The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1939-08-17
ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS "
When, on the evening of August
S, the weary legislators rang down
the curtain on the 18th Congress OF
the United States, after what an AP
dispatch described as "a final fu-
rious clash between a New Dealer
and Administration critics within
the Democratic party" hitory had
been made. And it is remarkable
history. For the 10th Congress broke
q Presidential grip over the legis-
lative branch of the government
that had held firm, showing only q
few moments of weakness, for more
than six years.
In the views of most commentat-
ors, business at large should be
gratified with what Congress did
and with what it did not do. New
and bigger spending plans were
roundly beaten. experimental
legislative proposals died unhonored
and unsung in committee, and the
few which reached the floor of eth
er House were buried under an
avalanche of Mays" A definite
start was made toward preventing
future government competition in
the field of private enterprise, and
also toward limiting existing COM
petition, particularly in the matter
of electric power. BY and large,
Congress showed definitely that it
wanted business recovery-and that
it was willing to do anything within
reason to achieve it, and was eager
to put the quietus on anything
which seemed to endanger it.
Typical comment comes from col
umnist Hugh Johnson, when he OBJ
served that the Debated revolt in
Congress against unlimited spend
ing and congressional insistence on
dts own Constitutional function to
say how, when, where and in what
manner public money shall be
spent should not be regarded as q
peevish reprisal against the Presi-
dent, but as "a general recognition
that for the past Is years we
have been in process Of silent rev.
olution toward personalized govern
ment." And, he added, some of con-
gress' acts ARE the most hopeful
signs Of real return to prosperity
and employment that we have
seen in many years. Timid, idle cap
ital should begin coming out OF
hiding and going to work to put men
to work"
Congress economy mindedness
was the most significant develop
ment to the dramatic session from
the point of view of industry. And
It developed with rush in the clos
ing weeks. Administration sponsored
appropriation measures, including
the much-publicized "self-liquidat-
ing loans bill, were mangled be-
yond repair in committee. Appro-
priations actually authorized were,
Of course, extremely large-but they
were much lower than many admin
istration officials wanted and thot
necessary.
It is obvious that Congress "re-
beM0n" will have a considerable
influence on political events Of the
future. It has heartened the Re
publicans, and given them new
hopes of a great victory in 1910
though impoverished commentators
seem to generally feel that the COP
had better hurry and find person
able candidate and begin building
him up if it is to have an even
chance of electing the next Presi-
dent. And it has caused immense
rejoicing in the ranks of the con-
sentative Democrats, who want to
dominate the next Democratic con-
vention, and put q middle-of-the-
road candidate in the field. It is q
patent fact that while Mr.. Roosevelt
may not have lost his control Of the
party nominating machine, 1t is
definitely slipping. One more sue
cessful congressional rebellion
against the White House might
make his influence comparatively
negligible.
Time will prove or disprove that
But here's something you can bel
on-next years political wars, both
within the major parties and be.
tween them, will be among the bit
terest In our often-bitter politica
history.
Gold produced in South Africs
last year was valued at $3.50, 600, 600
MCKEE. SAYS