Evening star., 1935-05-29

CODyrlRnJ. 1900. Dy tf1c fASSOClbttu fTeSS,
PARIS, May 29-The Finance
Committee of the Chamber Of
Deputies turned against Premier
Pierre -Etienne Flandin today in
his demand for dictatorial finan-
cial powers over France and voted
against his bill, IS to Is.
downright. 1898. by the Associated Press)
PARIS. May 29-The position of
Premier Pierre Etiennc Flandins cab
met became increasingly precarious
today as it became virtually certain
the Chamber of Deputies Finance
Committee would oppose his demands
for dictatorial powers to defend the
franc
Voices were raised In violent dis
cussion when members of the COM
mittee conferred with the premier in
his office prior 10 tcday'S Parlia-
mentary session.
The conference was described as
emotional and sometimes dramatic" "
DevaIuation Feared.
Flandin asserted France might be
forced to devalue its currency un-
less he is granted the full powers he
demands. Members of the commit
tee said. however. majority was
still adamant in its opposition to grant,
ing dictatorial powers Ito this gov
ernment"
Flandin was reliably reported to
be determined To fight for dictatorial
powers to combat devaluation until
he wins or goes down to defeat with
his government.
The energetic premier handicapped
by a slowly healing fracture of his
arm, told close friend he would re-
fuse to be diverted from his pro-
gram by the hostility of the Cham
Der of Deputies.
Faces Chamber Tomorrow.
He said he would face the cnam-
ber tomorrow ii a personal appeal
for support of mis- project to defend
the franc. A vote against him, he
asserted, would be a vote for devalua-
ton.
Government supporters counted on
the premier's appeal to the nation
for assistance in defending the franc
against speculato:s to carry him
through to victory.
Some members OF Parliament as
serted however. that Flandin would
prefer to resign tonight rather than
to fight out the issue with the op-
position in the Finance Committee
and the dominant radical Socialist
group on the floor Of the Chamber
of Deputies.
The radical Socialists instructed
their representatives on the Finance
Committee TO ask the premier today
to divulge details of his plans for bal
ancing the budget and promoting eco
nomic recovery. The delegates were
told to call on Flandin at his home.
Assurances on Pay Asked.
The radical Socialists also sought to
obtain promise that the pay of Off
cial functionaries and the pensions Of
veterans would not be cut.
Prospects that they would obtain
such assurance appeared slight. Louis
Germain-Martin, the finance minister,
already has indicated that both vet
Grams and functionaries must share
the burden Of balancing the budget.
Flandin's friends said he was un-
likely to make concessions since the
strongest opposition emanates from
the left wing majority in the Finance
Committee, which opposes as matter
of principle the premiers demands
that he war against devaluation by
decree.
The specific measures which the
government contemplates have been
kept secret. Edouard Herriot, Radical
Socialist leader and member of the
cabinet, informed his followers that
only Germain-Martin was acquainted
with the projects. Herriot pleaded,
however, for support of the govern
ment.
Followers Oppose Plan.
Some Of his followers. however. were
so bitterly opposed to the finance die
tatorship plan that they urged the
former premier to resign from his post
as minister of state in the Flandin
government.
Thirty leading business men ap-
pealed to the government to prevent
devaluation, as the Bank Of France
began applying the new per cent dis
count rate to check the steady drain
on the gold reserve.
The increase in the discount rate
was the third in week, successfully
elevating it from 21a to 3 to to 6
per cent. The new figure was the
highest since the late Raymond Poin-
care employed similar measures to
save the franc" in 1925.