Evening star., 1938-03-14
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

Dictatorship versus democracy! That
is the main issue, the one which will
nave further tests and repercuSsions
throughout the world, springing from
the forced union of Austria with Nazi
Germany. 1t is an issue in which the
United States is vitally interested, one
which may seriously involve the future
welfare OF this great democracy which
has served in the past as model for
so many other independent and self
governing nations. In the titanic strug-
gle which is now going on between the
power Of individuals to dictate the des-
TIMES OF nations and the right of the
people themselves to decide through
democratic expression on the course
they wish to follow, many countries are
still looking to the United States for
moral support and for guidance in de-
termlnlng the policies which they will
adopt and pursue in trying to steer
clear OF the rocks of dictatorship. That
such support and guidance should be
given in some form by this Government
is the admitted opinion of all far-seeing
political thinkers, both in and out of
the Government in this free America.
How best it can be furnished is a ques-
ton for those in control of this Nations
foreign relations to decide; but with the
growing boldness of dictatorship. as
strlklngly exemplified in Der Fuehrer's
latest attempt to emulate the Caesars.
it is an issue on which, when the his
tory of this twilight of democracy is
written. America is not likely entirely
to escape condemnation if 1t fails to
raise forcefully protesting voice.
confusion worse confOunded" is the
situation into which the controversy be-
tween the chairman and the two other
directors of the Tennessee Valley Au-
thority seems to have been plunged as
a result of President Roosevelt's attempt
to pour oil on the troubled waters at
his Inflated White House hearing"
This move served only to intensity the
white heat in the cauldron of conflict
and to bring prominently into the lime
light the deep, fundamental differences
which exist between two schools of
thought as to how far Government con-
troll should extend in the furnishing of
electrically generated power. The final
solution of this problem, well-informed
authorities here believe, may be some
distance in the future In the mean
time the immediate question as to how
dlHerences in the board may be ad-
Justed SO as to prevent "stalemate,"
which failed of solution last Friday, is
awaiting an answer. With widespread
talk OF congressional investigation as
the only ultimate way out of the i'm
progllo, it is not believed likely that
any decision. pro or con, will be reached
as to method of settlement until after
next Friday when both Chairman Nor
gan and his fellow directors have been
given opportunity to make full presenta-
tlon to the White House of their oppos-
Ing arguments in the case
SO extensive will be the hearings on
the proposed reciprocal trade agreement
between the United States and the
United Kingdom that they will be held
IN four separate places in Washington,
tnree Government buildings and ho-
tel ballroom. This is the first time in
the history of any of the trade nego-
tlatlons which this Government has
conducted with other countries that it
has been necessary thus to divide the
preliminary work Of hearing the testi-
mony OF those who wish to present their
views. The list of companies and in