Evening star., 1936-01-07

ways to reimburse farmers who have
fulfilled existing contrasts-up to yes
terday.
s2S3,25o,oOO Due.
The total due is $283,25o, 900. What
legal means would be sought to pay
the farmers was not indicated.
A tangled question over processing
taxes presented itself. These taxes
are levied on manufacturers and others
to finance payments intended to in
duce farmers to control production.
More than 81 .o00. .oo0. 900 has been col
lected but $150,00o, 900 more has been
impounded by courts, in which foes OF
A. A. A. brought suits against collec-
ton. Whether the professors who
have paid the $1,000, ,000, 900 can sue
to get it back remained uncertain. 1t
appeared likely that the $3.50, 100000
in1pounded would be returned TO pro-
ceSSorS.
Congress, which had hoped to ad-
journ in three or four months, saw
much longer session stretching before
it, some said until Christmas" The
Presidents budget. submitted yester-
day, became in part waste paper. He
had relied heavily on processing taxes.
Congress Fears Tax Vote.
Legislators, always averse to voting
new taxes in a campaign year, feared
new levies might be asked to make
good on existing crop contracts.
Stock and commodity markets re-
acted irregularly after yesterdays de-
cision. Some farm organization lead
ers hit the decision, calling for
constitutional amendment. Others
praised it.
Most political leaders were too busy
studying the tremendous sweep OF the
decision to predict its effect on the
coming presidential campaign, but 1t
was agreed that it would be important.
The debate over constitutional issues
may rise to a new pitch of intensity
it was felt.
The Supreme Court. in its decision,
took occasion to answer some critics.
There should be no misunderstand-
ing as to the function OF this court"
it said. ut is sometimes said that
the court assumes power to overrule
or control the action of the peoples
representatives. This is miscon-
ception.
Constitution Supreme Law"
"The Constitution is the supreme
law of the land ordained and estab-
lished by the people. All legislation
must conform to the principles it lays
down"
Senator Byrnes, commenting on the
decision, said the minority opinion
point out the straitjacket in which
the Congress is placed in any effort
to promote the general welfare under
the Constitution"
Il wish every thoughtful person
could read the minority decision of
Justices Stone, Cardozo and Brandeis
and their statement of what they call
the absurd consequences of the rea-
soning Of the majority" Byrnes said.
The minority point out that the
reasoning would prevent appropria-
tions for vocational education, for re-
lief if you required beneficiaries to
work for it. appropriations to prevent
spread Of disease, to suppress the boil
weeyil, and they might have added it
would make impossible appropriations
for roads, as such appropriations have
been made in the past"
Other Comment.
Other congressional comment on
the adverse ruling included:
Senator Robinson, the majority
leader: Declaring sound the minority
opinion of the court that the power
Ito tax and spend includes the power
to relieve Nationwide economic mall
adjustments by conditional grants Of
money" he said it was regrettable the
majority seems to take the contrary
view.
"A careful study of the opinion will
be made" Robinson added. 1T is not
practicable now to anticipate what
action will be taken by Congress"
Senator Hastings, Republican, Of
Delaware: TT is a whole decision. !
am sorry it was not unanimous"
Chairman Doughton, Democrat. OF
North Carolina. of the House Ways
and Means Committee: I'm hoping
some constitutional method can be