The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-01-19


velt's first message to the new
Congress is hailed by friends and
foes alike as a mastery and
statemanlike presentation of the
principles of democracy and the
necessity of defending them
against aggression from within or
without, there is such a difference
of opinion, even within his own
party, over his recommendations
in his budget message that the
makings of a fine political row
seem to be shaping up.
All the information that comes
to Washington from the people
of the nation, through their rep
resentatives in Congress and the
newspapers of the country, indi-
Gates that the American people
are thoroughly sold on the ne
cessity of strengthening our ma
tional defenses in every feasible
way. The feeling that we are ap-
preaching a situation in which
we may be compelled to fight
to preserve American institutions
seem to be widespread.
At the same time, however,
there is a general belief that the
people are getting restless over
what many regard as unneces-
sary and futile spending, and this
public opinion will be reflected
in the discussions over the pro-
posals in the new budget.
Asks Nine Billion
The total amount of money
which the President has asked
Congress to appropriate for the
fiscal year beginning next July
first, is almost nine billion dol
lars; $8,995, 100000, to be exact.
The total revenue which the
Treasury estimates for the same
fiscal year is 1868, 100000.
That would mean a deficit of
$3,326, 100000, and an increase in
the national debt to almost As
billions if the money requested
is appropriated and no new
sources of tax revenue are found.
There is no dispute about the
Presidents assertion that if the
total national income, meaning
the earnings of all business and
individuals, can be raised to 80
billion dollars or more, the pres
ent tax rates will provide all the
money that the Government re-
quires.
The present national income is
around so billions. There are,
however, differences of opinion
as to whether the continuing of
the Federal spending policy will
help to boost business to the
point where further borrowing
by the Government will be I'M
necessary.
One line on which a fight
seems imminent is further appro-
priations for the w. P. A. The
Presidents budget message ask
ed for 875 millions to carry on
with w. P. A. until the end of
June. This was very much more
than anyone in Congress had ex-
pected would be asked for, and
it will not be appropriated with
out a bitter struggle.
When the last appropriation for
w. P. A. was made, Representa-
tive Woodrum of Virginia offered
an amendment which was accept
ed, requiring that the sum grant
ed then must last until the end
of February this year. Now the
w. P. A. reports that they have
not money enough to run beyond
the first week of February.
Congressman Want Praise
The determination not to give
the Executive any more blank
checks seems strong. Senators
and Representatives have long
been restless over their inability
to claim personal credit for much
of the Federal spending in their
own states and districts, and they
do not want to let the President
continue to get all the praise
from the voters benefited.
Another report of an investiga-
ting committee which held ses-
sions before the new Congress
n1et, is stirring up trouble on
several fronts.
The President took special &C.
casion during the campaign to
criticize the Committee on I'm
American Activities, headed by
Representative Martin Dies of
Texas, because the committee
had permitted persons to make
statements implying that Gov.
Frank Murphy of Michigan was
a Communist sympathizer. The
committee did not indorse those
statements. but Mr.. Roosevelt