The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-09-15
Gle Csecms Gimes
4
Roosevelt Labor Day
speech stines soIon,
Democrats bitter 81
being blamed for HCOl
Responsibility for high
living cost put on FOR

Ncsfo''ssSsuif Iof nt9u
living cost put on FOR
BY RAY TUCKER
WASHINGTON No Presi-
dental speech or sction ever
before antsgonized this DOM
insntly democratic congress 80
deeply a. y. n. RS orstoricsl
attempt 70 blame the legislators
for. the steady increase In the
cost Of living. Key men who
have enjoyed Roosevelt's con-
fidence retort that he himself
IL responsible for the failure
he says lays ~ their door.
And they are opening their pri-
waite files 10 prove their poliu-
cal point
When the House Banking
and Currency Committee can
vsssed the question in secret
session. Secretary Claude A.
Wickard and Price Administrat-
or Leon Henderson advocated
the ITO farm parity scheme
which the Chief Executive now
sssails- Although he did %
under protest. he signed the
bill containing this provision
~ . time when initiation al
ready afflicted the nations
consumers. The two men men
TONED. together with Vice.
President wallace. Federal Re-
serve System Governor Eocles
and Bernard NJ. Baruch. begged
the President 10 demand freex-
ing OF wages and agricultural
return In his famous national
defense policy" message to
Capitol Hill. His corn belt
scouts told him farmers would
not kick. provided he fixed In
dustriai compensation at q def
rite level He fatty refused to
accept their advice. He listen
81 to such urban eounseiors as
Henry Morgcnthau and Judge
Samuel I. Rosenman. The Jur-
ist assembled the data for. and
wrote. the Labor Day opus.
In appearing before an ex-
ecutive session of the War La
Dor Board some months ago.
Henderson strongly recommend
ed ceiling on the factory pay
envelopes. He exempted only
thos~ workers receiving what
he called q -suostandard In
come" He insisted he could
not check the upward spiral
unless he were given authority
over all factors which enter
the family budget. But the
Chief Magistrate would not ask
for that power and has not yet
made such q demand.
The boys and girls may cool
off-they frequently debut
even good party men are pre-
pairing for . showdown with
the president. They resent
what they call his effort to
.alibi" himself and also his
setting a deadline toctooer
first) for repeal Of the lilo par
ity figure.
The House banking and cur
rency committee. where any
action must originate, has an
agricultural bloc majority head
ed by able and stubborn Henry
Il. s,esgsil I'd. Alsesmsl. !,
may grant y. d. RS demand
but II will undoubtedly couple
any breakdown on farmers
with q stiff provision for pre-
venting further wage raises
under the formula promulgated
by the War Labor Board and
approved by Mr.. Roosevelt Leg
islators will be reluctant To
leave TO the White House the
task Of fixing industrial pay
at q specific level. for the Chief
Executive has failed TO keep
promises along that line IN the
past They face practical dif-
ficulties In deciding what ssen-
CIV or individual should admin
lister this authority because
they oetest Nj. Henderson. have
no use for Madame Perkins and
distrust w. L B. Chairman
William II. Davis And they
have no desire 70 ciothe F.DR
with more power. They prob
ably win wind up by creating
q board Of three who must be
confirrnei by the Senate.
The president also oastigated
congress for its delay IN pass
ing a revenue bill To thai
criticism outstanding PERSONAL
ties on Capitol Hill-sn4 they
ought to know-say the mea'
sure would be on its way To th'
statute books now had II mol
been for Treasury indeclsion
Every time the Ways snf
Means COMMITTEES was prepsr'
ed TO act. Mr.. Morgenthsu
aides rushed forward with new
and unworkshle schemes. Th'
members were willing 10 spee<
a separate law hosting excis'
levies. but the downtowner'
objected As a result. IL
estimated the Government los
two million dollars q cay il
income during the last tw'
months.
...ko~ssz.u -, n q ina