The people's voice., 1958-04-11

Politicians DiIemmu--Thou Art Mike

Many Democrats enthusiasm by the
or Senator To Republicans he of downright dismay
feel he expert carrying boil
shoulders the latter figure he unbeatable in the 1868
eral election.
Perhaps the root cause of dissatisfaction on both sides
also the why Mansfield has been successful
politician these many years past.
his political strength is his unfailng attention tc
the itte things Never did constituent write to him
cernng any problem large SMALL that he didn't promptly
answersigned by Mike Party politics has known
line in the attention he has given the field of
relations with the folks "back home"
On important farm legislation Mike has seldom if
been found at odds with the wishes of great majority of the
states 10000 farm families Their continuing support has been
major key to his repeated successes at the polls.
Mansfield has also been particularly conscious of the
strength of organized labor in Montana and memory
correctly in all the years he's been in Washington he's only
voted against labor major piece of legislation
Mike has, at times, also been strong advocate of multiple
purpose river development has supported legislation to bring
about greater federal expenditures in Montana has always
been ready lend attentive to the spokesmen of Mon
tana business, large and small
This then the plus side of the Junior Senator-and the
behind the Republican gloom.
Now for the why's behind the lack of enthusiasm held for
him by some Democrats and independent voters.
The among the "dssdents" is: Mansfield
fence straddler and many tme they feel his actions
governed eXpedency rather than devotion
set of principles.
Advocates of comprehensive multiple development
of river contend that because powerful interests
opposed certain phases of such Mans
field is to study and study and study such
They recall that Mansfield noceaby absent supporting
legislation introduced by Sen James E. Murray establish
Missouri Valley Authority They wondering how long he
will study the proposed Paradise Dam before
con Some of the cynical of the opinion that
he will this Sudy until November 1868
at the very earliest.
Labor people, although aware of Mansed's having voted
with them the years. would like for him to take forth
right position the socaled ghttowork initiative They
point out that his party state and national record be-
unequvocab opposed to such legislation They feel that
his silence this issue amounts to lettng them down. at
time when Montana faced with a-out
attack to destroy their living standards and their working
dions Labor votes they recall heavily in his favor
1862 that he the Senate seat by close spite
of
of the states Sc counties
Long of irritation with many has been Mansfieds
being all the lot in the field of foreign relations First he
held the opinion the Chinese Communists only
reformer Later he most vocal in support of giving
Chang KaiShek billions of American tax dollars Still later
began to have doubts whether Chang
good investment 1t is difficult to determine at given
moment what stand Mansfield will take any question with
international implications.
Mansfieds supporting the Harris bill to natural gas
from Federal Power Commission control and thus
the gate for estimated billion dollar jump in nat
ura charged probably shook the faith
of people than other vote he has cast in the last Is
This voe coupled with his being appointed Senate Ma
joy Whip by Major Leader Johnson of Texas about the
tme brought forth many angushed accusations
pediency" Mansfields part
In the field of Civil Rights legislation has not
himself champion of equal opportunity
all Americans, regardless of race, creed color
And recently March IA to be exact his
support of legislation by Senator Johnson retroactive
S124 million tax bonanza to insurance companies has also
aroused skepcsm of his constituents
makes him tick Particularly this Montana people
who had to recent column by Drew Pearson which
pointed that 10 major
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