The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-02
Nv RAYMOND o1-APPER

Norris is going to run for the
senate in Nebraska against the
age of 81 and after SO years in
the house and senate.
Throughout that generation he
has been a pillar in democratic
government. Perhaps I haven't
made myself very clear in some Of
the things I have written about
congress. What I have been Try
ing to say is that it would be a
great thing for our country II
both the legislative and executive
branches could always be moved
by the kind Of spirit that I think
has possessed Uncle George Nor
ris during his long public life.
This Is not q reelection
blurb and Is not intended at
all as comment on his present
candidacy, but relates to one
Of the problems Of democracy
that of having men in pub
lie life who have sufficient
Judgment and force to make
representative self-government
effective.
II il not a question of whether
YOU agree with every position
Senator Norris has taken. Neither
has the senator been any amateur
in the business of practical poll
tics. He has had as good a bag
Of tricks as any of them. But
the point is that he has had some
thing more than that.
Possibly the real value of a man
like Senator Norris has been
largely in his independence and
imagination, and his capacity TO
follow through. His work in es-
tablishing the unicameral legisla-
ture in Nebraska was a useful ex-
pertinent in the mechanics of
democratic government. 1t was
an attempt to improve our old
model T.
We need more experiments in
improved machinery Of govern
ment. The machinery Of govern
ment can be improved just as any
other kind of machinery.
The senator's amendment to
abolish the lame-duck sessions
of congress is another instance
of his passion to make demo-
cratic government more eff
fective.
But his real monument may
prove to be the Tennessee Valley
Authority. 1t is large venture
in practical democracy. Through
imagination and persistence, Sena-
tor Norris used the power of the
federal government to bring to
life the natural resources of the
whole Tennessee valley in a way
that no private enterprise could
have done-at least it was not
being done and was not being con-
templated.
That undertaking gave new life
to the economy and social environ
ment OF an area previously neg
lected. The inspiration of iva led
to development Of the great water
power projects of the west. All Of
them are now proving invaluable
to war production.
WHAT do we have a right to ex-
pect Of our leaders in Washington.
whether in the executive or legis-
lative branch.
read in the New York Times
magazine something that General
Hershey, director of selective serv-
ice, said in another connection. He
said, The really great man is en-
lowed with a higher degree of
sensuveness, 80 that seeing
little sooner and farther than his
fellows the coming situations. he
can size them up in advance"
Senator Norris has had that
quality. In modern times it is not
enough to say that men In con-
gress reflect the people who elect
ed them. They must do that. But
is that sufficient? Or do we elect
men with the idea that they will
become expert in their Jobs and
see what is needed in advance and
get busy?
When you call in a plumber
you want him 10 know more
about fixing the plumbing
than you do. When I am build
Ing house 1 want the builder
to know more about IL than
know.
So when a man is paid 10 come
10 washington and work for the
people do We as taxpayers ex-
Pect MN Just TO keep his seat
warm Or do We expect him to
kow more about national problems
lhan we know and TO be seeing
ahead? From which are we going
70 get our moneys worth?
Mr.. Clapper is heard on KMo
MUTUAL broadcast MONDAYS and