The Washington times., 1939-01-02
PARTIES FACE
CRUCIAL TEST
IN CONGRESS-
Democrats Are Split,
G. 0. P. Stronger
By ARTHUR HACHTEN


tions, Conservatives, ModerateS
and New Dealers, the Seventy-sixth
Congress convenes tomorrow
noon in an atmosphere electri.
fled by concern over the course
President Roosevelt will pursue.
The annual message on the
state TO the union which he will
deliver in person to a joint ses.
sion Of the Senate and House
Wednesday. was eagerly awaited
for recommendations on legisla-
ton and its important bearing
upon the life and death struggle
within the Democratic party.
TEST OF LEADERSHIP
In view of the substantial Re
publican gains in last November's
the first Democratic
setback since their landslides be-
gan in 1882, President Roosevelt
is faced with a crucial test of his
leadership over Congress.
Consensus of scores of legislators
was that the session would see q
titanic battle between old.line
Democrats and New Dealers for
control of the marty
Vice President John Nance Gar
ner seemed to be cast for more
prominent role than heretofore in
the Roosevelt Congresses, the task
OF cementing the Democratic party
against forays by the Republican
opposition. Garner has been un-
usually active in the procession
conferences both on Capitol Hill
and at the White House.
FLEA FOR ARMAMENTS
That President Roosevelt's mes
sage will feature foreign relations
and dwell upon the wars and
threats of wars in Europe and
Asia, with an appeal for America
to swing into big armament pro-
gram, was revealed by Democratic
leaders who have conferred with
him recently.
While legislators forecast Con-
greSs would stand Squarely behind
the President in his rearmament
many spirited fights will
be waged over farm legislation,
Government reorganization, rail-
road rehabilitation, revision of the
Social Security and Wagner Labor
Relations Acts, the WPA and the
Administrations Spen d-and-lend
proposals to tighten the
law against using WPA and other
Federal personnel in election CAM
paignS and a batch of old.age
pension bills that will be dropped
into the hopper.
NEUTRALITY ISSUE
Another tussle over the neu-
trality law, parts of which expire
in May, was foreshadowed. And
notice has been given there will
be a revival of proposals for a
constitutional amendment to al.
low the people to vote on whether
they want to go to war before the
country can enter any war except
to defend the United States
against invasion.
This being a new Congress,
South Trimble, House clerk, will
open tomorrow's session. He will
call the roll of members and then
nominations for speaker will be
made and William B. Bankhead
will take over the gavel immedi.
ately upon his election.
FIGHT OVER HOPKINS
Meanwhile, Vice President
Garner will have convened the
Senate and the two branches W:
exchange resolutions that they
have organized and are ready to-
do business. A Joint COMMITTEES
will be appointed to notify the
President officially that Congress
is organized and ready to receive
any messages he cares to present.
The Democratic leadership in
both branches had yet to an.
nomce their programs for the
outset of the session-the meas.
ureS that would be first considered.
But it was believed likely that in
the Senate the first fights would
come over confirmation of Harry
L. Hopkins as Secretary of Com.
merce, and continuation by reap.
pointment of Donald Wakefield
Smith as a member of the Ma
tional Labor Relations Board.
MORE REPUBLICANS
With eight new Republicans and
five new Democrats in the Senate.
that body will present new faces
fresh from the elections. Though
the Republicans gained eight
seats in the Senate, there will be
continued the So-called Cherokee
strip OF Democrats in the rear of
the Republican side, because Of
lack of room on the Democratic
side to accommodate all of the ma
jority party.
The party lineup in the Senate:
Democrats. SO; Republicans, %;
Farmer-Laborites, 2; Independent
Republican, /; Progressive, l. A
total of SO.
In the House: Democrats, 262;
Republicans, 1859; ProgreSsives, q;
Labor Party, /; vacaa1A
cy, l, accounting for the 43
\Momon (1r:.Lon