Evening star., 1938-04-06

LQOOf unrest, european political
disorder and financial DIFFICULTIES
present Premier Leon Blum pith
three pronged dilemma. French
Socialist prime minister seeks to
hasten rearmdment in the face of
large deficit and increasing trou-
ble Uith support OF the franc.
He seeks po,Der to rule by decree
in order to re-establiSh nations
finances.
BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, April 6.-Premier Leon
Blum's demand for emergency powers
over Frances finances passed its first
crucial test today when the Chamber
of Deputies after bitter debate
voted approval of his finance bill by
the small majority Of 81.
Immediately afterward Socialist
members of the cabinet met with M.
Blum at the Matignon Palace, and
some ministers said resignation of the
government was discussed.
The meeting was called in view of
the begrudging approval the chamber
gave the bill II NJ Blum does not re-
sign he must take his program before
the Senate, where rejection Is consid-
cred almost certain.
Vote Is 3l1 to $50.
The Socialist premier had staked the
life of his cabinet on the vote. The
official count was 311 to $50. The ma
jority was the smallest on record for
a Peoples Front government in the
chamber.
Forty Radical-Socialist deputies,
nearly half the party's membership in
the lower House, deserted NJ Blum to
vote with the Rightist minority. The
Radical-Socialists are one OF the
three parties forming M. Blum's sup
port.
When dissension in his own ranks
became apparent M. Blum stalkeo
from the chamber without waiting for
public announcement of the vote
Previously he had announced his
intention of taking the bill to the
Senate despite almost certain defeat
there, but desertion of part OF his
chamber majority was believed by
some deputies to have led him to con-
slider immediate resignation.
Moves for New Cabinet.
Chamber deputies said President Le-
brun already was laying the ground
work for new government to sue
ceed M. Blum's Peoples Front cab
met
1t was reported in chamber circles
that the President conferred last
night with Defense Minister Edouard
Daladier, and there was belief the new
cabinet would be formed around
Daladier, with Paul Reynaud as
finance minister.
Lebrun's object in beginning talks
before M. Blum went to the Senate
with his bill was, deputies said, to make
certain new government could step
in quickly and avoid long crisis.
Strikes Continue.
Strikes continued throughout the
Paris region. where it was estimated
$4,000 workers in metal and allied
industries were out.
A halliday Paris taxi strike was
called for this morning. but the vast
majority of both independent and
company drivers ignored the call and
cabs were plentiful everywhere in
Paris.
About $500 metal workers in plants
about Paris walked out last night.
About 10000 of the workers have
been on strike several weeks, asking
collective contracts and wage adjust
ments
Bill Gives Decree Powers.
Premier Blum's bill would give the
government power until July to take
by decree any action deemed necessary
to provide funds for the expanding
national defense program, stabilize
the franc and protect the national
economy.
A tax on capital. two-year sus-
pension of payments on the national
debt, measure Of foreign exchange
control and revaluation of the Bank
OF Frances gold are some OF the
measures contemplated.
The bill. successfully termed MARKHAM,
Nazi and Rooseveltian by opposition
speakers, provoked one of the most
heated debates in the Chamber for
years.
Foes Nearly Come to Blows.
At one point the opposing factions
almost came to blows, the Premier
himself having to rush to the floor to
separate them.
All the Right parties voted against
the bill. The Premiers own Socialists,
the Communists and most of the
Radical-Socialists voted for it.
On the Bourse the franc declined
somewhat, opening at 1888 to the
dollar and closing at 1885, compared
with yesterdays official closing of
1928.