Evening star., 1937-06-20


'rrt thi, meek approved Dill
requesting the Senate and Cham
Der OF Deputies for temporary "tuH
fscnl poTers' for Premier Leon
Blum Object OF the more mns to
enable him to rule by decree in
on attempt to avert a fiscal crisis
az the government anticipated
1897 deficit Of 10000, 900.
Ey the Associated Press.
PARIS. June l9-The Chamber of
Deputies tonight voted for the second
time to give Premier Leon Blum full
powers to rehabilitate French finances
by decree, throwing back to the Senate
q fight which some political quarters
thought might develop into life or
death issue for his government.
The upper house earlier by vote
ot 1913 to u rejected the bill e1nbody-
ing the emergency powers demanded
by the premier, the opposition charg-
ing they were dictatorial.
Premier Blum took up the challenge
end, returning with his original de-
mand to the Chamber, received a sec
ond aVoval of support in late night
session by a vote of 346 to 248
The Sen>.e had rejected the pre-
mlers proposals and instead passed a
substitute bill substantially trimming
the powers he contemplated assuming.
Resigna ton Attractive.
Blum, in the midst of predictions
this action would mean the end of
his government, said merely:
Resignation would be an attractive
idea to me- but what disappointment
1t would prove to the country"
With those words he went back to
the Chamber to get new start in the
battle and the Deputies rallied to his
support to enable him to take his de-
mand to the Senate tomorrow.
An intense, if not crucial, fight is
expected to take place then
1t was necessary for the Chamber to
feadopt the bill because the Senate,
BY its action, had killed it and passed
bill of its own making.
Cabinet Downfall Averted.
Just before the Chamber met for a
critical night session its Finance Com
n1ittee readopted the premiers bill by
rs votes to is with two abstentions
and cleared the way for the Deputies
action
Immediate downfall of the cabinet
because OF the Senate attack was
sverted by the premier's strategy in
refralning from stalking confidence in
the government on his bill. The de-
feat, therefore, Gid not compel his
resignation.
Government supporters, however
viewed the situation of the peoples
front cabinet with pessimism Many
predicted Premier Blum would be
beaten again tomorrow when his bill
returns to the Senate from the Cham
her and when, presumably, he will
pose the question Of confidence.
Others close to the premier, how
ever, said compromise might yet be
reached to save the cabinet
After rejecting the government bill
the Senate administered another set
back by passing its own substitute bv
vote Of 238 to So. This substitute
was sent to the Chamber.
Defeat Is Seen.
The Deputies gave the premier's bill
Its first passage Wednesday after an
ellnight session.
The Senate substitute measure would
specifically deny the cabinet power to
establish exchange control, change the
gold value Of the franc or in any way
interfere with free dealing in gold,
foreign exchange and securities.
The crucial test was expected to
come on an eventual demand for
vote of confidence in the Senate
Blum insists the cabinet must be
given the right to act by decree to
meet an expected 1887 deficit of ST.
$50, 100000, to protect the franc and
government credit. These sweeping
powers were asked until July 81.
From within Blums own peoples
front cabinet came predictions that
he will be beaten if he attempts to
shove the measure through the Senate.
He had to overcome opposition from
within his own ranks to get the bill
through the Chamber Wednesday
Observers recalled that agreement
finally was reached in similar dead
lock last October after conflicting bills
had been sent back and forth between
Senate and Chamber.