Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-06
Passage of McNary-Haugen
Measure Might Change
His 1928 Prospects.
EAST is EXPECTING VETO;
WEST WOULD RESENTIT
Majority in Both Houses Indicated
Now, But Test May Show
Different Outcome.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

~~NN~~~<~~
dynamite, the McNary- -Haugen farm
relief bill may be voted up or down
in both Senate and House this week.
The passage of the bill, IL it hap
pens, as now appears probable, Will
lay on the White House doorstep a
problem that may prove the most
embarrassing President Coolidge has
encountered since he became Chief
Executive. In that event the Presi-
dent will be called upon to approve
or to veto this measure which has
the backing of many of the big farm
organizations Of tho country and
which, on the other hand, has been
denounced in the East as price-fixins
and class legislation.
The course adopted by the Presi-
dent, if the bill reaches him, will carry
political implications that will figure,
perhaps decisively in the 1928 Repuh-
ican nomination fight.
Might Assure Nomination.
If he signs the bill, the President
will have eliminated the one and only
real threat to his renominaton-n
he desires to be renominated-as
things now stand. The President, IN
the opinion of some of the supporters
of the farm bill, will be "on top OF
the world" so far as the political
situation is concerned. Conversely II
he yetoes the bill, he will leave open
a, breach through which a Lowden or
Dawes attack may be made on any
1928 plans he may have.
From the point of view of opponents
of the McNary- -Haugen bill, with us
euualization fee, the President Will
weaken himself in the East If he signs.
the bin. But 1t is doubtful that ms
approyal OF the measure would lead
to any serious revolt against him IN
the Fast. whereas his veto of the Dill
might bring a real revolt In the farm
states OF the Middlewest and west.
Tntimates of the administration 90
not pretend to know what the Presl.
dent will do, with respect 70 approval
or disapproval OF the bill, u u 10 sent
to him by Congress. Some OF tneni
are hoping against hope that some
tbin- will happen to keep the bill on
Canitoi Hill and away from the White
House.
Chances in Two Houses.
Today it appears there is a majority
in favor of the farm bill In the houss
and a, slim but probable majority ior
It in the Senate. Legislative mors@
itv however, is high in the closing
.,-s.l,s ~ a short session of Congress
MANY things may happen to malt a
Hill in mid career. Here Is the leg1sls.
five situation of the bill as 1t appeared
last night. -
oonsi6eration of the farm bill mas
hean drafted. providing IL hours, de-
hate This rule will be presented as
aarIy as possible this week. Tomor-
row ia suspension day. Tuesday may
he taken up with the further con-
sIderation of the legislative olll'
wednesday is calendar Wednesday; y;
SO the farm bill may go over uilIA
THURSDAY. If it does that may posi-
pone q final vote in the House on'iA
the following week. -, A..
unfinished business, made so by an
overwhelming vote due to the coali-
tion of the McNary bill and McF ad-
den banking bill adherents. potn
groups seeking to force an early vote
On their pet measures. Several
sneeches on the bill are in prospect
FOR. tomorrow. Senator Curtis OF
kansas who has a substitute meas
ure to present; Senator FeSs OF
ohio and Senator Shipstead OF MIN
nesota Farmer Labor, are among
those who wish to be heard.
CIoture May Be Sought.
Another effort is likely to be made
by Senator McNary during the oay
to Obtain unanimous consent TO vote
~ designated hours on both the farm
hin and the banking bill. II such con-
sent is not given, thsn in all prob
ability petitions for cloture on both
these bills will be filed In the Senate.
These petitions have been signed by
62 Senators, almost two-thirds OF the
entire membership. 1t requires q
two-thirds vote to impose the Senate
cloture rule. Cloture seems sure II It
is sought.
Yesterday managers OF the farm
bill were engaged in conferences 10
iron out differences among supporters
and near supporters, SO as to bring
strength. In the Senate 1t Is prac-
tically agreed to accept the Harri-
son amendment providing for sys-
tenn of insurance against losses due
to price fluctuations. Senator Har-
rison Of Mississippi sets great store
by the insurance proposal, behev1ng
It will be a far better instrument to
aid the cotton farmers than the
equalization fee.
IL il is included in the bill. 1t Will
be an additional piece Of machinery
to aid the farmers besides the equal
ization fee. Some of the cotton States
Senators are seeking to have the i'm
position of the equalization fee on
cotton postponed for year or two.
But whether such an amendment will
be adopted remains to be seen. Sug-
cestions have been made that the inn
position of the fee on all the COM
modities mentioned in the bill be de-
ferred for a year or perhaps two
years.
Politicians Watch President.
To get back TO the political aspect
of the farm relief legislation, If Pres
ident Coolidge should sign the vex-
ing farm bill, his act viii be inter-
preted by politicians far and wide
as an announcement that he Is to be-
a candidate for reelection next year.
The President has never publicly de-
clared his opposition to the McNary-
Haugen bill by name, though he has
any legislation that would
put the Government In the business
of buying or selling or price fixing
There is a. great dispute on as to
whether the revised McNary bill is
price fixing or not. Its sponsors in-
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