Evening star., 1937-08-23

Appraisal now will begin by the people
of the United States of the acts of the
first session of the Seventy Con-
gress, which has just closed. There will
be stock taking" an inventory of
values throughout the Nation to determ-
inc whether there has been a gain or a
loss as a result OF the accomplishments,
or lack of accomplishments, of the leg
islative body. There will be ample time
for this, and considerate Judgment will
be given to the subject. Discussion will
take place in city offices, in village stores
and on the farm as to the merits or
dement's OF various phases OF congress
sional action. This discussion will be
developed and amplified as results of
different pieces of legislation begin to
manifest themselves. The pros and
cons" of the situation will be argued at
length. The effect of this debate will
be so widespread in character that 1t
will not be lost on Congress itself, and
through It's repercussions doubtless will
make itself felt on future legislative
activity. Much of it also will carry over
into the political campaign next year and
reveal itself in results at the polls.
Never before has there been a regular
session OF Congress in which one issue
has run right through, almost from
beginning to end, as the dominant
theme" OF paramount importance and
overshadowing practically everything
else that was considered at the session
just ended. was that relating to the
Supreme Court. Even after the main
phase of the problem had been solved
with decision in the negative against
enlargement of the court, the shadow of
the fight which had taken place con-
tinued to hang over the Capitol. 1t
eliminated in a striking climax almost
at the end in the singing retorts to the
radio talk of Senator Guffey of Pennsyl-
vania, in which he had lashed out, with
threats OF political punishment against
some Of the senatorial opponents of the
court bill. The Senators who had been
attacked in this fashion-Wheeler of
Montana, OMahoney of wyoming, Burke
of Nebraska and Holt of West Virginia
lost no time before Congress adjourned
In making prompt and vigorous reply
to the "chiding" which the Pennsylvania
Senator had given them for their lack
OF support of the administration meas
ure. Following as 1t did, closely on the
heels OF the contest over the appoint
ment OF Senator Black as an associate
justice of the Supreme Court, it brought
the issue to dramatic finish.
\
Although Mrs. Dixie Bibb Graves, wife
OF the Governor of Alabama, who was
appointed by him to the Senate to sue
coed Senator Black, saw only two days
OF active service as a member of the
upper body Of Congress before 1t ad-
journed, she took an interested part in
the proceedings. On the last day of the
session, as Senator Connally of Texas
was expounding on the need for immedi-
ate action on cotton loans to help main
tain the price of that commodity, with
Senator Bankhead from her own State
taking part in the discussion, she sat at
her desk leaning forward earnestly
listening to every word Of the debate on
the subject.
International complications and the
degree to which readjustments involving
the interests Of many nations must be
made as = result OF warfare, have been
emphasized, probably In a more striking
manner than ever before, by the conflict
now raging in Shanghai. With thousands
of people compelled to leave hurriedly
because OF danger to their lives, with
business and international commerce
sadly dislocated, with problems Of vast
property damage which later will have
to be adjusted, in many instances years
being required before satisfactory settle
ment OF these cases will be completed,
and with numerous other issues raised by
the struggle now In progress between
the two nations, the Government Is
fully cognizant Of the seriousness OF the