Evening star., 1936-01-28
Senate Committee Advised
by Reed Legislation
Is Constitutional.
ATTACK ON DECISION
Renewed BY WALLACE
Declares Court Ruling Probably
Greatest Legalized Steal in
American History"
BACKGROUND

agriculture were issued inme-
diately upon inualidation OF A. A. A.
By Supreme Court. Within feU
days announcement ,Uas made OF
agreement on sepen-potnt program
of Federal subsidies through erist-
ing soil conservation laWs.
DiSsensiOn in Senate Committee
on Agriculture, centering mostly
about doubtful constitutionality of
proposed plan. has preuented prog
ress during past 10 days. Closed
sessions are now being held daily
by both House and Senate groups.
but predictions are made that no
bill based on pending suggestion
iDould recetpe congressional ap-
proual or withstand court tests il
it does.
BY the Associated Press.
Advised by Solicitor General STAN
ley Reed that the Administrations soil
conservation farm plan is constitu-
tional, the Senate Agriculture Com
mittee today decided to take definite
action on the bill tomorrow.
This decision was reached shortly
after the House Agriculture Commit
tee accepted revisions to the admin
istration bill designed to stress the
element of State cooperation.
Meanwhile, Secretary Wallace in a
radio address today renewed his attack
on The Supreme Courts decision re-
funding the $20O,0O0,00O which he
contended is probably the greatest
legalized steal in American history"
Termed Legalized Steal.
I'm the Hoosac mills case" Wallace
said, The Supreme Court disap-
proved the idea that the Government
could take money from one group for
the benefit of another. Yet in turn
ing over to the professors this $780,
O0O, 900 which came from all the peo-
pie. we are seeing the most fragrant
example OF appropriation for the bene-
fit of one small group. This is prob
ably the greatest legalized steal in
American history"
Chairman Smith, Democrat, OF
South Carolina of the Senate group
reported several members do not be-
lieve the present draft of the bill es-
capes the Supreme Court decision in
the A. A. A. case"
The bill calls for amendment Of the
soil conservation act giving Secretary
Wallace broad powers to subsidize
farms for productive acreage reduction.
The House Committee incorporated
a provision authorizing the use OF
local committees and the agricultural
extension service in carrying out the
program.
Debenture Plan Suggested.
Senator McNary Of Oregon. the
minority leader. suggested to the
committee today that bill offered by
Senator Connally, Democrat of Texas
providing for the issuance Of export
debentures be substituted for the ad-
ministration proposal No action was
taken on this proposal.
Smith said that "offhand it is my
judgment that a majority of the
committee will vote to report" the ad-
ministration bill.
Secretary Wallace was present at
the session. He said later that the
administration measure is absolutely
constitutional. He added:
Il think the majority of the COM
mittee is firmly convinced that it's
constitutional, but constitutionality
means one thing-passing the Su-
preme Court another"
M G. White, Agriculture Depart
ment solicitor, and Chester Davis
farm administrator, were present
Smith said the discussion was CEN
tered around the legal aspects of the
problem.
Personally" Smith said, IT do not
believe, aside from the statements OF
Mr.. Reed and Mr.. White, that any
material change in the attitude of the
committee has been made. The mat
ter is now dependent upon what the
different members may decide between
now and tomorrow"
Smith asserted that several mem.
bers had reported receipt of "hun.
dreds of kilograms" and letters press.
ing for swift action to create a re.
placement for the A. A. A.
Wallace Urges Justice.
Secretary Wallace in his speech
continued:
1.-THE problem now is to discover
the best way out of this situation
not in any vindictive spirit, but in the
spirit so clearly shown in the pre-
amble Of the Constitution-to 'estab.
lish justice Above everything, i,
seems to me that the essential spirit
of the Constitution is to promote the
general welfare"
Wallace referred to one letter from
q writer in Brookings, S. Dak., who
said:
SET dislike vo11r attitude fouard fhe