Evening star., 1937-08-22
Congressman Are Now
Doing Crystal Gazing
BY OVEN L. SCOTT.

Many member Of Congress, reaching
home this time. Is going in for astrology
and crystal gazing. Above all else, right
now, Congressman want to peer into the
future for . glimpse of the mysterious
new forces that are going to determine
their political life or DEATH
|. Large numbers of President Rooseyelt's
supposed followers jumped ship recently
on the theory that the President, was
leading them to disaster. They have been
adrift since, looking for solid ground, and
now word trickles from the White House
that Mr.. Roosevelt may go to the people
with the story of what happened.
At the same time, the President is serv-
ing notice that he has set his course def
nitely toward the left. Wavering Con-
gressmen can join up or take the conse-
Quences
But the dificulty Of that choice Is not
made any easier by what is going on back
home.
While Congressman drift, debating
which way to turn. others are busy
There Is more than a suspicion that Mr..
Roosevelt is aware OF backstage develop
ments affecting the future of those who
have tried to cut loose from him. On
those developments depends the future
OF the New Deal. Tied in with them is
the talk Of purge"
Out in the Middle West, Gov Phil La
Toilette Of Wisconsin is unusually active
He and his brother Senator Bob La Fol-
lette, operate the Progressive party of
their State and do so in close working
alliance with President Roosevelt. They
now are busy behind the scenes promot-
ing tie-up with the Farmer-Labor
party IN Minnesota, with the Nom Par
tisan League in North Dakota and with
budding Progressive organizations in
Iowa, Nebraska and other Middle Wes-
tern States.
There is trouble threatened for old
line Democrats in this movement. The
La Follettes are astute and extremely
able politicians. They are young and
successful and possess a name that is
known far beyond the borders OF their
own State. These brothers can fit neatly
into the general framework of Progress
sive-Democratic party of the type that
Mr.. Roosevelt is determined to build
gradually by eliminating the conserva-
tives.
Yet, conservative Democrats control
the party machinery in the States that
now are getting the quiet attention of
the La Follettes. The problem appears
to be to ease these conservatives out of
control and to ease the La Toilette broth
ers into control-as Democrats-when
and II Mr.. Roosevelt can demonstrate
dominance OF his party.
This La Toilette activity in the agri-
cultural States of the Middle West fits
in closely with what John L. Lewis has
In mind for the industrial regions.
Labor's Non-Partisan League under
the wing OF Lewis, is in a position to cause
serious trouble to many members OF Con-
gress who have baked at a second New
Deal. 1t seems that some congressman
have made the mistake of classifying this
organization as machine to promote the
personal political ambitions OF the C. l.
o. head. Actually. its primary purpose
Is to get into Congress a strong bloc of
votes ready to 90 down the line for or
ganized labor
This outfit has money and experience
and the makings of a powerful vote
getting machine. 1t could go along with
Senator La Toilette and his brother Phil
and with the growing Commonwealth
Federation Of. the Pacific Coast to form
new third party. But. instead, the STRAIT
egy seems to be to work largely through
the Democratic party to see that left
wingers win In the primaries and In the
elections
The Lewis political machine sent chills
up and down the backs of many politi-
clans by demonstrating its vote getting
ability the other day in primary elections
at Akron and Canton Ohio Here is bloc
voting by highly organized minorsty-a
type OF electioneering that has thrown
fear into the ranks of Congressman since
the days Of the Anti-Saloon League.
Stories Of real rift between President
Roosevelt and John L. Lewis are to be
discounted. Each of these individuals is
suspicious OF the other. but their political
interests cross and will not permit a de-
structive clash.
The Lewis movement fits in with the
activities OF the left-wing Commonwealth
Federation. which is drawing more and
more attention in the Far West That
political movement, starting as an out
growth OF the relief problem during the
depression, IS reported to be gaining
headway. The two Senators from WASH
ington. Bone and Schwellenbach, are
products Of its activity
But that still leaves the South tied to
the apron strings of the conservative
Democracy.
President Roosevelts troubles come in
important measure from the party lead
ers Of this rock ribbed Democratic terri
tory. These Southern Democrats-the
bulk OF them as conservative as Old
Guard Republicans-dominate the i'm
portant committees of Congress and con-
troll the governing machinery of the
House and Senate. They posses seniority
and, in their positions of influence, stand
across the Presidents path.
Mr.. Roosevelt had that fact impressed
upon him indelibly during the battle over
the Supreme Court and in the fight for
minimum wage legislation. The John
Garners and Cotton Ed Smiths and
Harry Byrds anc other Southern leaders
have about as much In common with
Franklin Roosevelt as has Herbert
Hoover.
SO the President is having to give
thought to that problem
A suspicious amount of activity by am
bilious young men who are stirring
around in many Southern congressional
districts causes some of the sitting Con-
gressmen to wonder II President Roose-
velt has not already given thought to the
problem The search is on for some new
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