Evening star., 1934-01-01
PARTY CHIEFS SEEK
ROOSEVELT'S VIEWS
ON SILVER TONIGHT

Continued From First PageO
buying program "a very small bite at
the cherry" the Speaker saws there IS
a strong sentiment in favor OF broad
ening the metallic base OF our currency
in both Houses and something may be
done along that line"
There is" he adds. "a sentiment IN
favor of greatly broadening our silver
base. perhaps. however. not at the his
toric ratio
Republicans Silent.
The veteran Illinois Representative,
teImlng Chicago packing concerns "cul-
pritS" in a move to force down the hog
prices paid 10 farmers, asserts "a way
will be found to meet this situation, l
predict. even If the plants OF the pack
ers must be Communicated"
Republican leaders. for the most part,
are keeping silent concerning the ap-
preaching session. A few, however,
have trained their heaviest guns at the
Presidents monetary policy.
Senator McNary Of Oregon and Rep
resentatiye Smell Of New York, the
Senate and House minority leaders, say
their followers expect to go along with
the Presidents emergency program for
the most part, but will offer criticism
when it Is deemed necessary.
Prospects for the first few days of
the session are somewhat clouded. The
first task facing Congress is enactment
OF new liquor taxation law, but the
issue faces SO many controversies final
settlement may be somewhat delayed.
Neither house will do much this week
other than convene and await President
RooSevelt's recommendations in his
annual and budget messages. The first
probably will be sent to Capitol Hill
Thursday. the second Friday.
Then the House probably will take
up the liquor tax bill, framed by its
Ways and Means Committee. providing
for levy of 81 sgallon on distilled
spirits in place OF the present tax of
Sll0.
May Revive Old Bills.
The Senate probably will await
House action on this bill before getting
down to work. unless there should be
an unexpected move to consider some
OF the measures now on its calandar,
such as the st. Lawrence waterway
pact, or the measure to give President
Roosevelt power to declare arms embar-
goes in cooperation with other nations.
There is a distinct possibility the sill
yer bloc may seize the lull in the Senate
as the opportunity to press for their
free coinage bill, which Senator
Wheeler Democrat. Of Montana has
ready to introduce as soon as the rules
permit
Leaders of the silver movement claim
sufficient votes to put their bill through
Congress, provided President Roosevelt
does not come out in opposition. They
concede. however, that the Chief Execu-
tive will have the final say on this as
well as other issues OF the session.
The silver bloc approaches the con-
yening OF Congress with even greater
strength than it demonstrated in the
last session, when Senator Wheeler's 5
l6-to-1 measure was defeated by the
narrow margin Of 43 to 80 In the
Senate.
Already two Senators Who voted
against the bill have switched over. and
others are known to be on the fence.
Hope Hinges on Roosevelt
But even the most ardent leaders Of
the cause admit they cannot muster
enough votes to carry the legislation
over a veto II one should be forth
coming. Their only hope Is to win
, of their showing.
Although some fight is expected over
the liquor tax bill, leaders predict the
final decision will be close to the 81
recommendation of the House Ways and
Means Committee. The committee has
estimated this, along with new rates
In other beverages, will raise about
| $500.0O0,000.
Additional tax legislation is expected
later, although it's nature will depend
to some extent upon the expenditures
to carry on the recovery program. AL
ready the Ways and Means Committee
is working on a bill to tighten up
loopholes in the present income tax
and other provisions of the law.
Normal and extraordinary expendi-
lures of the Government will depend
largely upon the Presidents recommen-
dations in his budget message.
Congressional leaders said the ex-
pected recommendation for another
billion dollars or more to carry on the
public works program, in addition to
the regular budget. could be put
through both houses.