The Kennewick courier-reporter and the White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1938-1939, 1938-10-20
ECONOMIC HIGHL1GHTs

ECONOMIC H1GHL1GHTs
In a little more than two months,
Congress will convene again. Ac-
cording to most forecasters 1t will
be a far more independent body, so
far as White House influence Is
concerned, than its last few prede-
csssors. The failure Of the Presi-
dent't party "purge"-every Sena-
tor against whom he campaigned
was renominated, and his only VIC
tory was the defeat by a very small
margin of Congressman O'Connor
of New York-has. the reports say.
aroused a belligerent spirit IN the
hearts of a large number Of law
makers who have been spending
their time sitting on the fence, In
fear of making commitments that
might cost them votes. --l
In still another particular this
congress, unless the unlooked-for
happens, will be different from those
1t Immediately follows. Legisla-
ton dealing with many vexatious
domestic problems will be on the
calendar. But this will be over
Swallowed, during large part Of
the session at any rate, by proposed
legislation arising from the chaotic
European and Asiatic situations, and
dealing with what this county will
do II and when war breaks out.
According to Business Week, sug-
gested "war proposals" for congress
fall into two broad categories: 81.
Measures to support domestic econ
omy disturbed by arrangement Of
the normal functioning Of trade at
home and abroad. 2. Measures an
ticipating the eventual involvment
Of the United States and this is
taken for granted In all quarters Of
the administration"
TO many observers, both kinds Of
legislation are ominous- for they
inevitably mean q tremendous In
crease In the control Of government
over business and individuals In the
event war comes. It Is strongly adj
vocated, for instance, that II our
trade abroad were thrown out Of
balance, the government must Gre
ate machinery to buy, hold and sell
both agricultural and industrial pro-
ducts which 60 into export. And
the government would become the
virtual Czar Of the securities mar
kets II q real war threw them into
chaos.
Going on with the facts, 1t Is said
that legislation Of the second cate
cory has already been prepared for
proposal. Under its terms, the gov
eminent would instantly take over
operation Of all transport, power and
communications industries the day
we declared war. It Is probable
that a law stringently limiting war
profits will be passed this has been
advocated by q number of presi-
dents. including Mr.. Hoover. The
government would be given author
ity to draft materials and supplies
even as it has the power to draft
men. There are some who think
that something very close to mill
tary dictatorship would be estab-
Hshed. It would Of course be nee
essary to invest tremendous power
IN the President, and through him,
IN the Army and Navy stats.
All this may seem far away, but
1t cannot be discounted when the
chance Of European war occurring
IS as great as 1t IS today. After the
peace" Of Munich, practically
every foreign observer and cores
pondent forecast that it would be
short lasting, and would result In
conflict within three years at the
outside. AS result, the legislation
that viii be proposed, and perhaps
passed, at the next congress to deal
with war. viii be Of great concern
to every citizen.
One piece Of legislation ~, the
Neutrality Act-may cause some
thing Of q storm In house and SEN
ate. Some influential members want
to revise the Act to greatly limit the
Presidents authority In permitting
commercial dealings with embat-
tied nations. The White House
wants to retain that authority, and
even enlarge it. If matters come to
q head, there's likely to be q knock
acknowledgement fight over this
vital piece of legislation, with no
holds barred.