Milford chronicle., 1939-09-29
HIGH-LIGHTING POLITICS
By JOHN RANDALL FACE

( AS predicted last week. the war
fever. or hysteria is subsiding in
Washington. Afte. the outbreak of
hosulities in Europe, the common
comment of the semi-hysterical was.
we'll be drawn in" There was loud
talk of censorship, as though we
were already at war; of putting the
ration on a wartime basis" which
meant almost total control of Amer
lean life as the controls tightened
Today calmer counsel is asserting
itself, impelled largely by the re-
turn of members of Congress to
Washington. There is growing de-
termination that America shall keep
out of war, which means remaining
neutral in f2Ss 80 well as in theory.
Republicans as unit are taking
their stand on the side of peace
and neutrality, and this means def
initely that any changes in the neu-
trality position of the United States
will be thoroughly discussed when
the special session of Congress con-
Ienes
One of the most significant changes
in official opinion here indicates the
almost certain probability that. once
convened, Congress will remain in
session throughout the emergency
to perform its constitutional func-
tion5. The New Deal had hoped that
ii could get Congress to return for
speclaI session, accept the neu-
trality amendments proposed by the
President to permit outright aid TO
Britain and France, and then ad-
tourn at once. For few days after
war became reality, many observ-
ers at Washington felt the Presi-
dent might prevail in this course.
permitting him TO rule by proclama-
ton after Congress went home.
AS members of Congress return.
their convictions are summarized
somewhat along the following lines:
Europe is abiaze America faces
critical issues. These issues are so
that they demand con-
stant watchfulness. Congressman
and Senators would be falling short
of their oaths OF office if they went
off vacationing during such times.
that Congress, when il is convened
in October, probably will remain in
until the regular ses-
sion convene5 next January.
One of the most incisive comments
upon the American sitaution was
given TO this correspondent by an
observer of many years standing in
1t seems to define the |
whole problem so well that it is
repeated here. as follows:
My slant on the situation is
this: the country is not at war
and, Congress willing, will nev-
er be at war; there is, there
fore, no reason for changing the
democratic system of govern
ment; this is still three-branch
government in which all bran
ches should bear their constitu-
tional responsibilities; there is
no necessity for Congress or the
Supreme Court to withdraw.
Il can see where it is desir-
able in national interests to have
national unity, but it must be
unity through cooperation and
not through the opposition
Withdrawing from the scene or
through one man seizing con-
troll"
Through the entire complex stu
tion, newspaper observers find a
on the part of Repub-
leans and Democrats who have dis
ented from the Roosevelt views in
he past to give him every support
o maintain this country's peaceful
Ieutrality. There will be growing
however. that their rich
in foreign affairs be
that they be consulted on
important moves. and that they not
'e asked to become mere rubber
lamps"
a..
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