BITTER SESSION

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20279, 23 August 1937, Page 7

BITTER SESSION

STORMY AND BARREN. THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. PRESIDENT NOT DISMAYED. nlted Pres Assn—E*ec. rel. Copyright. WASHINGTON, August 21. Congress has been adjourned sine die, thus ending the atmosphere of bitterness which has been characteristic of a session which can be summed up as one of the most stormy and barren of recent years. Even the weather, in which membet's sweltered in a temperature of 95 degrees, typified the trying condition which assisted to fray nerves and tempers. President Roosevelt Is not showing any dismay publicly though Congress approved of only one out of flve of the Administration’s major measures —namely, the Housing Bill. It defeated the Supreme Court measure, which tremendously heartened the rebel Democrats. This naturally was the most severe blow suffered by Mr Roosevelt, but the failure of his farm prgramme, Wages and Hours Bill, reorganisation plans for executive departments, and other social betterment legislation has not enhanced the President's reputation. Leader’s Bitterness. The leader of the Committee for Industrial Organisation, Mr John Lewis, is not disguising his bitterness owing to the failure of the Wages and Hours Bill. He has withdrawn the support of his organisation from Mr Roosevelt. The possibility of a session in October to complete the Government’s urgent legislation is being discussed, hut Mr Roosevelt is non-committal. However, the appointment of Mr H. L. Black to the Supreme Court Bench is increasing the assurance that the Court will approve future New Deal legislation. This is at least one victory for the President. Nevertheless, Mr Roosevelt's prestige has waned considerably and the possibility of a further revolt is by no means remote. Therefore any prediction as to the future of the New Deal would be foolhardy.