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Show National Topics Interpreted dt I Yjwib by William Bruckart rfM Washington. It is a scant two months until congress will be back here in the Na-What Na-What Will 1 1 o n a 1 Capital, Congress Do? ,and ,ea day the Inevitable question, ques-tion, "what will congress do?" is heard more and more. And when one considers the troubles of the day, it is difficult to avoid the conviction; con-viction; there seems to be ample reason for wondering what congress will do I In the minds of Washington observers, ob-servers, as far as I have been able to learn their views, little doubt remains re-mains that President Roosevelt will have a highly nervous and bull-headed bull-headed congress on his hands. It appears ap-pears certain the senators and representatives rep-resentatives are not going to be so tractable as they were from March to -June In the extraordinary session. ses-sion. It is equally certain that the members will come back from the hustings filled with a lot of new Ideas, champing at the bit, eager to do things, demanding that things be done this way or that. Indeed, I think it can be said that Mr. Roosevelt is going to have both hands full, and if he pulls the reins in successfully controlling congress, he will have demonstrated that he is not only a master politician but a super-politician. It is a test, be-, yond the shadow of a doubt, and a supreme test in every sense of the word. Just stop and think of the situation: situa-tion: there is as much uncertainty In business as there was this time last year; there are fresh threats from labor; continuing threats from numerous agricultural sections; sec-tions; saber rattling from abroad, cries about the burden of taxation yet dire need for more money for the federal government, pressing social and political problems following fol-lowing repeal of prohibition, demands de-mands for relief for the farmer, for the debtor, for the unemployed, and generally speaking, some - new crop of troubles every day. heard these days give rise to doubt whether normal rules will be followed. Flence, the question: "What will congress do?" The walls of the National Press club, that famous rendezvous of writers and those Liquor who like to asso- Question clate wIth tne fourth estate, in Washington, Is replete with cartoons and sketches. They are the work of the best of the profession who present the Ideas of news and conditions con-ditions visually. Among them is a cartoon depicting a beer keg personified. per-sonified. It carries the caption: "Don't make a fool of yourself I" The cartoon was drawn Just after three-point-two beer was legalized. But, while tbe cartoon was directed direct-ed to beer and beer drinkers, some of the officials of the present administration ad-ministration have taken the thought most seriously in Its application to the general liquor question. As a result, they are now engaged In studies by which they hope to make It Impossible for hard liquor to make a fool of Itself when It comes back for legal sale, probably in time for Christmas celebrations. Under Secretary Acheson, of the treasury, tells me that It is one of the most delicate problems with which he has to deal. It involves social questions of far-reaching consequences; con-sequences; it touches vital spots In the government financial situation because of the probable revenue from liquor taxes and besides these it still remains a political Issue despite the overwhelming sentiment senti-ment for repeal that has been shown. Mr. Acheson pointed out how all of these questions were Interlinked, and that fact has not made their solution easier. For Instance, he suggested that the committee ; of representatives from several departments depart-ments of the government were searching for a proper tax level. If It Is to be remembered, too, that every time congress convenes for a new session, Its members have come back to Washington filled to the brim with problems, pet or general, gen-eral, from a particular section or state. It Is thus quite natural that In .this particular circumstance, there ' will bo partisans supporting every one of the various questions I have set down. And don't forget, those senators and representatives will make themselves heard! They have never failed at this Job, heretofore, here-tofore, and there are no signs Indicating Indi-cating they will fall this time. What the result will be, no one can do more than guess. There are certain phases of Faith in the advance Roosevelt showing of the picture, however, which I hear discussed, and I am going to relate some of them in the hope that a better understanding understand-ing of forthcoming conditions may be had. In the first Instance, the records fail to show many Presidents who have had popular faith behind them to the extent of that accorded Mr. Roosevelt He has caught the public imagination and, although he has some bitter critics, and will have more, there seems to be no doubt that he has a rather solid base from which to begin his fight. Next, the country as a whole will listen to that which the President says. Individuals may disagree with him and may oppose him in his programs pro-grams and policies, but they will read what he has to say or listen to him on the radio. That is an advantage ad-vantage of great importance, since he has the audience. In the case of senators or representatives, except among a few of the real leaders, a limited group of followers will 'read what he says or listen to hi3 mouthlngs, but generally there is the tendency to read a headline and say : "It's Just Congressman Ump-ta-ump" and read the next column. In the next place, there is an election elec-tion facing all of the "members of the house of representatives and one-third of the senators, and every day that any one of them balks on Presidential plans, he is Just one day nearer the poll3. If need be, you know, the President can let It be known that the Individual congressman con-gressman or senator Is not wanted, want-ed, and the cantankerous gentleman gentle-man or lady member has something to worry about. - In few Instances can they win Individually; they must have party support. So, the President can hold that club, ready to swing. I am told that he has let It drop gently in several places already, but that is outside of this discussion and constitutes purely local lo-cal party differences. Betides these, few senators -or representatives have the courage to defy the President openly on the floor of their chamber if the- President Presi-dent be of their own party. That is the record. These things I have mentioned are things that happen in normal times, normal both politically and economically. But the discussions would make liquor cost more than most consumers would be willing to pay. The result most certainly would be return of a large number of bootleggers, from whom the government gov-ernment would get tax only when It caught them. If the rate were too low, the legalization of liquor would have netted nothing, for one thing to be said In its behalf is that It will produce revenue for a government sorely needing It If the federal tax rate be too high, also, there would be little of the possible tax left for assessment assess-ment by the states, and they need taxes as well. Further, a tax rate too high would naturally react against the sale of the raw materials mate-rials used in distilling liquor and force those prices down. Such a rate obviously would hurt the farmers farm-ers who grow so much of the raw materials. Besides the tax questions, there Is still another. Mr. Acheson suggested sug-gested that - to get the maximum revenue, the committee Is looking around to determine what the difference dif-ference In rates should be on wines and beer as distinguished from whlskys and the high-powered stuff. Under the new amendment, the repealer, it Is hoped by government leaders that there No End of can be a measure Problems ot contro1 excised ex-cised that will rid the country of saloons to some extent. There certainly is sentiment senti-ment for distribution only In packages. pack-ages. That, however, is up to the states, but the federal government nevertheless Is studying the question. ques-tion. Practical problems of the liquor trade likewise must be considered, and there are any numbers of legal questions that must be Ironed out As an example of the legal problems, prob-lems, I am told that while it is natural nat-ural to suppose repeal will take away the foundation of the Volstead Vol-stead enforcement act, there are nevertheless a good many provisions provi-sions of It which can stand by themselves. them-selves. Congress had-authority to enact them even though the main features of the enforcement code must fall when the Eighteenth ' amendment becomes just a matter of history. This condition obtains with respect to numerous other laws, Including the so-called Webb-Kenyon Webb-Kenyon act which for years has prohibited shipment of liquor Into states where prohibition is operative. opera-tive. It was predicated on powers of congress to regulate Interstate commerce as were several other pieces of legislation dealing with the liquor traffic. Tbe committee workjng under Mr. Acheson is going to the bottom of the question and ought to be ready to make a report to the President within the next few weeks. Mr. Roosevelt wants all of the data so that he can advise congress what he thinks ought to be done Just as soon as It convenes. Otherwise the federal government will be unable un-able to do anything about liquor control for a good long time. . 1933. Western Newopapcr Union. |