Evening star., 1936-01-25

ey the Associated Press.
Still doubtful of its constitutionality,
the Senate Agriculture Committee to-
day deferred final action on the ad-
ministration's subsidy-soil conserva-
ton farm plan until after Secretary
Wallace and legal aides present their
Judgment Monday.
The text of the new bill made pub
lie by Chairman Smith showed it re-
tanned the broad powers in the original
draft for the Secretary of Agriculture
to make grants to farmers for i'm
proving their soil and economically
using their land, with some changes
suggested by Chairman Jones of the
House Agriculture Committee.
Subsidies for Assistance.
Added to the declaration of policy
which extends the purposes of the
soil erosion act Of 1885, was that the
subsidies, after January l, 1928
would be for Assistance to and CO.
operation with the States in State
action calculated to effectuate such
purposes"
A new section regarding the per-
manent program OF State aid said:
Funds available after December
81, 1887, to carry out the purposes Of
Section 2 (policy aims) shall be ex-
pended IN any State only through
grants to such State for such pur-
poses pursuant to Federal laws to be
enacted. except for payments in con-
nection with farming operations car
ried out prior to January /. 1888, and
administrative expenses in connec-
tion Herewith"
Also added to the enlarged policy
declaration was statement that de-
pletion Of the soil and the improper
use Of soil resources endanger the as
surance Of an adequate supply Of farm
commodities "at fai- price" to pro-
ducers and consumers.
The aim should be, 1t said. to main
tain a continuous and stable supply
OF commodities adequate to meet do
mestic and foreign consumer require
ments "at q fair price" to both pro-
ducers and consumers.
Retained also were provisions au-
thorizing the Secretary to make pay
ments to farmers under the temporary
program for:
l. Their acreage and soil-improving
erosion-preventing crops.
2. Their acreage of crop land.
3. Changes in the use of their land.
4. A percentage Of their normal pro-
duction of any one or more agricul-
tural commodities designated by the
Secretary which equals that percent
age of the normal national production
of such commodities required for do
lnestic consumption.
I'm determining the amount of any
payment upon Q), (2). or (3)," the
bill says, ''the Secretary shall take
into consideration the productivity of
the acreage affected by the farming
practices adopted during the year with
respect to which such payment is
made"
The bill was introduced In Congress
earlier this week, but members of the
Senate Agriculture Committee found
fault with it on constitutional
grounds. Yesterday q subcommittee
agreed on re-draft prepared at the
Agriculture Department.
Hewes Close to Line.
Smith, who did not like some fea-
lures Of the original bill, said:
I'm my opinion, the present form
Is along the line that may be sus-
tanned constitutionally. There are
some things that hew close to the
line. But most Of the things would
be favorable"
Senator Bankhead, Democrat, Of
Alabama, who introduced the orig
lnal bill, said the changes were mostly
Of minor nature, but Smith said:
''Wait till you see the revision"
Louis B. Ward. an adviser Of Father
Charles e. Coughlin, discussed the
farm bill In conference last night
with about score Of members Of
Congress who tend to favor imitation.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, Of Okla
homa Indicated nothing definite came
Of the conference except for an sex
preston Of dissatisfaction" with the
bill.
Speedy Payments Seen.
Speedy payments Of farmers who
complied with crop-control contracts
eigued before the Supreme Court killed
A. A. A. appeared to be In prospect.
The House passed and sent to the
Senate yesterday . bill containing
92e6, 1885, 900 for the purpose. The
House refused to vote funds to enforce
the potato control act passed ct the
last session.
The Agriculture Committee Of the
Chsmber Of Commerce Of the United
States met with farm organization
leaders yesterday, but made no recom-
rnendaticns. The committee will re-
port to chamber directors next week.
Some Of those who attended the
meeting Of the Chamber Of Commerce
group and farm leaders said it was
apparent the various interests repre-
sented would be unable to agree on.
aA~ - vasa<ep~n -