The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-01-10

Babson Park, Florida, Jan. 10
Just a week ago today the nth
Congress settled into harness. They
have In this current session the
toughest job TO face In many. years.
Many unsolved problems have been
held over from the old Congress
And our legislators in Washington
face many new ones. Things are
moving fast. straightforward think
ing and no monkey business is the
order of the day. A great RESPONSE
bility for the course of action our
country will take rests upon the
shoulders OF the law makers we
voted into office last November 6. II
Congress measures up TO our ex-
pectations, our affairs are in good
hands. II its members succumb to
pressure groups and lack the cour-
age OF independence, we will find
ourselves in a bad way.
The Problems OF Congress
Neutrality or war have set the
stage for our current Congress
Whether we or they like it. this is
the dominating scene. aid to Brit
ain-short OF war" is the topic
which blankets the question of neu-
trality. repeal, or circumvention OF
the Johnson Act. Congress wants
dent and Secretary Hull before 1t
makes binding commitments one
way or another. Congress must
know just how desperate is Eng
lands situation. Congress must
know the financial resources of
Great Britain in this country and
other countries.
Investigating committees OF both
the Senate and the House can do
much to bring into the open the
truth regarding the position in
which our country finds itself to-
day. With honest. though small and
influential groups of men and wom-
en- already vigorously championing
both sides OF the war or neutrality
question. the average man and WON.
an is entitled to at least simple
explanation or Interpretation Of the
grave problems which today face
our nation.
Congressional Morale
Collectively, Congress is a most
sensitive body. Its feelings are east
ly hurt and it is easily swayed by
outside influences. | have always
thought that, left TO itself, any SEES
sion OF Congress would handle the
affairs OF this country in a truly
great fashion This would mean,
however. that Congress would have
to be handled like a jury. Left
alone to hear the evidence and to
discuss the facts. they would do
swell job. Cut Congress off from
mail. kilograms. telephones. the
radio, and the Hobbies and you would
have an honest. efficient. and con-
siderate governing body.
The average Congressman has
today a terrible inferiority complex.
Individually. and collectively. they
say, What's the use?' 1t will be a
miracle-and | still believe in mira
cles-if this 18th Congress does not
go down into history as a defeatist
group OF the worst kind. With few
exceptions, Congressman have little
money of their own. While they
talk optimistically in public about
Saving Democracy" they believe,
confidentially, that capitalism is
all done for this generation.
Reckless Spending
After all Congress reflects, TO
very large extent. the concern of its
constituents. the fears of the voters
who put them into office. The same
questions regarding the size of our
national debt, national income and
initiation scare them as much as
they do the average man in the
street. For years | have been advo-
eating proper pensions for Con
gressmen. AS the representative
of the wealthiest people in the
world. they ought. after certain
years of service, to be paid a sutfi-
cient sum of money to enable them
to live comfortably in event of de-