GROWING POPULARITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 92, 29 January 1934, Page 8

GROWING POPULARITY

MR ROOSEVELT’S POWER. ' STRONG HOLD ON COUNTRY. NEW YORK, January 2. After six months of “almost unlimited power,” President Roosevelt faces Congress and the indications are that he can have his way whenever he demands it. The President’s popularity has grown, not diminished- his hold on the country is stronger than ever before.

There were times; during the special session in June when the President was forced into a compromise to avoid legislative defeat. ,Some seasoned “oldtimers” are predicting that there will be lively times during the present session.

On the other hand, most observers believe that Mr Roosevelt possesses such a strong hold on the popular imagination that nobody will long dare to stand against him. During the next few weeks Congress will immerse itself in “log-rolling” activities', and the party leaders will work out details of legislation. Much will be heard of majority and minority leadership, but in the main it looks liko Roosevelt rulership all the way. Out of a total membership of 435 in the House of Representatives there are 117 Republicans whose leader Mr J 3. H. Snell, says: “We shall go along with the President in any recovery legislation where the proposition seems at all fair.”

The may be quarrels between party groups over the silver and taxation issues, but, for the most part, this session will probably “go along with Mr Roosevelt” in all that this implies. The No. 1 “man of the hour” next to President Roosevelt appears still to be General Hugh Johnson, chief administrator of the N.R.A. From time to time well-informed authorities have asserted, that “General Johnson is on his way. out” and that “he is being kicked upstairs.” But this new year he stil! rufes supreme. His “chisellers” and codes, his “crack-downs” and his Blue Eagles have achieved world-wide fame.

Altogether, General Johnson has used to the utmost all the almost unlimited powers with which Congress and President Roosevelt endowed, him. His sun may be setting and Mr Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury, may be closer to President Roosevelt than General oJhnson, but the chances are that the Tatter may continue to administer the N.R.A., if he is not the N.R.A. personified, for quite a time yet.