The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-04
inadequate Relief Granted
in Areas Ravaged by
Long Drought.
HOOVER EMPLOYS VETO
Insurgents Are Defeated in
Greater Part of
Their Program.

end today.
1t met in December with conf
dent plans for preventing and re-
lieying distress caused by the
drought and unemployment, and
With a program Of reform legisla-
ton which the insurgents said must
be enacted If an extra session was
to be avoided.
ing with President Hoover, congress
adjourns with this relief provided:
A $45, 900, 900 seed loan approprja-
ton for the drought areas, loans to
be given only to those providing
! security, and none of the money to
be used for food.
A $20,000,000 loan appropriation
for rehabilitation in the drought
areas, with slightly more liberal
provisions, but still requiring re-
cipients to give security.
Food Not Mentioned
This measure could be interpreted
more easily to induce food loans, but
does not mention food. Complaints
already are being made that relief
is not being granted adequately I'M
der these measures.
The veterans bill permitting hold
ers Of adjusted service certificates
TO borrow so per cent of their face
value.
A $1l6,000,00 appropriation for
beginning work on public construc-
ton projects.
The insurgents have suffered al
most complete defeat at the hands
of the President on their program
1t called for enactment of the
Norris Muscle Shoals bill. The bill
was passed by congress, but vetoed
by the President.
Lame Duck" Bill Loses
1t called for passage Of the Nor
ris amendment to the constitution
to abolish lame duck" sessions Of
congress.
This would have been accepted by
both houses Of congress had it not
been for insistence on the part Of
Speaker Longworth that it carry
provision for automatic limitation
of the second session Of each con-
gress, as at present. 1t died in
conference committee.
The program called for enactment
of anti-injunction legislation, but
this was not considered by either
house.
1t called for enactment of the
Wagner unemployment bills. The
first of these was made effective by
a belated appropriation. The second,
Tor advance planning of public
works, became law. The fate of the
third, for system of federal en-
ployment agencies, was left to
President Hoover, after 1t had been
approved by both houses.
Working Week Cut
Little else beside these measures
has received attention at this SEES
sion of congress.
4 In the early months, the federal
farm board was given an additional
s15o,ooo,Ooo to carry on its opera
tionS.
Postal workers were given a A
hour working week, and later all
government employees in the District
OF Columbia were given a 39-hour
week.
The senate refused to consider
entrance into the world court. 1t
debated, without taking action, rail-
road consolidation and regulation Of
interstate bus transportation, and
branch and group banking.
1t confirmed a number of impor-
tant nominations, including those of
four OF the five federal power com
,niSsioners, and 1t launched court
action against the fifth, George Otis
Smith. who, 1t claims, holds Office
Illegally. Eugene Meyer was con-
trmed as member Of the federal re-
serve board, after long fight.
Wickersham Report Given
At this session congress has re-
ceived and discussed the Wicker
sham report. The senate has in
vestigated postal leases, and the
right of Senator James j. Davis
Of Pennsylvania to his seat.
1t uncovered the grocer boy
Norris" plot to defeat Senator
George w Norris in the last Ne
braSka primary campaign, and the
part Robert H. Lucas OF the Re-
publican national committee played
in that campaign.
1t is the first session of congress
since 1923 to adjourn without max
ing reduction in the current in
come tax rates. It's expenditures
, have exceeded those Of any previous
congress, and the federal treasury
faces deficit at the end of the
year.
President Hoover has vetoed five
measures passed at this session.
His most notable victory was kill
ing Muscle Shoals; his most notable |
defeat was on the veterans loan
bill.
Farm Board Created
This congress created the federal
farm board, and would have pro-
vided an equalization fee for dis
tressed farmers If Hoover had not |
disapproved.
It passed the census and reap
portionment bill, provided relief for |
flood sufferers in the southeast, /
increased the pension of Civil and |
Spanish war veterans, and 'liber-
allied laws relating to disabled vet
Grams of the World war.
1t passed a rivers and harbors
bill, and building programs at naval
shore stations and military posts.
1t ratified the London naval
treaty, and passed the Smoot-
Hawley tariff bill.