The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1937-09-16

The Reporter, est. January "a, /
April 2, 1914 at p. o. at Kennewick,
CONGRESS ADJOURNS
The adjournment of Congress did
not bring an end to political think
ing and argument. To the contrary,
in the few months remaining be-
tween now and the second session,
politics will be as much in the head
lines as ever, and behind-the-
scenes political activity will be ram
pant. AS Business Week says,
There's no getting away from
Washington. Perhaps never in
our history were the interests Of in
dustry and individuals so inextric-
ably related to the political situa-
ton. IT,. -.
AS this column has pointed out
before, the first session Of the 18th
Congress was as important for what
it did not do as for what it did. Left
over for consideration are large
number Of major bills, some OF
which passed one branch but were
deferred in the other, and some Of
which are still in House and Senate
committees. And it is fact known
to everyone in touch with the situa-
ton that the Administration is lay
ing plans for forcing through its
"must" program, large part Of
which was beaten last session.
Prime example of this is the SUE
preme Court Bill. The President
has said, almost in so many words,
that he still regards it as essential
to his program. It will be introduce
ed in the next session, probably in
about the same form as before. And
in the meantime, administration
leaders will do everything they can
think Of to bring recalcitrant SEN
ators into line. In spite of the mo
reprisals" talk, practically every
Washington newshawk still thinks
that the speech Of Senator Guffey
in which he demanded the defeat Of
such democratic senators as Wheel
er and Burke, was delivered at the
request Of the President, and that
"pro New DEAF Democrats will be
found opposing "anti-New Deal"
Democrats In future elections. Big
gest battle will take place in Mon
tana, where it Is thought, 28-year-
old Representative Jerry OConnell,
who is 100 percent for the New Deal
and the Go, will take the hust-
ings against Senator Wheeler.
The question Of relief will loom
larger next session than it did In the
last, where it was obscured by other
matters. In spite Of vastly increas-
ed industrial activity, relief rolls are
almost as great as in the depths Of
depression. Relief bureau officials,
such as Harry Hopkins, think that
relief will be a permanent part Of
government no matter how much
business booms: that millions will
be unable to find jobs. Critics say
that the relief rolls are kept large
for political use. No one knows how
many unemployed there are-Con-
gress has refused all suggestions
that census be taken. It did pass
a bill last session whereby, in eff
feet, unemployed are invited" to
join in q census, but this will OBJ
viously give no real check on the
situation.
Laws regulating business will be
another big factor. For example, q
bill passed the Senate limiting the
length Of freight trains, is now
pending in a House committee. The
railroads say the cost Of this bill
would drive them into bankruptcy,
unless provision is made for higher
rail rates. Also still pending is the
bill to create seven Federal hydro
electric authorities Of the IVA or
der, which never came to q vote last
session and was deferred for fu-
ture consideration.
Neutrality will be up again. Under
the present law, the responsibility of
deciding whether an actual state of
war exists between foreign powers,
falls upon the President-and mas
much as countries now fighting with
out declaring war this is tough
assignment. Peace organizations
want neutrality bill with teeth in
it, that will keep us as remote as
possible from foreign entangle-
mentS.
There will be more discussion
about taxes and the national debt,
which is now at an all-time high
of about $4,000, 100000. One con-
gressional group, which has the sup
port of industry, will advocate the
broadening of tax base. Even larg-
er taxes on upper-bracket incomes
are also a possibility. There is
strong backing in both political and
business ranks for a bill to repeal
the capital gains and losses levy.
So it goes. Next year will be big
political year.