The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-20
Defeat OF Debenture Plan of
Aid Expected by
Proponents.
FARM BLOC BLOCKED
Statements of Cabinet
Members CheCkmate Foes
OF President.
BY PAUL II. MALLON
Z Jnited Press StaG correspondent


WASHINGTON, April 20.-PreSi-
dent Herbert Hoover held the upper
hand ooay in his first major con-
troversy with the senate over the
dCbenturc plan of farm relief.
Facing critical opinions about the
plan IRON three Hoover cabinet
members. the senate agriculture
, committee was meeting to incorpor-
ate it nevertheless in the admins
tration farm bill. which Is to be
taken up i'm the senate Monday.
But their hearts we're heavy and
they admitted Hoover's maneUver
probably would defeat the plan
when 1t is voted upon in the senate.
Farm Bloc in Hole
The adroitness with which the
President worked the farm bloc into
hole without expressing himself
personally on the plan drew private
compliments from the senate lead
erS. Presidents in the past have had
their troubles with congress and
much interest had been aroused i'll
7peCulation about how Hoover would
fare.
While the President maintained
silence. the bloc worked the tariff
bounty scheme into the cooperative
marketing bill.
They thought Hoover hardly
would come out against the plan
and figured they might get the
senate to pass it.
While Hoover did not break his
silence, three of his cabinet MEM
bers, with remarkable timeliness,
sent to the committee separate re-
ports containing arguments against
the plan.
These reports we're to be made
public by Chairman Charles L. Nc
Nary later in the day. Leaders
generally agree they are of sufficient
weight to eliminate the debenture
plan from the bill later.
Hoover Issues Reply
To solidify this victory, Hoover
late Friday issued a reply to aues-
tionS deplOring the division of farm
organizations about pending legis-
lation.
InaSmuch as there has been little
noticeable division among the Or
carnations, but much among SEN
ate farm bloc leaders, about the de-
benture plan, it was suspected Hoo
ver'S word could be applied with
more force to the senate division.
"One primary difficulty in the
whole of this last eight years has
been the conflict in point of view
in the ranks of the agricultural or
carnations and the farmers them
selves" said Hoover.
"A definite plan of principles for
farm relief was adopted by the Re-
publican convention at Kansas City.
1t was the plan of the party; it was
not then or now the plan on any
individual or group; it was neces-
Sarily the result of compromise.
Aid to Opponents
without entering into the merits
or demerits of any other suggestion
at the present time, can deplore
that divisions in the ranks of the
farmers themselves encourage those
who oppose all farm relief and can
at best bring only great delays and
danger of entire failure"
Representative Marion Jones
Dem.. Tex is to attempt a move
in behalf of the debenture of the
plan in the house Monday. Jones
announced he would introduce the
debenture amendment to the pend
inc administration bill.
Leaders said they we're in COM
pIete control of the situation and
thought Jones step would fail.
Chairman Gilbert N. Haugen Of
the house agriculture committee
predicted the administration bill
would be passed there next Tuesday
Or Wednesday Debate was to END
today and the bill will be taken up
Monday under a five-minute debate
limit.
The senate is in recess until
Monday.