Evening star., 1938-02-08
FARM BILL DEBATE
LIMITED IN HOUSE
Many Members Protest
FWe-Hour Discussion
as Gag" Rule.
BACKGROUND

Ne,o farm legislation continuing
the present soil conservation pro-
gram. but also setting up elaborate
system OF control ouer surplus mar
6et1ng OF cotton, uledt. corn. to-
odcco and rice, must be enacted i'm
med'dtely. its proponents claim, if
crop control provisions are to be-
come efectiUe before the PLANTING
season begins
b the Associated Press
Administration leaders attempted
70 force the revised farm bill through
the House today under strict debate
limitations despite protests of some
members that a gag was being
applied.
The Rules Committee asked House
members to agree to vote on the bill
after five hours discussion. without
amending it or objecting to individual
provisions
Representative Martin. Republican,
OF Massachusetts, assistant minority
leader. said, If that isn't a gag rule
tllSAC uCNcI WAS one.
Representative Short. Republican, of
Missouri. charged that the administra-
ton was attempting to cram down
our throats a l2l-page bill which
members had not had time to ex-
anime" Representative Pace. Demo-
crat, OF Georgia said that he could not
figure out some parts of the compli-
Gated measure after 60 hours of study.
Some Democrats joined Republicans
and Progressives in declaring that the
measure differed materially from
either the Senate or House bills passed
in December. A joint committee was
appointed before Christmas to draw
up compromise. which it completed
Friday.
Chairman Jones, Democrat. of
Texas, said yesterday that the revised
measure conformed generally to the
original House bill. but many members
disagreed. Jones said immediate en-
actment was necessary if crop control
provisions were to become effective be-
fore the planting season begins.
McNary Amendment Opposed.
The greatest controversy was over
the McNary-B -Boileau amendment, de-
signed to prevent land taken from SOIL
depicting crops from being used to
feed dairy cattle.
The conference committee modified
the provision. leading a number of
members from dairy States to declare
their opposition to the entire bill They
said the modification would permit
the spread of dairying to new regions
and thus increase competition.
Representative Coffee, Democrat, of
Nebraska said corn farmers in his dis
trlcf would reject the crop-control
program because Of plain coercion" by
the Government.
The BILL" he added. bring days
nearer the time when there will be a
great rebellion by farmers against this
form OF Government regimentation.
The legislation continues the pres
ent soil conservation program, but also
sets up an elaborate system Of controls
over surplus marketing of cotton,
wheat, corn. tobacco and rice. Farm
ers must approve or reject these pro-
visions.
Modest Crop Insurance.
The revised bill provides for a mod
est beginning Of crop insurance and
Tor an additional 2-cent-a-pound sub.
sidy to cotton growers who already had
obtained a Scent loan on their 1897
cotton.
II the House approves the farm bill,
II probably will be taken up BY the
senate tomorrow. After its considera-
ton In that chamber, administration
ieade:'i expect to propose shelving of
the anti-lynching bill.
ihe Southern filibuster against that
measure was continuing today, al
though Senator Bilbo, Democrat. of
mississippi agreed to interrupt his
address so that Senator Guffey, Demo.
crat, of Pennsylvania could speak in
favor of the bill.