Evening star., 1936-01-22
NORRIS DECLARES
A,A,A. SUBSTITUTE
MEASURE INVALID
"HI'm Willing to Try It," Says
Senator as Plan Goes
Into Hopper.
BILL PROVIDES SUBSIDY
FOR SOIL CONSERVATION
Bankheads Move to Finance
Scheme Meets Opposition
in Committee.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Ne,o Deal farm, program OF crop
control, cash benefits to farmers
and taIes on professors Uds
knocked out OF operation by Su-
preme Court ruling OF unconstitu-
tiond,ity.
After conference Uith farm, lead
ers, administration reUealed plan
to attempt ne,o program under er-
jsting la,Us for soil conservation.
Immediate financial complicG-
tions contained in $500, 900. 900 in
eristing tarm-Federal contracts
and in 5000, 0,OOO, 900 impounded
tares ordered returned to process
sors.
BY the Associated Press.
The constitutionality of the admin
istration's two-year nearly half billion
dollar substitute for A. A. A. was
challenged today by Senator Norris.
Republican, of Nebraska, coincident
with its formal introduction in Con-
gress.
Senator Bankhead, Democrat, of
Alabama and Chairman Jones of the
House Agriculture Committee made
public the text of the new plan shortly
before it was dropped in the bill
hopper. Its terms were agreed on
yesterday at White House conference
of cabinet officers and legislators.
The New Deals substitute for A. A.
A. would broaden considerably the
powers conferred on the Secretary OF
Agriculture under the 1885 soil con-
servation act by authorizing him to
make payments to producers. out of a
$440, ,000, 900 appropriation proposed in
a seperate bill. for soil conservation
and economic use of their land.
"Willing to Try It,"
I'm my judgment" Norris, a con-
stitutional authority and member Of
the Agriculture Committee, COM
mented to newsmen, this bill is un-
constitutional under the Supreme
Courts A. A. A. decision.
I'm willing to pass it and try 1t.
I don't think it is unconstitutional
personally, but under the A. A. A. de-
cision it is unconstitutional. That is
the law now"
Bankhead previously had expressed
the belief the proposed act could not
be challenged because it carried no
taxes or provisions for written con-
tracts with farmers.
Plan for Funds Opposed.
After q meeting of the Senate Ap-
preparations Committee, Bankhead
proposed an amendment to the inde-
pendent ofices supply bill to appro-
pirate $44O. .000, 900 to carry out the
purposes of the new farm program,
but opposition developed in the appro-
priations group.
Chairman Glass said the appropria-
ton amendment clearly was not IN
order until the farm bill passed.
It was agreed unanimously to hold
up the independent Offices measure
until Congress had acted on the farm
plan.
Members Of the House Agriculture
Committee, after discussing the new
plan for two hours today and planning
to resume consideration tomorrow be-
hind closed doors, divided in their re-
action.
Wants One Year Limit.
Representative Hope OF Kansas
ranking Republican member, said:
"As a stop-gap it seems to be satis-
factory, but there are lot Of diff
ferent ideas / have relative to a per-
manent program. And I think this
should be limited to one year instead
of two. Something ought. to be done
right away, and this Is probably all
that can be done."
Representative Marshall, Republic
an. of Ohio, said 1.-THE question of con-
stitutionality is, in my opinion, still
involved in this measure"
Representative Botleau, Progressive
of Wisconsin, said: Il don't under
stand it well enough yet to express
m opinion"
Amends Conservation Act.
The new farm bill amends the sol
conservation act Of April ~, 1885, ane
adds to its anti-erosion policies:
Preservation and improvement o.
soil fertility.
Promotion of the economic use ol
land.
Diminution of exploitation and un.
profitable use of national soil resources
Provision for and maintenance Of
continuous and stable supply Of agri'
cultural commodities adequate to mee'
domestic and foreign consumer re-
quirements at prices fair to both pro
ducers and consumers.
Re-establishment and maintenance
Of farm purchasing power.
Payments Authorized to Farmers.
The Secretary Of Agriculture is au'
thorized to "make payments or gram
other aid" to agricultural producer
m.