Evening star., 1927-02-16
PRESIDENT ASKED
TO SIGN FARM BILL
Southern Senators See Cot
ton Growers Aided by Nc
Nary.Haugen Measure.

President Coolidge was appealed to
today by Southern Senators who voted
for and against the McNary Haugen
farm bill not to veto the measure but
to give 1t a chance to work.
In the aftermath discussion of the
measure, passed last Friday by the
Senate and which is now before the
House, Senator Caraway declared that
the cotton farmers already had profit
ed by the Senate action, as cotton
had advanced on the prospects of the
bill becoming law, but that it had de-
clined again when Secretary Mellon
issued a statement criticizing the bill
and indicating the President would
veto it.
Critical of Mellon.
why was the bill referred to the
Secretary o. the Secretary off the
Treasury" asked the Arkansas SEN
ator. II knew he was a specialist in
oil, liquor and aluminium. but he
wouldn't know a COW from a horse
if the COW was dehorned. I want to
protest against the slight to the Sec
retary of Agriculture. What time
he has not been in Chicago conduct
ing a school for spectators. he has
been reasonably servile to the admin
istration."
Senator Smith declared the bill
would dispose of the surplus, and
would mean millions to the farmers
of the South, and Senator George,
Democrat. Georgia. who voted against
the bill. declared he hoped the Presi-
dent would sign the measure. as he
believed it would dispel the belief that
it would aid the farmers.
Full credit for the passage of the
bill should not be given to the former
Governor of Illinois. but should go to
Vice President Dawes, because Of his
genius in steering this important
measure to its happy conclusion" the
Georgia Senator added.
Harrison Wants Law.
Joining in the discussion, Senator
Harrison, Democrat, Mississippi, an
other who voted against the bill. ex.
planned that although he voted against
the measure because 1t did not defer
the eQualiza ton fee on cotton for two
years, he hoped the President would
sign it. as it was a much better bill
than the original McNary-Haugen
proposal.
Senator Frazier. Republican, North
Dakota. voiced pleasure over the ex
pressions Of the opposing Senators.
Heartened by their victory in the
substitution of the Senate version of
the McNary Haugen bill for the House
measure, it's advocates today are
marking time and consolidating their
forces for the final vote on the legis-
lation.
A hiatus in the fight on the meas
ure, which Is nearing the end of
three-year consideration by Congress,
occurs today as the House devotes it.
self to the consideration of minor leg
islation on it's calendar.
Concrete Test Tomorrow.
Although the substitution motion
was carried by vote Of 201 to So yes
terday and constituted a parliament
ary maneuver to block f1libustering
efforts by the bills opponents to send
1t back to the Senate for conference,
the action was not regarded by the
legislation's supporters as an impor-
tant index to the measures chances.
Tomorrow a more concrete test Is ex-
pected when the bill will reappear on
the floor with amendments in order.
The announcement by Representa-
lihO ASWCif, I<OulSld ia, AT
the close of yesterdays session that
he will move for the substitution OF
his own farm measure for the Nc
Nary-Haugen bill Is considered
challenge, which will probably result
in real test of strength in the voting
on the motion. If his motion Is lost,
then another substitution-that of the
Curtis Crisp bill-will be attempted.
Vote Expected by Saturday.
Following consideration of amend.
ments to the bill, its supporters ex-
measure by Friday or Saturday, and
if the legislation is retained in the
form approved by the Senate so no
conference Is necessitated, 1t will be
Immediately sent to the White House.
The belief that President Coolidge
will veto the bill was voiced at yes
terday's session by several Represen-
tatives. Many members would vote
for the bill beoa use they think the
President will veto It," Representative
O'Connor, Democrat, Louisiana, de-
clared. while others are planning to
vote for 1t although they openly admit
1t Is unconstitutional"
An announcement by the National
Association of Cotton Manufacturers
that the governors of Ave New Eng
land States had urged the 2S Repre-
sentatives of their five States to vote
against the bill came as an eleventh
hour assault on the legislation. The
association Is sponsoring . drive
against tha measure