The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-12-21
(By Staff Writer)


several weeks, and every return
ing member is made aware, by
more or less devious means OF
communication, that it would be
smart for him to vote for this,
that or the other proposal-or
else.
"Or else" in a year when all
the Representatives come up Tor
reelection calls for little explana-
ton. Of course, it is never-or
hardly ever-put as bluntly as to
say to a member of Congress that
if he doesn't vote for a given pro-
posal the heat will be turned on
and he will lose lot OF votes
which would be extremely use
full in his district. But when it is
considered that practically half of
the members now sitting got in by
such close margins that a shift
of only a thousand or so votes
would have elected the other fell
low, it would seem as if it would
MT take much more than a hint
to swing good many members
votes.
That is the popular notion of
the way the lobbyists work. 1t
has been made the theme OF many
a romantic piece of fiction, and
lot of folks who don't know how
the wheels actually 60 round IN
Washington are inclined to think
of their Congressman as rather
spineless weaklings: concerned
with nothing but their own per-
sonal continuance in office. That
is a wrong picture, for several
reasons.
High Principles.
First, it is not as easy to mtlu-
ence the average Congressman or
Senator to vote in favor of any
measure which he does not hon
estly believe is for the public
welfare, as many folks think it
is. The average of high and hon
orable principles, on every ques-
ton of importance that comes up
for consideration in Congress, IS
probably higher than in any 9TH
er legislative body in the world.
There are honest differences of
opinion, and preference to follow
the party leadership, but the re-
cord of the first session Of this
Congress carries its own evidence
that there are many members
who put their honest convictions
above party policy.
To be sure, there will be lot
of votes cast, and on important
questions, because of their pos
sible effect upon the success OF
one party or the other; but on
the whole, the controversial is
sues will be determined by the
majority opinion of their merits.
There is no likelihood Of short
session. There will be too many
questions on which members OF
both parties will want to put
themselves on record, for one
thing. And for another, the actl-
vities of the Hobbies, working with
pressure-blocks of Congress, will
be greater than in the first ses-
sion.
Possibly more controversy will
be aroused over the tax situation
than on any other one subject.
It is difficult for outside observ-
ers to see how increased taxes
can be avoided, if even part OF
the Presidents program for en-
larging the national defenses is
carried through. And on that mat
ter the belief in Washington is
that the public is pretty solidly
behind the President.
Better Feeling Toward Business
The problem is how to raise
the additional billion or so with
cutting essential expenses in 9TH
er fields and without adding to
the tax burden on business.
There is a much more tender
feeling toward business apparent
here than there has been in the
past. The force of the argument
Of business interests that they
cannot put more men to work it
they are not allowed to make
profits is being felt at both ends
of Pennsylvania Avenue. The only
alternative to increasing taxes,
however, seems to be additional
borrowing and increasing national
debt beyond its present legal Ii
NIT. Any economies, however
drastic, made in other depart
ments, seem certain to be offset
by increased expenditures for
the Army and Navy.
The agricultural relief situation
is one of the things which this
session will be called upon to- re-
adjust. One of the most powerful
pressure blocks in Congress,
backed by the most powerful of
all the Hobbies. is the farm block.