The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-12
MAJORITY REDUCED
AS some DEMOCRATS
RAP ECONOMY plan
Five-vote Margin in Sharp Con.
trast With Majorities at
Last Session
REPUBLICANS STAND PAT
Vote Against Measure in Bloc
and Pick Up Some Sup
port From Foes
REPUBLICANS STAND PAT

Washington, Jan. 12.-tF-Safely
past It's first big test In the house by
the narrowest OF margins, the Roose-
welt program Friday faced It's
second big congressional hurdle-a
contest over ratification Of the st.
Lawrence waterway treaty.
Administration observers were in.
formed early Friday that more than
q score of Democratic senators might
desert President Roosevelt on his
Great Lakes-to-Atlantic proposition
but that q group Of independent Re-
pilblicans might be able to help make
up the necessary two-thirds vote to
put it over.
A demonstration that congress Is
rot as solidly behind the president on
all matters as it was at the special
session was given Thursday when the
usually compliant house gave only q
five-vote margin for Roosevelt's per-
sonally-requested 10-per-cent cut In
federal salaries for the next fiscal
year. The vote was 1877 to 1872. a
considerable contrast to the ballot for
the original economy bill last March
Of 266 to 1873.
Republicans Are Solid
The Republicans Thursday voted In
a block Of 1903 and we're joined by "a
Democrats and five Farmer-Laborites.
S:xty-nine Republicans who voted
originally for the economy measure
went back into their party's fold,
frightening Democratic leaders both
by their unity and ability to drive a
wedge partly into the majority ranks.
While other troubles stirred both In
the senate and house the chief excu-
tive signed the first major bill
Of the session - liquor tax meas
ure estimated to raise around $780,
100000 annually.
The measure reached the White
House at Z p. m, Thursday and was
Immediately sent to the treasury for
a quick check-over. It was signed at
1850 p. m, the speed being due to
the fact that experts estimated the
treasury has been losing $4,000 a
day because of the lower tax rates
under the old law.
Even this bill, however. caused
trouble before 1t left tho legislative
machine.
The Democratic majority got out OF
lire in the senate, resulting In the
approval. 40 to 80, Of the Clark
amendment designed to penalize war
debt paying defaulters. Only word
from the White House finally elm
mated the section Thursday. a to 80
Would Bar Bonds
What the senate may do to the
resolution by Senator johnson (Rep
CALI making 1t unlawful for anyone
to buy or sell in this country q bond
OF q country that had defaulted In its
payments, remains to be seen. It
vas passed without q record vote
Thursday with few members on the
floor.
Having disposed Of the controversial
economy section Of the $500, 900 000
independent offices supply bill, the
house Friday worked to pass 1t and
send It to the senate. Meanwhile
the ways and means committee be-
gan formulating its $270, 900 600 gen
eral revenue bill and the house agri-
culture committee planned to for
1nally report the Jones bill to guaran-
tee the principal Of $4,000. 000.0 IL
farm loan bonds.
The nomination Of william g. Bull
lit as the first ambassador to Soviet
Russia was ratified Thursday by the
senate without the expected airing
o. the recognition question.
The house vote on the economy
rule included:
North Dakota-Against. Sinclair