The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-03-30

WASHINGTON,

winch the NOlSISSS VI CAAS
ed States is divided. They are
the Republicans, the Conserva-
tive Democrats and the New
Deal Democrats.
OF the three, the Republican
group is the most efficiently or
ganized, under the leadership OF
Representative "Joe" Martin OF
Massachusetts,. On every ques-
ton involving political conside-
ration, the Republicans have con-
sistently voted as a unit.
The other two groups are dl-
vided and less sharply unified.
One branch Of the Democrats
are thick-and-thin supporters OF
President Roosevelt, and if they
do not actually take their orders
from the White House they go
along on any matter in which he
is believed to be especially in
terested.,
The third group, the old-line
Conservative Democrats, is
fairly well-knit element, compoS-
ed of Senators and Representa-
tives who regard themselves as
the real" Democrats and re-
serve the right to take issue with
the Administration on any ques-
ton which does not conform to
their ideas of the best interests
of their Party and the Nation.
The real leader of this third
group, which holds the balance
of power and can by its votes de-
eide the issue on any legislative
question. is Vice-President Gar
ner.
Difficult To Agree.
All of the Democrats would
like to go along with the Presi-
dent, but many of the middle
party find it difficult to agree
with many of his proposals.
Therefore a committee of four
Democratic Senators paid a per-
sonal call on Mr.. Roosevelt a
few days ago, to find out just
what he really wants of Con-
gress. They reported back to
their colleagues that the Presl-
dent wants particularly the fol-
lowing items of legislation:
First. the restoration of the
S15O,OOO,OOO for w. P. A, which
was cut out of the Relief appro-
priation bill against the Presi-
dental wishes.
Then he wants new laws to aid
distressed railroads.; an expanded
farm tenancy program and more
aid for cotton, wheat and corn
farmers; revision of taxes but not
to reduce the Governments in
come; extension of the mortgage
insurance powers of F. H. A. and
800 millions more for slum clear
ance work; no change in the La
Dor Relations law until the Fed
Grafton of Labor and the Con-
gross Of Industrial Organizations
have composed their differences;
a system of additional credits for
small business concerns and the
appropriation of the additional
$3.50 millions for national de-
tense for which he has already
asked.
The reaction on Capitol Hill to
the report made by the Presi-
dents visitors was that if that
was all he wanted he could have
it, all but the $15O,OO0,OOO for w.
P. A.
On most of the rest Of the Pres
ident'S desires there is substan-
TALLY no opposition in principle
in any of the three legislative
groups. There may, and doubt
less will be, a lot of partisan
quarrelling over details, but if
Congress felt assured that the
program reported by the volun-
teer committee represents all
that the President will ask of
this session of Congress, the road
ahead for the rest of the year
would be clear.
More DefenseS Wanted.
Hitler's latest move in Selling
what was left of Czechoslova-
kia after he had promised France
and Britain that he would go no
farther in that direction, has
thrown a scare" into officials at
Washington, and definitely I'M
tied all elements behind a ma
tional defense policy even more
extensive than has been so far
put forth.
Defense measures already vot-
ed or in process of passage
through Congress provide for a
Navy at least equal