The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-28

Fish Are Out
individual Opportunity
In Congress
Voters Choice-Stefesmen
Or Polifieisns7
BY RAYMOND CI-APPER
WASHINGTON - Apathy - or
what seems to be apathy-con-
corning the congressional elections
next week Is in inverse ratio to
the real Importance Of these
elections.
They are not important in the
sense Of national issues. But they
are very important in the oppor-
tunity to send good men to wash
ington, men who have the mental
equipment and the outlook for
constructive leadership that the
war and its alternative offer.
Political parties never meant so
little as they do just now. The
war has obliterated the usual OPP
portunity for domestic issues. IN
addition, the Republicans, by their
miserable leadership and lack OF
understanding, have depriv w q
themselves of the opportunity to
make their party q really useful
weapon in aiding the war effort
Republicans can still be useful as
individuals. but you can't count
on the party for much until 1t
polishes off a lot of its moss and
fungus growth.
The superficial view Is that
the war deprives the minority
party Of its normal functions.
On the contrary war makes
an intelligent minority a most
useful instrument.
But one can't say that q large
increase in Republican member
ship in congress would be a good
thing. But there is a chance for
individual Republicans.
There is a chance to work with
some Democrats who are doing a
Job of constructive criticism Of
the war effort. Men like Ham
Fish have disqualified themselves
from this because of their opposi-
ton to so much that had to be
done during the days that were
drawing us toward war. Their
activity now would be regarded
as mischievious obstruction.
But work like that of the
Truman committee In the
senate and the Tolan COM
mittee in the house Is contrib
uting because II Is putting the
finger on the sour spots In
the conduct Of the war. That
IL normally q Job that the
minority party would do.
But the Republicans as party
group couldn't do it because they
would be discounted by the pub
lie as being up to nothing but
mischief. The job fell by default
TO New Deal Democrats like Tru-
man and Tolan.
In the new congress individual
republicans will have an oppor-
tunity. One of them, Rep. Dirk
sen of Illinois, is showing the way
in one line of activity. He sees
that congress is still clinging to
the horse and buggy. He is try
ing to improve, to modernize,
some of the procedures of con-
gress so that 1t can do the work
that these times call for.
Rep. Dirksen wants congress to
organize its own research staff
so that it can obtain and analyze
information about the government.
Nothing is more important now.
The successful committees have
had to do a good deal of that.
They must employ technical as
sistants TO do the real work. That
is not new at all. II has grown
up because it had to. Rep. Dirk
sen gets his tip from that and
suggests that congress really
make fun use of that technique.
His proposal for joint commit
tee on planning and reconstruct
ton is one of the most construc-
tive and farsighted propositions
to be offered from the minority
side.
Only by doing something like
that viii congress be equipped to
consider the questions that it must
soon begin to face. II it does not
equip itself to handle them, then
IT viii have TO leave the whole
business TO the executive branch.
Rep. Dirksen's other proposition
is for a joint house and senate
committee to handle all war legis-
lation, through combined hearings.
1t is a time-saving device that
would also increase the Importance
and prestige of the work Of con-
gress.
In the election, the voters can
help by sending men to Washing
ton who look as II they had the
capacity TO rise to these oppor-
tunities. This new congress viii
need statesmen. Voters usually
prefer a politician. But they ought
I 10 make a sacrifice this time and