The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-26
Democrats Launch Attack
on HOoSier'S Plan to
Crush Debenture Scheme.
WHY SUDDEN SHIFT
Joe Robinson Recalls How
Indianan Fought for
Equalization Fee.
BY PAUL r. MALLON
United Press STAFF CorreSponden.

w EAO411ANNI 1O4Ns n " II GOs--OCAA~
ator James E. Watson, new admins
tration leader, moved in the senate
today to crush the debenture plan
of farm relief opposed by President
Herbert Hoover and was promptly
questioned by Democrats on why he
had deserted the equalization fee
principle.
Watson offered an amendment to
the farm bill reported by the senate
agriculture committee, proposing to
eliminate completely the debenture
section written into the measure by
an 8 to vote in committee.
Senator Joseph Robinson of
Arkansas, Democratic leader, asked
if Watson intended to offer the
equalization fee plan which he
championed during previous con-
crosses before the plan was vetoed
the second time by President Cool
idge. Watson said he had no such
plans and would explain the sit
uation at the proper time.
What Caused Switch?
What has brought about this
change in the dreams of the sem
ator?" asked Robinson. when will
we take decisive action of farm
relief? I am in hopes this question
may be eliminated from politics al
though the senator from Indiana
seems to want to perpetuate it. He
has thrived on it and continues
to thrive with his zeStful propaganda
in campaigning"
When Chairman Charles McNary
of the agriculture committee, CO.
author of the old McNary Haugen
bill said he, too, would abandon the
equalization fee and vote against
the debenture plan, Robinson re-
called both Watson and McNary
made speeches in the senate, "as-
suring us that the equalization fee
was sound economically and polite
ally wise"
Now after the election, the SEN
ator from Indiana says some day,
some time, he will tell the senate
why he was wrong when he ap-
pealed to the senate to ignore and
override the then existing admins
tration," Robinson continued.
McNary Explains Stand
THE forceful eloquence Of the
senator in unconvincing speeches
which aroused suspicion then is un-
explainable now, although I know
he can explain any deficiency in his
own conduct at least to his own
satisfaction"
McNary said he did not propose to
support either the equalization fee
or the debenture plan because he
wanted bill passed and signed this
time which would be beneficial to
agriculture.
IF its proves to be weak and in
effective l will join the senator from
Arkansas in putting some effective
measure through" McNary added.
During the debate Senator George
Norris of Nebraska brought up his
amendment to authorize decreases
in the debenture plan if it should
result in owe production of more
than 20 per cent. Norris proposed
MS amendment 10 meet one OI CIlS
objections lodged against the plan
by the President.
House Passes Measure
The house today sent President
Herbert Hoover's farm program to
the senate labeled with an extra
ordinary 367 to 81 approval.
Seldom has an administration is
sue received such an overwhelming
Endorsement. Only thirty-tWo Of the
166 Democrats in the house opposed
it, and only two Republicans. More
than 100 Democrats voted for the
bill.
The house vote is being inter
preted by senate leaders as meaning
the house will not accept the deben-
ture amendment under any condi-
tions, and they believe it indicates
bipartisan sentiment is strongly IA
vorable to the $500 100000 co-opera-
tive marketing bill.
With the Democrats split, the
farm bloc divided, and administra-
ton forces drawing closer together,
it appears likely Hoover will have
an opportunity within the next two
or three weeks of signing farm