proposed
legislation, is fatal to the party's cause.
And this Government of the United
States is by parties. Therefore the party
that is "in" must be united to attain
its ends. If the words of party plat
forms are to be carried into effect in
the form of laws, there must be unity
But the Constitution-which is still at
least in theory the governing instrument
OF fundamental law-makes no provision
for legislation through the amalgama-
ton OF the legislative and the executive
branches. 1t specifically provides that
sall legislative powers shall be vested
In Congress of the United States which
shall consist of a Senate and House of
Representatives" The executive power
Is vested in President, who may veto
legislation, subject to passage Of meas
ures over his veto by a two-thirds vote
OF the two houses. He may, from time
to time, recommend to the consideration
OF the Congress such measures as he
may deem necessary and expedient. That
Is the extent OF his authority in respect
to legislation.
This spectacle on Jefferson Island car
ries the executive authority beyond that
range. 1t establishes Congress- -Execu-
tive branch of government. The minor
ity party is ignored and the influence of
entertainment and jocularity is exercised
upon recalcitrants of the majority party
in virtually secret session. A pleasant
time is had by all-all who are invited.
No records are kept OF arguments and
persuasions. And at the close a glad
some cry is sounded, cry Of jubilation
over the spirit Of harmony that pre-
vailed in the course of the seventy-two
hours OF feasting, story telling and re-
taxation.
When one of the Presidents in a spirit
OF innovation a few years ago estab-
lished renewal OF precedent in going in
person before the Congress at the be-
ginning Of session, to make his con-
stitutionally permitted recommendations
by direct voice, it is related that one of
his predecessors remarked in chagrin:
"Why didn't I think of that MYSELF"
Since then 1t has been the regular GUS
tom Of Chief Executives to speak from
the throne" upon important occasions.
A new usage had been established and
remained practice. Will now come a
new practice, an ultra constitutional
mode. but nevertheless perhaps effective,
OF corralling the members of the ma
5ority party upon an isolated bit of land,
spreading before them a feast of food
and drink and wit, with perhaps a strong
political ingredient supplied by the mas
ter Of the party fortunes of individuals?
1t may be so. These are days of
novelties. in party management as well
as guidance and discipline. Jefferson
Island may become one of the land
marks OF American history.