The Coolidge examiner., 1941-12-12

sponsorship by the President was
made by several congress smen
These statements started the fire
works for it was a clear admission
that congress had delegated its leg
islative function to the executive
department and no longer felt that
it was in position to perform the
task for which it exists.
But the criticism grew even more
heated when the house of repre-
sentatives refused TO approve leg
islation which the public has de-
mand even after the President gave
his okay, indicating that the fear
of offending minorities is still up
permost in the minds of congress-
men. This was demonstrated in
the vote on the price control bill
which the house passed only after
first removing all of the teeth
which were considered essential by
the executive department.
For many months it had been
predicted that the house would re-
fuse to pass drastic legislation of
this kind because members kept an
eye on the elections next Novem-
Der and the action on this measure
made it evident that these prophe-
cies were correct.
The price ?control bill, as it pass
ed the house, calls for a five-man
board to control prices during the
emergency, but actually gives the
board practically no power, doesn't
permit the control of food prices
until they have gone up about 90
per cent higher than at present,
and rejects any control over wages
or services.
Many congressman admitted that
the measure was unsatisfactory but
decided to leave the formation of
an effective bill to the senate. Dur.
ing the debate on the measure
some of the more virile congress-
men pointed out that politics were
being played at the expense Of
every wage Garner in America
Outside of political considera-
tions, the only sincere objections
to the measure were based on the
fear OF putting too much power in
the hands of the executive depart
ment. The feeling of the group
which hold this fear was expressed
by Rep. Martin Dies of Texas, who
said:
IF we are going to delegate
those vast powers of life and death
control Of our system of free enter
prise, to a group of men who have
said to the country that they do
not believe in it then l say there
Is no other course of pursue except
to send this bill back to commit
tee, and by that action we will an
nounce to the American people
that congress is not a mere rubber
stamp. that congress has not sur
rendered its legislative preroga-
tive and it's dignity"
An analysis of the votes of con-
gress during the last year, how
! ever. clearly indicates politics"
based on the theory that politi-
clan can best hold office If he al
ways votes for appropriations but
never votes for taxes or curbs on
any groups.
The fact that the house, without
any fanfare or objection, voted
what amounts to an additional 10
billion dollars for veterans of for
eign wars and their families some
months ago, is now being publ
cized as evidence of this attitude.
The veteran bills, which are now
being considered by the senate.
provide extra pensions for the re-
latives and families of veterans
who were not in any way disabled.
Both houses are now consider
ing measures to control labor and
prevent strikes, but 1t is expected
that most drastic curbs will have
to be eliminated before an affirma-
tive vote can be recorded. 1t Is be-
lieved that the President will have
to appeal to the people to force
through any adequate legislation
although it is apparent that he
would much prefer to leave the
formation of such legislation en-
tirely in the hands of congress.
The settlement of these domestic
issues has for may weeks over
shadowed the war issue itself, in
spite Of the great tension over the
Japanese situation. Fears over the
possibility of war in the Pacific as
well as on the Atlantic were some
what allayed by report by Secre-
tary Knox, who said, The United
States today has the greatest navy
in the world. We are prepared to
meet any emergency which may
arise, on one or two oceans"
Reporting on the size of our
navy, the secretary said: 1--WE have
II battleships with Is more build
ing, Z aircraft carriers with IL