The Washington herald., 1921-08-07
Senate Out of Rut.


and selling surpiuses. marked turning point IN the
long drive OF the Senate for farm relief.
The Willis Campbell bill restricting beer and wine
prescriptions was Immediately taken up and the Senate
is now ION the hilp looking forward to beiated
summer vacation Senator Sterling. of South Dakota,
whose trip to the Interparliamentary Union Congress
in Stockholm was prevented by delay on the beer bill,
said Thursday he hoped for expeditions action the
measure. since debates had dragged along for two
weeks and practically been exhausted Senator'S Rob
inson of Arkansas. and Walsh. of Montana, sailed
"Wednesday night for the session in Sweden. making
three members including Senator France of Maryland
now abroad. Senator France>has been on tour of
investigation in Russia
The agricultural bill was passed Thursday without
roll call and without opposition. Among several
important amendments one authorizing the Finance
Corporation to grant loans to producers organizations
well banks, and another authorizing the corpor-
alton take up $Ioooooooo bonds of the Federal Farm
Loan system. Individual loans farmers as proposed
an one of the amendments. was opposed by Senators
Smoot. Lenroot. Simmons and others on the ground
that they would be multitudinous as to require
force Of s5oooo employees for Investigations and cler
cal work Senator La Toilette said such an amendment
would put the farmer of the bill altogether and
give benefits principally to parasites who would prey
the farmers"
HINAL action on the bill. after two weeks Of
debate. was expedited by the application of the
ten-minute rule for speakers after o'clock
Wednesday In substituting the Norris plan the meas
ure acsords with the administration policy of keeping
the government Of business since leaves to the
Finance Corporation the questions of relief Senator
Norris. author Of the original BILL became suddenly i'll
upon completion of his long speech which was marked
by numerous clashes when he charged administration
leaders with steam-roler tactics. His condition was
improving yesterday.
In the course Of speech on his resolution for
investigation of the Shipping Board policy toward
marine workers, Senator La Toilette, Of Wisconsin,
said American shipping is controlled by Great Britain
and that he would fight to the deadne against legs-
aon proposed BY President Harding for the relief Of
the railroads. He said he proposed to demonstrate
whether the administration and majority of the
Senate were working for public for special intesests
Powerful railroad magnates he declared are putting
profits above patriotism and have formed combina-
ton with British shipping interests to transport all
foreign merchandise they control on British ships.
Following the several appearances of John Shelton
Williams. former Comptroller before the Congressional
commission in criticism of the Federal Reserve Board
Gov Harding Of the board defended its administra-
ton hes-- .;.e commission, saying that although it
had sureson the nations credit system, it did
not have c'-ol Congress provided means for mobil-
izing the redit. he said, but no central bank was
established and he denied assertions that reserves
were not available in Western States.
,HE conference report on the packers control bill
was approved late in the week and similar
action in the House awaited its being sent to
the White House for the Presidents signature. It
gives the Secretary of Agriculture the power to estab
sh in his department machinery similar to that of the
! Federal Trade Commission for the regulation of
packing practices. The trade commission has charge
OF food. shelter. fuel and clothing problems -of the
public. but this new law scratches food off the list
and 4 the Freinghuysen coal bill. which was recently
recommitted, Is finally passed, fuel will go off, thus
curtailing the Federal Trade Commissions powers
so per cent. There is determined fight among
Senate Republicans to put the trade commission out
Of existence.