The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-01-06
DECKS CLEARED FOR CONGRESS
]. E. Jones

Washington, Dec. 31-The De-
partments, Bureaus, Commissions
and other agencies of Government
have finished their annual reports
and the President in the White
House is passing upon their i'm
portance, as he makes notes for his
message to Congress. The Monopoly
Committee, the investigation of un-
American activities, and high taxa
ton resulting from new policies of
government in recent years have
stimulated nationwide discussion.
The business interests, organized
labor and social security problems,
are all bound up in reports and
documents.
The decks have been cleared and
all propositions-from turkey to
| trusts, from peace to war and
agendas and programs are all fixed.
The Go sign is marked for the
opening of Congress on January 8.
Work Progress
Harry L. Hopkins has grown so
big as top-man of the WPA that it
is natural to find him climbing still
higher. He has been sitting in at
Cabinet meetings, keeping Vice
President Garner company-and
these two are the only honored OBJ
servers. They frequently disclose
their opinions to the Presidents in
ner circle.
There is a general feeling in all
official circles in Washington that
WPA is becoming out NODDED. The
system of relief is certain to come
under attack in the next few weeks.
1t will either be streamlined or cut
to pieces. That means possible di-
vision of authority between the Gov
eminent and the states, with more
local administration and less di-
rection from Washington.
Talking About "Going Calm
Most hopeful phase of revised
program for reorganization of the
Executive Branch of the Govern
ment is found in the observation
that the President and Congress are
now approaching the whole ques-
ton in "a calmer mood"
One wonders why there ever
ment and political hauling over this
matter, because anybody who knows
anything about the affairs of the
government knows that there is end
less overlapping of authority; and
that there is inefficiency and waste
All this could be corrected rather
easily if all political issues and pre-
JUDGES were scratched.
What's Wrong With Business
The Senate Monopoly Committee
and the Senate Profit-Sharing Com
mittee conducted hearings in which
they brought out helpful testimony
concerning American industry. There
was no brow-beating of the wit
nesses. Business didn't have to fight
back According to the investiga-
tions there's nothing wrong with
the American business system.
Time Through The Ages
We are pleasantly reminded by
Miss Elisabeth Achelis, president Of
The World Calendar Association,
that Christmas is festival season
with special significances to any stu
dent of the calendar. This outstand-
ing leader in the movement for a
practical revision of the 12-months
calendar excepting it 12-months
calendar) reminds us that "the most
important festivals of prehistoric
time were sun-festivals, one in mid
summer and the other in winter"
Christmas-time, was to primitive
man an important and critical peri
cd when the days were getting
shorter and the nights longer. So
men lighted bonfires of logs to give
the sun strength and bring him
back to life again. OF course their
efforts were crowned with success
they soon noticed that the days were
growing longer and rejoiced because
the sun had been reborn and was
coming back in glory and splendor
Those were sun-festival periods for
the Egyptians, Chinese, and other
people. Ancient rulers and gods were
honored by these festivals. Eventu-
ally the fathers of the church de-
cided to fix q date to celebrate the
birth of Christ, and wisely chose
that day so firmly fixed in the minds
of the people. And SO we see that the
exact date of Christmas was fixed by
the sun. There is beautiful Christ
mas thought for you.