Evening star., 1934-01-08
NOMINATIONS WAIT
ON SENATE QUERIES
Of ADMINISTRATION
Reports Are Requested From
Treasury on Debts, and
Wallace on Taxes.
MORGENTHAU APPROVAL
EXPECTED LATER TODAY
Independent Offices Appropriation
Bill Is Expected to Be
Ready by Thursday,
Dy the Associated Press,

1y lne hSoOCldltu rItSS'
The Senate proceeded to ask the ad-
ministration more questions about its
policies today, before undertaking con-
sideration of the huge batch Of norni-
nations already accumulated. The
House, meanwhile, worked quietly on
miscellaneous, secondary business.
On motion of Senator Vandenberg,
Republican, of Michigan, and without
debate, the Senate sought report from
Secretary Wallace on operation of the
processing taxes by which acreage re-
duction plans of the Agricultural Ad-
justment Administration are being
financed.
Previously the Senators, at the be-
hest of Borah. Republican. of Idaho,
directed the Treasury to inform it on
the status of war debt payments.
Carey Resolution Adopted.
Confirmation of Henry Morgenthau,
jr, as Secretary of the Treasury was
expected later in the day. Without
waiting for action on that nomina-
ton, President Roosevelt in the early
afternoon forwarded a number of other
names-including w. M. w. Splawn OF
Texas-to the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
The Senate also adopted the Carey
resolution asking Wallace the reasons
for the sharp decline" in hog prices
between October 18 and November 3,
the latter part of November and during
December
Representative Byrns, the Democratic
leader. let it be known that he expects
the Presidents first major recommenda-
ton to deal with Federal guarantee OF
home loan and farm mortgage bonds.
Pending such important business, there
was a lackluster air in the House.
The independent Offices appropria-
ton bill is expected to be ready for con-
sideration on the floor about Thursday,
It will include extension of economy bill
provisions, among them one that would
cut the pay of Federal employees 10 in
stead of IS per cent after next July /.
Age Pension Study Urged.
"My opinion is that the House will
back the President on that" Byrns
said at a press conference.
He added that extension of the Re
construction Finance Corporation for
another year or two must be considered
before the end of the month.
Creation of an old-age security COM
mission to investigate the operation OF
old-age pension systems with view
to establishing a Federal system was
urged upon the House in a speech
there by Representative Ellenbogen,
Democrat of Pennsylvania. He intro
duced resolution to authorize Speaker
Rainey to appoint commission Ct
seven House members and to provide
$4,000 for expenses and an actuary
Efforts to both raise and lower the
rates in the House liquor tax bill were
made in the Senate Finance Commit
tee. but decisions we're deferred.
Chairman Harrison. after two-hour
executive session, announced the meet
ing was taken up with discussion by
Treasury and Alcohol Administration
experts. but he hoped to reach the vot-
ing stage and report the bill out TO-DAY.
Asks Tax Consideration.
The Treasury made no recommenda-
tions except to propose the 1-cent in
ternal revenue stamp to show the tax
was paid, he said This provision was
incorporated in the bill passed by the
House last Friday
Harrison asked the group to give
serious consideration to his proposal 10
increase the House distilled spirits rate
from 50 to $3.50. with provision made
for return of 20 per cent to states
Senator Walsh of Massachusetts ana
several other Democratic Senators said
they would urge reduction of the beer
levy from S5 to So.
Still other Senators said they would
urge a S150 liquor rate with the same
Edward G. Lowry of the Treasury
and Alcohol Administration headed the
Government experts who appeared be-
fore the committee at the morning ses-
sion.
Speculation that President Roosevelt
might send a special message to Con-
gress urging ratification of the ST.
Lawrence waterway pact were heard,
meanwhile, in Senate quarters, coupled
with a forecast that heated hight
surely would impend
Although there was no immedlate
word from the White House as to the
Presidents course, leaders on Capitol
Hill were confident the first OF a series
of special messages suggesting legS!a-
ton would reach them before the
week end.
Although original plans called for
the Senate to begin debate on the st.
Lawrence seaway treaty this week, one
Republican Senator said he doubted
whether the question would be brought
I'D unless the President sends mes
sage. Opponents of ratification claim
they have more than sufficient votes
to defeat it.
The House Ways and Means Com
mittee will resume hearings tomorrow
on the S27o,O0o, 900 general revenue bill.
Both Senate and House Republicans
continued their criticism of the deficit
created in the first year Of Mr.. RooSe-
velts administration, as well as the
budget he submitted for the coming
fiscal year
Fish Charges Insincerity.
REPRESENTATIVE Hamilton Fish. Re
publican. of New York, yesterday
charged the administration with almost
fraudulent" insincerity in dealing with
the veterans and said while billions
are being lavisl1ly used to unbalance
the budget to help farm and industrial
recovery, the disabled veterans are
being treated in a shameful and inhu-
man manner"
Speaker Rainey said, however, the
ordinary budget was almost balanced
and the large expenditures were due
to recovery measures.
"A large portion of these extraordi-
nary expenditures will be returned to
the Treasury in various ways" he said.
Much Of the money loaned will be re-
paid, while improved business condi-
tions will bring in money through the
income tax"
Plans to watch things" being done
by the big Democratic majority have
been made by Republicans, Repre-
sentative Smell of New York, the mi
nority leader. said he believed that
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