Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-25
G.O.P.FLOUNDERS
| OvERFARM RELIEF
Administration Apparently
Unable to Pass Any Bill
I. Before Adjournment.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The administration is literally be-
tween the devil and the deep blue
sea with respect to farm legislation
The situation is about as awkward as
could be imagined. For the truth is
one group In the Senate Is interested
III making a political issue over the
failure of the administration to pro-
vide relief for the farmer and another
group is trying to judge the various
proposals on their merits.
Between the two conflicting policies
the farmer is likely to get nothing
at all done in his behalf before
adjournment of Congress.
The extremists, who claim to be
friends of the farmer, and this in
Cludes some who are voting for the
McNarv-Haugen bill, are blocking
the progress Of affairs by insisting
on all or nothing. The administra
ton has countered with several sug
gestions through Senators who want
to see some kind of Il start made
toward handling the surplus prob
lem. But because the original Nc
Nary Haugen plan cannot be OBJ
tanned the group sponsoring the lat
ter plan joins with others to vote
down alternative proposals.
Two Parties Divided.
The two parties are divided. The
vote on the McNary-Haugen plan
showed that an almost equal number
of Republicans voted for and voted
against the bill. The Democrats had
more votes against than for the
measure. Some of them would be
disappointed to see any action taken.
as they realize the campaign value
of a do nothing" policy.
az
counted on the Southern Democrats
to help them. but even the Demo
Gratis could not work out party
policy. The whole trouble is that
neither the Republican nor the
Democratic leadership can handle the
rank and file on the matter of farm
legislation. The Senators themselves
are in doubt about the economic
principles involved and some go so
far as to say the bills proposed may
hurt the farmer more than help him.
The significant thing is that the
administration realizes the serious
ness of the situation in the West and
would really like to do something be-
fore the end of Congress to show good
faith with the farmer. If a proposal
which would go part way toward
handling the farm SURPRISES were to
he adopted, the President would sign
it. But the advocates Of the MCNaIy-
1Iaugen plan feel that any compro-
mise means surrender Of the vital
principle to which they are clinging.
Debate Not Ended.
With the sponsors of the measure it
is a sincere effort to secure the adop
lion of a new method of treating agri
culture, and the organization behind
the bill, outside of Washington. has
been intensively developed. SO no
matter what is done in the concluding
days of Congress to vote down the
proposals, they will be the subject of
extended debate and will be revived
the instant Congress reconvenes.
A study Of the vote shows that it
Is by no means difficult to persuade
many of those who voted against the
McNary Haugen plan to change over
II certain features of the measure can
he brought out of the realm of doubt
as TO constitutionality. The admins
tration feels, on the other hand, that
time works in favor OF the opposition
TO the bill, and that as the measure Is
analysed its defects will become
apparent.