Detroit evening times., 1942-09-14
Roosevelt
War Power
Unlimited
Democrats in Congress
Blamed for Crisis
BY GEO. ROTHWELL BROWN
Special 10 THE DETROIT TIMES

W WASftlNGION, - e I. Il
W The Democratic majorities
of the Senate and House are
almost wholly responsible for
the crisis that has arisen be-
tween the Congress of the United
States and the executive power.
If Mr.. Roosevelt is able TO
60 to the American people. via
a radio broadcast, TO tell them
bluntly-and to serve notice
upon the Congress-that if the
legislative branch of the gov
ernment does not act as he tells
them to act. by specified date.
he will proceed TO set aside a
statute. IL is because the Demo-
cratic majorities controlling-'the
Congress have built up the presi-
dency TO the formidable position
II now occupies.
Mr.. Roosevelt was permitted
by Congress, in the transfer OF
the so destroyers TO Great Brit
ain, two years ago. 10 set aside
statute which expressly pro-
hibited him from doing that
very thing. II was statute he,
himself, had signed.
WHEN the President took
w that action, the country
was not at war. Moreover. at
the time of this transfer. in Sep
tember. 1910. the country was
not even operating under a full
national emergency" which
Mr.. Roosevelt did not proclaim
in radio address-until May
27. 1941.
However. the country was in
a state of Limited national
emergency" whatever that may
have meant, which the Presi-
dent proclaimed on Sept. 8. 1889.
Today the Presidents powers,
inherent in the Constitution. and
in his capacity as commander
in-chief. are enormous. and
many of them go back TO laws
enacted as long ago as 1912. as
shown by the compilation of
executive powers under national
emergency, submitted 10 the
Senate. at the request OF that
body, Oct. 4. 1889. by the then
Atty. Gen. Frank Murphy. since
elevated to the Supreme Court.
THE powers that a president
l. may use. in his capacity as
commander in = chief, are vir-
tually limited only by the bold
ness of the official exercising
them in the prosecution OF war
and the preservation Of the
Union 10 which he is sworn by
his oath OF office.
The war powers enumerated
bv Attorney General Murphy, In
1939--and the mere enumeration
Of them requires IL pages of
printed matter-have since been
augmented by Congress in the
social and economic spheres in
which the present controversy
now RACES.
In addition 10 comforting upon
the President very great powers.
the recent Democratic Con-
crosses have set UP numerous
boards and bureaus which have
exercised powers. and continue
10 exercise powers. over and
above those conferred.
Thus. the War Labor Board
has no power to regulate wages.
but has done so. and has gotten
away with il. So complete has
been the party's control over
Congress, that il has been i'm
possible 10 prevent the abuse
of power by the very creatures
of the Congress.
THE responsibility OF the
, Il Democratic majorities in
control OF both branches of the
Congress is clear. and that party
eventually must be judged on
its record at the. bar Of history.
How far the Democratic lead
ership at the Capitol has gone.
in surrender TO the Executive.
is clearly revealed in the state
ment made by Speaker Sam
Rayburn, after a long conference
with the President, on the issue
that is here discussed. He said:
T believe Congress should
pass a simple resolution TO give
the President authority and
direction to prevent initiation.
Notwithstanding all laws to the
contrary"
IF the American Congress Is
ready today to adopt such a
resolution. on the theory that
this surrender 10 the President
OF power TO sweep aside any
statute that he deems detri-
mental TO the winning OF the
war, is essential 10 victory, il
should have the courage OF its
convictions and state the case
more frankly.
IT SHOULD adopt a resolution
L of abdication. and surrender
the whole conduct of the gov
eminent to the President for the
duration.
Happily, there Is way IN
which the Congress can redeem
itself and save the Constitution.
II can meet the Presidents