The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-17
JOINT COMMITTEES
 ID PREPARE FARM
 RELIEF LAW TODAY
Primary Consideration to Be Given to Import Duties on Wheat and Wool, Produc-
 CTS of Which Are Broke
By Associated Pres.


 Washington, December 16.-MeInbers of and means committee will meet in joint conference tomorrow to formulate an emergency programme of tariff legisla- tion to act as an embargo and to give relief to the farmers from the decline in prices
 reached late today by republican mem bcrs of tfis two committees who agreed that speedy action was necessary. They determined also to make the programme norpoiitral if the minority members would cooperate.
 Primary consideration will be given on the programme to import duties on wheat and wool, the producers of which, Chair man Fordney of the ways and means committee said were now practically broke" a-s the result of falling prices. Tho portion of the programme relating to the tariff was declared, however to be more comprehensive and to include considerations Of protective levies on scores of other commodities Possibility os the conference deciding to wipe out the free list of the Underwood tariff act was declared to be within range of action.
 Re-ena ct,nent of portions of the Ding ley tariff ahso was being talked of among the more ardent high tariff supporters. Mir. Fordney, however, said he was in favor of rushing through the emergency protection for wheat and wool and a few other commodities and letting other tariff matters go over for hearings and <l If<,f legislation of tariff nature with duties so high they would serve practically as an embargo may be too strong to be halted conservative supporters of the programme contended.
 FORCES SOLIDIFIED
 One of the forces in the House seek ing relief for the farmers solidified it. self today in compact body which. its leaders declared, would he continued as a congressional organization. Republican and democratic members from agricul- tural districts began consideration of a definite policy for dealing with pending relief legislation and report will bc prepared by a special committee for presentation to the full conference next Monday.
 While these two movements dealing with farmer and business relief legis- lation were in progress, the House bank ing ana CurTofCy cOf1unlttes sotcd Lo report favorabiy the Senate resolution directing revival of the war finance cor poration to assist in financing the ex- portation of agricultural and other products The House committee struck out the clause. declaring it the opinion of Congress that the federal reserve board take action to permit its member banks to grant liberal extenstofi os credits to farmers.
 The vote in the House committee was 7 to s. members from the south and west supporting the resolution, while chose from the east and New England opposing it. Chairman McFadden was one of those opposing the resolution
 Action of the committee followed an all-day session. at which Secretary Houston advised against revival of the war finance corporation on the ground that suci, a policy would be fscally un-- sound and Eugene Meyer, Jr., head of the corporation when it suspended ac- tivities last May. urged it's re-estabiish- ment.