Evening star., 1938-06-26
CLARK TO INSIST
0N|NDEPENDENCE
Frankly Regards Some of
Presidents Policies as
UnS0und.
Es the Associated Press.

Es the Associated Press.
FLAT RIVER, Mo, June 25-In
the face of President Roosevelt's de-
nand for Congress favorable to his
policies, United States Senator Ben
nett Champ Clark of Missouri insisted
today on his right Of political inde-
pendence.
Opening his campaign for Demo-
cratic denomination In this lead belt"
dress in his successful bid for office
in 1882, Senator Clark asserted
Il say to you with the greatest pos
sible frankness that some OF the ex-
periments recommended by the Presi-
dent I regarded as unsound policies
and when I have been unable con-
scientiously to agree with the recon-
mendations of the President, I have
differed with him with great reluc-
tance and have followed my own con-
victions.
II hold it to be the duty of any
Senator or Representative to resolve
all possible doubts in favor of those
W tosS AL LoNoI Va
them if possible 70 to do. but if thor
oughly convinced that they are wrong
to vote against them.
Such has been my course since I
have been member of the United
States Senate and such will be my
course as long as I remain in any po-
sition of responsibility under the Con-
stitution.'
Senator Clark was one Of the lead
ers in the Senate in opposing the
Presidents court plan and the gov
ernmental reorganization bill Two
Of his four primary opponents. Willis
n. Meredith and Joseph T. Davis,
have criticized him for failure to sup
port the new deal 100 per cent"
Speaking to crowd of 5000.
gathered from Eastern and South
eastern Missouri, Senator Clark said,
while he had opposed some Of the New
Deal policies. he took pride in the
record of accomplishment" Of the
President and the Democratic Con-
gress.
1T is not necessary" he said, "for
me to have agreed or to agree now
with every item of the great legisla-
tive program to rejoice in the ac-
complishments and benefits of the
record as a whole"
Senator Clark declared he would
stand again on the pledge he made
six years ago-"that I will use my
-ery best Judgment on every question
which may be presented to me"
Whenever the people of Missouri
arrive at the conclusion that 1t is
part Of the duty of a United States
Senator to agree sight unseen upon
sny policy as to which the Congress
knows nothing. then I will no longer
solicit their support for public ONCE"
he asserted
Il should think myself unfit to sit
II my seat II I allowed fear for my
own political future to influence my
vote on any essential matter"
Referring to some Of the New Deal
treasures he had opposed, Senator
Clark cited the first Agricultural Ad-
,ystment Act He said he opposed 1t
sn Its original form" because he be-
lieved the matter should be ap-
preached from the standpoint of a
policy Of plenty rather than 4 policy
Of scarcity"
He added that he favored and still
fsvors' system by which the farmer
should be compensated 80 far as DOS
sible for the extortions he has suf-
fered under the unfair protective
tariff"
The farmer, he said. should be per-
n1itted to sell his reasonable domestic
production at a fair price and should
be allowed to dispose of any excess
upon the export market at what he
may be able to get for it.
Turning to economic conditions, he
said he believed the recession in
business activity is coming to its
close"
Senator Clark added, however. that
ne did not think "a complete re-
covery can be accomplished until We
have greater degree of cooperation
In creating the psychological condi-
fion necessary for recovery than we
nave had for the last several years"
In my Judgment he said, 'it is
absolutely necessary for business and
industry to fully recognize the social
obligations Of property to humanity
in advancing social legislation for the
benefit Of those who have been under
privileged.
At the same time 1t is no less
essential for those charged with the
responsibilities of government to
realize that individual initiative and
enterprise are absolute requirements
If our traditional economic and social
system Is to exist"