Evening star., 1940-11-10
Vandenberg Supports
Campaign 10 Keep
Congress on Job
Senator Pledges Unity,
But Opposes Ideu
Of Rubber Stomp
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.

gress" is not his idea of the kind oi
national unity" which is needed in
this country, Senator Vandenberg
who has just been reelected in
Michigan, last night declared his
opposition to an adjournment OF
Congress at this time.
"If the crisis is as great as the
President himself indicated in his
campaign, then it has not been
ended merely by his reelection, y
added the Michigan Senator, an
outstanding Republican figure.
House Minority Leader Martin
opposition to an adjournment at
this time,
On the other hand, Speaker Ray
burn emphatically said he believed
Congress should adjourn without
further delay
Needed Laws Declared Passed.
There is no need for Congress to
remain longer in Washington" he
said, adding that Congress has
passed the legislation necessary for
national defense.
Congress should adjourn and
allow the fiscal and spending agen-
cies of the Government to digest
what has already been appropriated
and authorized" Speaker Rayburn
continued He said he knew of no
further legislative recommendations
the President had in mind to submit
TO Congress at this time. He has not
vet discussed the question of an ad-
iournment with the Chief Executive,
he said.
1t is apparent that the first clash
In Congress after the elections will
be the question of adjournment. if
the Democratic leadership persists
in its demand that Congress go
home. In some quarters, the
opinion was ventIred that President
Roosevelt might leave the entire
matter to the congressional leaders,
that for him to step in and urge
an adjournment might lead to
charges of dictatorship"
Representative Martin said "the
peoples Representatives should re-
main on the job in the crisis which
confronts the Nation" The fate
Of the country might easily be in
volved, he said, adding, that there
was plenty for Congress to DO if it
remained on the job. Work should
be begun without further delay on
a revision of the tax laws, which
would be necessary to meet the
situation brought about by the huge
appropriations for national defense,
he said.
Early Tax Work Urged.
THE Ways and Means Committee
should get to work on this matter
OF tax revision without delay" he
said. 1T should be done deliberately
and not hurried through next May
or June"
Senator Vandenberg also made
the point that action should be had
as quickly as possible on tax legis-
lation.
There is only four months to go
before a new income tax payment
period begins said the Michigan
Senator. If there are changes to
be made, they should be made with
out delay"
Senator yandenberg pledged him.
self to national unity" in this
country for defense and for keeping
America at peace. He said:
Il agree emphatically that we
want unity of objectives-in respect
to the swiftest possible achievement
of total preparedness and in respect
to keeping America out of these
foreign wars.
Pledged to Detectives.
Since both major parties are
pledged 10 these objectiveS, we
should have the unity which is so
desirable. On this basis, the world
shall see America united and in
vincible.
But we do not want unity at the
expense of constructive criticism be-
cause that is not the safe road to
results. We do not want unity in
the sense of totalitarian Govern
ment in which the voice of all op-
position is silenced
For example, there are many
phases even of national defense
which still need to be hammered
out in the process of free discus
sion. I refer to the need of greater
procurement power for the National
Defense Council. I refer to the
need for an Economic Defense
Council so that we can prepare
against an economic war which is
just as serious as a military war and
far more inevitable I refer to the
need for a financial plan to fight
off imitation on the one hand and
bankruptcy on the other, and yet
to put the public credit on firm
foundation. Secretary Morgen-
thau's proposal to increase the debt
limit is not an answer. 1t is merely
q paliative-and not much of that,
More and more borrowing is not a
plan: it is creeping suicide.
Unity in the nonpartisan pur-
suit of the national welfare is vital
at this critical hour. Unity in the
sense that all opposition to Admin
istration plans should relax its vigi
lance would be dangerous dis-serv-
Ice to the Administration itself
That is not the way Representative
government arrives at the right
answers.
Shipping Discouraged.
THE Republican Party must un-
srudgingly accept President Roose-
welt as the chosen leader Of our whole
people, Political sniping-on either
Ede-would be an offense. The
President and his Administration
can do more than any Of the rest
Of US in bringing about this healthy
status. But the Republican Party
continues to represent the largest
and most vigorous minoriy which
ever Joined forces in common