Evening star., 1937-11-28
BY JOHN H. CLINE.

Putting the tribulations Of farm re-
lief and tax revision behind him for
the time being, President Roosevelt
turned southwark last night for brief
fishing trip while congressional lead
ers prepared to tackle the formidable
task OF pushing satisfactory farm
bill through the Senate this week.
The political scene was confused.
to say the least, as the President
and his vacation party boarded
Miami-bound train just before mid
night.
On the Senate side. Ma jority Lead
er Barkley, after conference with the
President, stated unequivocally that
there will be no tax revision during
the special session of Congress.
There's no use in misleading the
country" he stated LAS I have said
before, there will be no tax revision
during the special session 1t would
be impossible to get through a tax
bill In the three weeks remaining"
On the subject Of farm legislation,
however. the majority leader was more
optimistic. predicting the pending bill
could be passed in the Senate by the
end OF the week without material
change.
Veto Threatened.
But this raised additional compli.
cations In view OF the warning from
the White House yesterday that the
1arm bill may be vetoed II it calls
for the expenditure Of more than
$Soo,ooo,00o without provision by
Congress for additional revenue. The
implied threat Of . veto came from
Stephen Early. secretary to the Presi-
dent, after Mr.. Roosevelt had written
Senator Barkley that:
ut Is obvious that q constant in
crease Of expenditures without an
equally constant increase in revenue
can only result In a continuation Of
deficits. feel that every effort
should be made to keep the new farm
program within the present (appro-
priation) limit of $500000,00o per
annum."
IT this is found impossible, wrote
the President. Il then urge that steps
be taken to provide the necessary in
crease in revenue to meet any ex-
penditures under the new farm pro-
gram in excess Of this sum-"
Mr.. Early announced "in connection
with this letter" that ANY enlarged
measures" calling for appropriations
for which Congress does not make
special provision are very likely to
meet presidential disapproval"
Earlier in the day Mr.. Roosevelt
conferred with Chairman Doughton
Of the House Ways and Means Com
mittee. This committee must originate
any bills for modification Of existing
taxes-particularly those on capital
gains and undistributed profits-and
such measures as may be needed to
defray unusual expenses like a farm
bill outlay in excess Of the half billion
dollar figure
No Financing Plans.
Mr.. Doughton told reporters he saw
nothing for his committee to do about
financing the farm program until we
know what the law is going to be-" He
added that he had discussed the gen.
eral revenue situation with the Presi-
dent, including whether proposed taxa
ton relief for business should be made
retroactive. He said he did not be-
lieve such measures could be made
retroactive successfully
His statement was in the nature
Of a reply to Representative Celler.
Democrat, Of New York, who had
asked for immediate revision of the
undistributed profits and capital gains
tax, coupling with this a plea that the
changes be made retroactive for 1887.
The ultimate cost of the farm bill
was the big unanswered question as
Congress recessed for the week end.
Minority Leader McNary urged that
efforts to enact the bill be abandoned
ut this time, asserting soil conserva-
tion payments under the present law
would be adequate until the budget
has been balanced and conditions are
more stable. He estimated that at
least $750,000,000 would be needed to
carry out the bills parity price pro-
visions, and even more In event of a
bumper crop.
Chairman Jones Of the House Ag-
rtculture Committee expressed belief
the farm program would not cost in
excess Of $500. 900, 900 annually, "un-
less they want to appropriate more. {"
Representative Boieau, Progressive,
OF Wisconsin, discussing 4 minority
report OF the committee, said the
House farm bill utterly disregards the
welfare Of farmers who produce COM
mcdities other than cotton, wheat,
corn, tobacco or rice.
Senator Bankhead, Democrat, of
Alabama, who was chairman of the
subcommittee that drafted the cotton
provisions of the Senate bill, said he
(See FARM, Page A-6.)