The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1937-08-19
11l|olI'i'ia219&IS5jjj Big e(kZ
National Topics Interpreted "a G|I1kS
by William Bruckart TT1TYfTRTW
National Press D.. C. AEn-=-7f1T

Washington.-Pres Roosevelt
stated to the newspaper correspond
W, ents in his press
Wants Crop conference the 9TH
Control Back er day that crop
control must be
brought back. He said it with some
emphasis. Within few days before
that, he had given his approval to a
Dill placing minimum on wages
and a maximum on hours in which
labor could work in industries whose
productions enter into interstate
commerce.
The President was not specific as
to details of the legislation in either
case but it is important to note that
he has reafirmed his position on
these two principles for it is to be
remembered that both the MIRA and
the AAA were thrown out by the SUI
preme court a long time ago, and
the President seeks now to restore
them in another form.
This circumstance would seem to
confirm assertions that have been
made in various quarters lately that
the President wants to maintain a
planned economy" for this coun-
try. 1t would seem that he is de-
termined to 60 ahead along those
lines and that his program for reor-
ganizing the Supreme court was a
part and parcel of the scheme. In
other words, the Presidents new
declaration about crop control and
wages and hours and his support of
the Wagner housing bill represent a
return to the original theories which
he held for 'remaking" our nation.
After discussing these circum-
stances pro and con with proponents
as well as opponents in the con-
gress, the conclusion is unacceptable
that Mr.. Roosevelt and his advisers
are headed into new ground. They
desire evidently to make the federal
government the most important fac
| tor in our national life and to set
aside little by little the functions Of
state and local governments by their
course of action.
Undoubtedly there is strong argu-
ment for the policies they have
adopted; certainly, there are many
functions which the national govern
ment can perform more effectively
and more efficiently than they can
be performed by state governments,
and equally, it is true that some
phases of our national life should not
be subjected to the influence of state
lines. On the other hand, there sure
ly is valid reason why Washington
bureaucrats should not be allowed to
interfere in the daily practices and
convictions of individuals.
The reason I believe all of this
is so important now is that always
there has been a tendency of fed
eral functions to expand. To say
this in another way: Federal Of
ficials from the lowest to the high
est seem to be equipped with a par
ticular faculty for delegating to
themselves additional authority as
soon as they are accorded power.
What the country should fear then,
it seems to me, is the steady en-
croachment upon the rights of states
and thereafter the rights of individ-
uals. Perhaps should have re-
versed the order and should have
said, first, encroachment upon the
rights of individuals and, second,
thereafter encroachment upon the
rights of states.
Now, there are those persons in
considerable number who believe
sincerely that the federal govern
ment is the agency through which
all public functions should operate.
I cannot agree. Rather, long ex-
perience in Washington convinces
me that the old, old argument for
state rights-so long one of the ten
cts of the Democratic party-has
too much merit to be overthrow
without consideration for the effects
of the new theories. 1t may be that
human nature has changed enough
to accept new theories and live
happily Hereunder but l am quite
convinced that human nature does
not change so fast.
To get down to cases in applica-
ton of the principles discussed
-, above, let us con-
Wages and slider the wages
Hours Bill and hours bill.
7 t m ur e
shows how this encroachment takes
place and gives rather clear pic
ture of the expansive nature of fed
eral policies.
The wages and hours bill first ere
ates labor standards board. It is
circumscribed by certain limitations
which say that it cannot fix wages
above forty cents per hour nor can
it reduce the number of working
hours per week below forty. Fur
Their, great number of lines of
work are exempted from jurisdic-
ton of the board-work of a season.
al character, farm labor, labor in
certain specified industries which
obviously cannot be subject to regu-
lation without destruction of the
business itself. Besides these re-
strictions, there is an implied warn
ing in the bill against sudden or
abrupt changes in business prac-
tees that would dislocate industrial
operation or curtail employment.
These delimitationS would seem to
leave the board without great deal
of authority. Such, however, is not
the case. Among those industries
remaining under jurisdiction of
the board, there is yet as much pow
er as obtained under NRA and its
codes which were so hidebound and
so inelastic that thousands of firms
were in open rebellion against the
restrictions unless they were able to
pass on the higher costs resulting
from these restrictions. to the Dl1b-