Evening star., 1938-01-09
By J, A, O'LEARY.

BY J. A. OLEARY.
Lines were drawn more tightly last
night in the Senate fight over the
anti-lynching bill when the opposi-
ton began to talk of blocking other
major legislation.
Near the close of a sve-hour Sat-
urday session, Senator Smith, Demo-
crat, of South Carolina served notice
that he thought opponents of the
anti-lynching measure would be JUS
tilted in holding out against the bill
even if no other business is transacted.
Two major administration bills
the housing and farm programs-are
near final agreement in confer
ence, and a showdown on whether
these and other important pieces of
legislation will be tied up by the fight
against the anti-lynching bill may
come before the end of this week.
The administration also faces
struggle in the House tomorrow when
the Ludlow resolution providing for a
national referendum before declara-
ton of war is scheduled to come out.
Both President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary of State Hull have spoken against
the resolution. which was taken away
from the Judiciary Committee through
a petition sigsed by 2l8 House men,
| bers
Barley Refuses Comment.
As the Senate recessed yesterday
afternoon, Majority Leader Barkley
declined to comment on Senator
Smiths strong intimation Of block
ade against other business. Neither
would the Democratic floor general
make definite announcement of
night sessions, adding he might have
something to say on that subject to-
morrow. There have been indications,
however. the leaders would begin We'd
nesdav keeping the Senate in session
at night.
Supporters of the anti-lynching bill
are confident Of a decisive majority
for its passage if it can be brought
to vote. Closing his speech against
the bill yesterday, Senator Smith de-
clared:
Il think it is the duty of those of
us who view this matter as We have
| outlined it, to forfeit all chance of
legislation. I think We are justified
in holding out against the enactment
| OF the pending measure if no other
bill shall be passed at all during this
session."
justification for Action.
Arguing that the bill would humili-
ate one section Of the country, the
South Carolinian declared, I'VE are
warranted in blocking every form of
| legislation until the bill is abandoned.
The question that will confront Sen
ate leaders within a few days will
be whether to try to break in tenn
porarily on the anti-lynching bill to
get through the conference report on
the administrations housing BILL or
stick to the anti-lynching bill and try
to wait out the opposition. Even with
| night sessions the latter course Of
action might take some time.
| Status of Conference Reports.
Conference reports have preferred
status and, under ordinary conditions,
are called up and approved by only
temporarily interrupting the pending
business. But if the anti-lynching
bill opponents follow the strategy indi-
Gated by yesterdays debate, it will not
| be that simple a matter to get the
housing report through.
Meanwhile, the farm conferees are
still ironing out House and Senate
differences, with indications the con-
| ference report will be ready in an
other week. Even without the COM
| plications Of the anti-lynching fight,
| the farm conference report is ex-
pected to lead to considerable debate
| before it Is acted on.
1t appeared last night, therefore,
that January may be nearly over be-
fore the only two major administra-
| ton bills that were started in the
| special November session become law,
unless the anti-lynching bill situation
should take sudden turn one way or
| the other.
RecOnvene Tomorrow.
The housing conferees reconvene
| tomorrow morning, with indications
| that only two important questions re-
main to be settled Both are Senate
amendments, one requiring payment
of prevailing wage scales on housing
projects if they are to obtain Federal
| Housing Administration mortgage In
surance. The other Is the amendment
to make sure farm properties will re-
ceive the benefits Of GovernneHt
mortgage insurance. " To-
While there is strong support in the
Senate for the general principle OF
protecting prevailing wage scales there
is understood to be fear among
some supporters Of the .housing bill
that retention of the rule in this
legislation may retard the new build
ing boom which the measure seeks to
encourage.