Evening star., 1937-12-06
REVOLT
FAILS To DISTURB
SPECIAL SESSION
Both Houses Avoid Mention
of Black or Neutrality
in Debate.
PROGRAM OF PRESIDENT
is BEING FOLLOWED
Survey Discloses Enough Votes to
Pass Senate Crop Measure,
Pope Declares.
By the Associated Press.

Although President Roosevelt will
discover on his return from Florida
tonight that his legislative program
has made little progress, congressional
chiefs will report to him that several
widely-rumored revolts have not ma
terialized.
When Congress assembled three
weeks ago, there was much speculation
over the possibility that it would side
track the Presidents recommendations
and substitute business aid program
of its own
Instead, the two Houses have devoted
themselves exclusively to administra
ton proposals, except for a week Of
debate in the Senate on the anti
lynching bill, which had a preferred
legislative status.
Many observers had commented that
MIR. Roosevelt, in calling the special
session, was inviting congressional
back-flres on his nomination of Su-
preme Court Justice Black and on his
foreign policies, particularly his failure
to invoke the neutrality act in the
Sino-Japanese conflict.
While there has been cloakroom dis
cuSsion of both subjects, neither has
been more than barely mentioned in
the debates. Congress has not shown
officially that it knew of Justice Blacks
statement he once belonged to the
Ku KluX Klan
The most serious threat to the Pres
ldent's program early in the session
was that campaign to force immedi-
ate corporate tax revision. Leaders
were ready to report to Mr.. Roosevelt
that although some Senators still
wanted to try for prompt action, most
legislators accepted the Administra-
tlon's decision to wait until the 1888
session
There has been plenty Of contro-
versy over the Presidents own rec
concentrations. The farm bill has
run up against strong Senate opposi-
ton, and may not be ready for the
Presidents signature before January.
Most other Roosevelt recommendations
will not be reached at the special ses-
sion.
A survey has disclosed enough votes
to pass the Senate crop-control BILL
Senator Pope, Democrat, of Idaho said,
despite the widespread criticism of
many of its provisions.
Secretary Wallace was reported dis
satisfied with both Senate and House
bills. One official close to him said
Mr.. Wallace might urge President
Roosevelt to veto any bill finally en-
acted which approximated either the
| Senate or House measures.
Faces Strong Opposition.
Although House leaders succeeded
In breaking the deadlock which had
| held the wage-hour bill in the Rules
Committee since summer, the meas
ure will face strong opposition during
House debate next week.
Representative Ramspeck, Democrat,
of Georgia, ranking majority mem
| ber of the House Labor Committee,
said some opponents hoped to kill
the bill by joining with Eastern mem
| bers who advocate much higher mini
mum wages than the legislation now
would provide.
In its present form. the bill would
empower a five-member Federal Board
| to fix minimum wages only as high
| as 40 cents an hour and work week
not shorter than 40 hours. Repre-
sentative Ramspeck quoted one mem
Der opposed to the bill as saying he
was considering an attempt to jack
the wage minimum up to 81 an hour.
Fellows like him want to make the
bill so drastic" Representative Rams
peck said, that those of us who are
willing to go along with a reasonable
bill would be compelled to vote against
it,"
Majority Leader Rayburr, Demo-
crat, OF Texas predicted there would
be 'less than LOG votes against his
bill" He said he expected at least
30 Of the 80 Republicans in the House
to support 1t. Another influential
member asserted that of about lis
| Southerners in the House, 70 would
vote for the bill.
Mr.. Roosevelt. besides surveying the
congressional situation, soon will COM
plete next years budget estimates
and will continue his studies Of the
| business situation. He plans to hold
| further conferences with utilities ex-
ecutives about possible reconcilia-
ton OF policies which might increase
construction by power companies.
1t was learned that j. P. Morgan,
the financier, was in Washington Fri
day-the day on which Lewis Doug
1oc form, i
business conditions with group CT
Senators. The reason for his visit
was not disclosed.
Says Politics Not Discussed.
Senator Van Nuys, Democrat, of
Indiana, who attended the Douglas
meeting, said politics was not dis
cussed. He quoted Mr.. Douglas as
saying repeal or modification Of cor
porate taxes would help business, but
wouldn't be enough"
Here Is the present status of Presi-
dent Rooseyelt's legislative program at
the start Of the special sessions fourth
week:
Farm-House may vote Wednesday;
Senate, where much criticism of CROP
control bill has been heard, has limited
debate to hasten vote.
Wage-hour-House will consider the
bill next Monday; majority of men,
bers have signed petition to free it
from the Rules Committee.
Housing-Senate and House COM
mittee are holding hearings on pro-
gram to stimulate home construction.
Regional planning-House commit