Evening star., 1928-02-11
PRESIDENT SEEKS
= FLOOD CURB PLAN
Executive Holds Conference
on Methods to Check
T Spring Waters.

Realizing that the food season is rap
idly approaching and 6eplorina the fact
that Congress has done nothing Of q
definite nature in the matter Of lesis4
ia.ior for food control. President Cool
soce is known 10 be making deter
mined effort 10 get some congressional
action.
The President has been advised that
the Senators and Representatives. from
States in the Mississippi food area are
voiclng opposition to the So-calsed ad-
r1inistration plan. which calls for the
affected States 10 pay 20 per cent OF the
total cost Of tho Improvement work 10
be done bv the Federal Government.
Also. he has been informed there is
IL be opposition 10 any legislation I'M
less the various tributaries IN the mead
waters Of the Mississippi are mciuoco
II the legislation for control
President Discusses Situation.
The food control subject was dis
c,sscd in n fun and general manner al
n small breakfast conference held al
the White House this morning. The
President had as his guests Senators
Robinson Of Arkansas. Harrison OF Mis-
s,ssirpi and RanSdcil Of Louisiana.
democrats, Mai. Gen Jadwin. chief OF
ercinecrS Of the Army. who personally
drew I'D the plan FOR future control OF
the waters Of the Mississippi; Secretary
O. Commerce Hoos er. who personally
directed relief work during the last
food Of the Mississippi basin, anc Sec
retary Of War Davis.
Senator Stephens Of MISSISSIPPI VINO
conferred with President Coolidge ali
hour or so after the breakfast confer
eDce. is understood to have told him
that The sentiment in the Senate a;
this time is such as 10 insure the pas
sage q. a fiood-control bill which vii!
provide for the total expense being
borne by the Federal Government.
II VAS learned afterward that during
the round table discussion OF flood leg
islation various features OF the JadWln
pian and other proposals for flood con-
trnl we're argued in an informal ard
orderly fashion. While the Presidents
ins!stence was recognized that the Con-
e-ess show some inclination 10 get busy
with this legislation. il is known no
agreement was entered into by those
about the table.
4 is understood that the three Demo-
cratic Senator's frankly admitted Tea-
sons for opposing the assessment fea-
fIres Of the Jadwin plan and presented
arguments supporting The claim OF their
respective States that the cost Of the
control works should be borne entirely
b. the Federal Government.
Coolidge Wants Action.
II is known also that the President
has communicated 10 Senator Curtis,
Republican leader Of the Senate. and
Senator Jones, chairman Of the COM
,rl- rf
food control legislation In the Senate.
his disappointment a; the length Of
time which has been devoted TO hear
ir-s on the subject of control.
The Presidents impatience is said to
have been prompted somewhat by ad-
vices 10 the effect that the commerce
committee has not even started the
drafting Of a food control bill. and
that The members Of the committee are
badly divided in the matter of what the
bill should include. Moreover. the
President has LEI il be known that he
ts opposed 10 including the headwater
tributaries in the general food control
legislation. and will suggest that the
benefited States shall bear their share
OF the expense.
The President conferred at some
length today" with Senator Sn1oot of
Utah. chairman OF the Senate finance
committee. The latter stated that
everything would be in readiness for
the Senate 70 take up the tax reduc-
tioa bill after March IS. He explained,
however. that the principal topic dis
c2ssed during his conference With the
President was the alien property bill.
which. be beIie"es. viii pass the Senate.
Opposes Long Session.
Aside from his anxiety for the dis
posai Of the food-control legislation.
because ot the food season being so
rear at hand. the President was rep
resented as being anxious 10 see this
important legislative matter out Of the
way so as to remove I'll obstacles 10
the possibility ot adjournment sor1e-
time early III May. II is understood
th.. the President has received as
sirances from Senator Curtis that the
Senate 9iU be in o position 10 dis
pose of It's important legislation In time
n ward Of any long, draxn-out Ses-
slo1 next Summer.