Book Reviews : Congress: Corruption and Compromise. By H. H. WILSON. (New York: Rinehart and Company, Inc. 1951. Pp. x, 337. $3.50.)

• Published date: 01 September 1951
• Author: Hugh A. Bone
• Date: 01 September 1951
• DOI: 10.1177/106591295100400333
• Subject Matter: Articles

523
dramatizes the polarity of democratic versus communistic economics, but a
more consistent emphasis on this dilemma as it appears throughout each
unit of study would have been helpful.
On the whole, the authors have ventured boldly and successfully,
over the somewhat recently charted course of &dquo;great issues.&dquo;
TOTTON J. ANDERSON.
University of Southern California.
Congress: Corruption and Compromise. By H. H. WILSON. (New York:
Rinehart and Company, Inc. 1951. Pp. x, 337. $3.50.)
While congressional investigations continue to disclose unethical
practices in the administrative branch of the government, this provoca-
tive book turns the searchlight on the behavior of Congress. Singled out
for special case studies are two congressmen from an earlier generation
and several of more recent times-Representatives James Curley, John
Coffee, Eugene Cox, Andrew May and Senators Chandler and Bilbo. Most
of the studies illustrate the acceptance by the legislators of money or
gifts for the procurement of government contracts or favors. The Bilbo case
illustrates violation of election laws and intimidation of Negro voters.
Perhaps the sharpest criticism is directed toward the conduct of Cox in
his personal vendetta with the F.C.C. The author regards this as &dquo;the
most dangerous, the most degrading, and most revealing recent failure of
the House of Representatives. In making a mockery of the congressional
investigatory function, Cox was discrediting one of the most vital tools of
a modern legislative body. By boldly telling the House membership of his
intent to wreak personal vengeance, and then gaining its consent to pro-
ceed, Cox contributed enormously to the destruction of faith in the legis-
lative process&dquo; (p. 121). The case of J. Parnell Thomas and the salary
kickback practice is also mentioned, but without extensive treatment.
A sharp contrast is drawn between British and American practices,
with the notation that the individual sense of what is...