Milford chronicle., 1937-01-01
ECONOMIC HICHLICHTS
Happenings That Affect Dinner Pals,
Dividend Checks And Tax Bills
Of Every Individual


The spokesmen of the people
that is, the Senators and Represen
tatives who will make up the mex
Cougress-are converging on Wash
ington. They are settling themselve
In hotel suites, apartments, houses
They are meeting unofficially an
discussing the tasks that lie befor'
them. And they are looking forward
cheerfully or otherwise, to a yer.
heavy business calendar.
Leadership of the Senate will no
be changed from last session. Rob
inson of Arkansas, who was re
elected by staggering majority
will head the overwhelming Demo
cratic majority. McNary of Oregon
one of the very few Republicans OF
high public position who survived
the Roosevelt landslide, will be
spokesman for the COP minority. In
the House, the Republican leader
ship will also probably be the same
as it was last session, but there will
be a new Speaker. There is consid-
cradle competition on foot for this
very important post, but it seems
almost certain that Administration
backed Representative Rayburn of
Texas (who has been In the House
for more than a generation, but is
not widely known will get the nee
essary votes. His chief opponent is
Representative O'Connor of New
York, IL years a member of the
House.
These leaders and their followers
will have plenty to do between jan
uary and June. or whenever Con-
gress ends. 1t would seem, in view
of the great Democratic majorities,
that there would be little trouble in
approving or voiding legislation
but unless all the forecasters are
wrong, there will be many a burn
ing speech delivered from the floors
of both branches. many a bitter
wrangle in committee rooms.
For example, one of the biggest
questions facing Congressman is
that of appropriations. The Presi-
dent is said to favor a reduction in
government expenditures, is talking
of a balanced budget. Most Office
holders pay him lip service in this
but privately, many of them have
very different ideas. Biggest spend
ing bureau of the government is the
WPA. 1t is obvious that government
costs cannot be materially curtailed
without more or less drastic WPA |
Word has already |
gone out from the White House that |
the WPA budget is to be gradually |
reduced, starting with per cent |
slice.
So far so good-but when you cut |
WPA spending, you must discharge
and perhaps hundreds of
thousands of people from WPA rolls.
Each of these is voter. and each
voter may control two or three other
1otes. Congressmen-especially Rep
whose terms are only
.vo years, as against six years for
afraid of reprisals at
he 1888 polls If WPA beneficiaries
ire given the gate.
Present WPA funds will run out
long about January 81. More funds
will be appropriated-but the Presi-
Ient's ideas as to totals are likely to
'e very different than those of lesser
So he faces some in
ernal warfare when that matter
ONES up. Probably his wishes will
etermine the final outcome-but
here will be fireworks first.
AS contrasted with the burning
opic of spending, it seems only rea-
enable to presume that the Presi-
ent's desires will be followed with ,
ut much argument in most other ;
matters. He wants the Reciprocal
'ariff renewed. 1t undoubtedly will
e. He also wants the expiring RFC
iven a new lease on life-that too ,
ill be done, unless a miracle hap i
ems. So, with the Presidents power |
, devalue our currency. the hot-oil I
leasure, FHA insurance of default v
mortgages, and other measures $
'hich are now in effect under ex-' =
iring.
It is said that there will be no law Il
in different legal G
rms, the defunct NRA. and that f.
lie 3O-hour week bill will die leg q
lative death. l,
AS for the Administrations atti- 4
de toward the Supreme Court, h
Iere are many GUESTS being made, N
1t the only person who can say Il
,finitely what will be done, the n
resident, has said nothing. The re- n
mt Supreme Court decision on the
sw York unemployment insurance r,
ws has led some to believe that the
,urt is following the election re- p
rms" and becoming more liberal" n
:at remains to be seen. There is W
ways the possibility that, should o,
e Court void measures close to the al
heart. Mr.. Roose- h,
II will ask the country to pass a re
w Constitutional Amendment re-
'icting the Courts power. -
Business is naturally looking for 4
.rd to Congress convening with I
en- interest and some trepidation. :
aders hope the President will be 4
Ie to keep all factions contented. ,
ey naturally approve his announ-
! stand in favor of budget balanc-
!, and debt reduction.
- All
\ recent period. in the words of '.
Annalist, brought additional ev-
nee Of further improvement in in
,tries that have already expert
ed much recovery and indications -
a revival in industries that have
m tagging. 1t seems to be a SELL