POLITICAL CRISIS IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 128, 25 February 1944, Page 5

POLITICAL CRISIS IN AMERICA

Prominent Democrat Resigns SCENE IN SENATE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received February 24, 8.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 23. Following President Roosevelt’s veto of the Tax Bill a tense political situation has developed. Political party lines have vanished, says the “New York Tinies” Washington correspondent, as Congress members, stung by the barbs of the veto message in which Mr. Roosevelt said the Bill provided relief “not for the needy but the greedy,” retorted. with charges which give promise of reaching far into the coming election campaign. In an impassioned speech from the floor of the Senate, Senator Alban Barkley resigned his post as Democrat majority leader, and appealed to senators to override the veto. The President has telegraphed Senator Barkley urging him to withdraw his resignation, and at the same time disclaiming any intention of an attack on his integrity or that of other members. President Roosevelt was accused from the floor, in committee-room, and in corridor, of waging deliberate war 'upon the legislative branch of the Government with an action that did not make sense and with arguments which were more political than economic. The United Press says that Senator Barkley’s denunciation of President Roosevelt is a most sensational political development inasmuch as he has served the President with complete devotion since he was appointed leader of the Senate in 1937. . The American Associated Press says: “The capital is , stunned by the revolt. Its repercussions on the steadily-deteri-orating relations between the President and Congress cannot immediately be appraised.” Dramatic Scene in Senate.

In his dramatic address. Senator Barkley bitterly assailed Mr. Roosevelt s action. “The President has resorted to one of’ the most unjustifiable calculations possible in order to make the yield or the tax bills appear lower than it actuaally was,” he declared. Mr Barkley recalled that Mr Roosevelt s veto message referred to persons in public life who wanted even higher taxes than the President. “This obviously is a reference to Mr. Willkie,. who. darts across skies like a comet, illuminating the heavens with an array of figures nobody can understand. Perhaps this celestial nomad has frightened the President into asking for a higher figure, he commented.

Shouting angrily, he declared: This is the first time in my long service that I have been accused of voting for a Bill extending relief to the greedy and impoverishing the needy. Other members may do as they please. I don't propose to take an unjustifiable assault lying down. If Congress lias any self respect left it will override the veto and enact the Tax Bill into law.” Thunderous applause swept both sides of the chamber, and many senators, including Democrats, rushed over and shook 'Senator Barkley’s hand. Representative Doughton, chairman Of the Ways and Means Committee, later urged the House of Representatives, to override the Presidential veto, saying that Mr. Roosevelt sought to usurp.the Congress right to decide what shall go into the Revenue Bill. “He told us, in effect, to accept hi* dictation or abdicate our responsibility.' Mr. Doughton said. “There's where 1 part company with the President of the United States." Senator Barkley lias called a conference of the Democratic majority for tomorrow morning to select his successor, but many democratic senators have predicted that Senator Barkley would be given a vote of confidence and unanimously re-ejected. The House of Representatives majority leader,’ Mr. McCormack, also expressed the hope that Senator Barkley would be re-elected. However, Senator Barkley said he did not desire re-election. President’s Telegram.

In his telegram to Senator Barkley urging him not to resign the leadership, the President said: “I regret to learn from your speech in the Senate that you thought I attacked the integrity of yourself and other members of Congress., Such, you must know, was not my intention. You and I may differ, and have differed, on important measures, but that does not mean wo question each other’s good faith. In working together to achieve the common objectives we have always tried to accommodate our views so as not to offend the other whenever we could conscientiously do so. Neither can expect the other to go further.

“When, last Monday, I read to you portions of my tax message, and you indicated disagreement, I made certain changes as a result of our talk. You did not, however, try to alter your basic decision when you realized how strongly I felt, while I did not realize how very strongly you felt. Had I known I should not have tried to dissuade you from exercising your own judgme i in urging the overriding of the veto. “I sincerely hope you will not persist in your intention to resign as majority leader in the Senate. If you do, I hope your colleagues will not accept your resignation, but if they do, I sincerely hope they will immediately and unanimously re-elect you. “With many serious problems daily confronting us, it is inevitable at times you should differ with your colleagues and differ with me. I am sure your differing with your colleagues does no', lessen their confidence in you as leader. Certainly your differing with me does not affect my confidence in your leadership, nor does it in any degree lessen my respect and affection for you personally.” ’