The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1938-02-24
Too Many Laws

w.shington.--It always has been
,...restinp to me to see how politi-
.;sns frequently overlook real is
.,es in national affairs. Many times
49,. 49,. simulate the hound that over
~. the rabbits. That is the rea-
IN. vhy so often a new man In pub
~ life suddenly rises to leadership.
q. has taken hold of a bad situa-
tion that is right under our feet, Of
s.rad a constructive solution and
h.s dealt with an imminent condi-
49,, rather than schemed for reelec-
tion through political fence build
Snese facts lead directly into a
~ ~ current history. It will be re-
..,,ed how Bruce Barton campaign
- through congested sections Of
Nsv works Manhattan island for
an unexpired term in the house OF
representatives last fall. About all
that Mr.. Barton said Of consequence
!, his campaign speeches was that
Mere are too many laws. I think
that Is obvious. When he was CAM
paiening on that line, he was speak
ine for great masses OF inarticulate
citizens. ... ..-.
p,,t Mr.. Barton went further. He
announced his intention to seek re-
veal Of one federal law a week I'M
III there Is some semblance Of rea-
sm in the structure Of federal laws.
Now, of course, Mr.. Barton is
verv new In politics. He had been
Keeping his nose to the grindstone
= business. He knew only what
ether persons outside of politics
knew, namely. that high pressure
ninorities, sour pusses and nit wits
we're getting one law after another
through congress, and that, in the
ead those laws would be ruinouS to
Ne country as q whole. Whether
NJ. Barton thought he would sue
eced or whether he recognized the
fact that he was only making q
start, It does not matter. Bruce Bar
ton has taken hold Of an obvious IS
sac In national affairs and it is not
outside Of the realm Of probabilities
that he Will "go places" with his
prugram. Thus far, it must be said
that Mr.. Barton has succeeded only
In getting . dozen repeal bills into
the house committees through intro
duction In the house. None has been
asted on. Few probably viii be act
d on-if the house runs true to
form. That IL to say, Mr.. Barton
Il . Republican and the house Is
controlled BY Democrats and New
Dealers. Naturally. they viii give no
opportunity for the opposition to
ain credit for anything, no conces-
Ion ct all.
The significance Of the Barton
program goes much deeper. how
sVe1, and 1t Is Of that significance
that I want to write. Through more
than twenty years a. an observer Of
national affairs here In Washing
ton, obviously I have witnessed
many issues develop. or be created.
e Be discovered. It seems to me
that the really important national
issues are those that develop, as the
Barton program is developing. That
means the issue Is fundamental: it
means, further. that there Is no ne
sessity for building the issue, and
1t means as well that it involves
vital questions Of policy.
As I said above, there are too
many laws. too many don'ts and
very few dos. Restriction and regu-
lation always breeds more restric-
ton and regulation. The Roosevelt
administration has been constantly
saying don't" In the shape Of laws
And the tremendous majority In con-
sress has been giving President
Roosevelt almost unlimited power
70 DO as he wants to do beyond the
DON'T" legislation. So the Barton
program would restore a great deal
On freedom to the people them
seiVes and would restore to con-
1ess much Of the power that it has
even to the President. To carry
oat thought further, then, the Bar
eon program actually seems to me
70 propose saving only those laws
mat the progress of civilization
SHOWS to be sound and workable.
Time In Cnk Their, FNn<