Evening star., 1939-03-30
Wagner Act Change,
Tax Revision Off
BarkIey Must LIST
10 Desirable Objectives'
Will Keep Congress in
Session Until Late June

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headed by neutrality law revision,
Senate Majority Leader Barkley to-
day outlined q legislative program
which he said would keep Congress
in session until late in June.
Conspicuous by their absence from
Senator Barkley's list were amend
ments proposed by businessmen and
the A. F. l.. to the Labor Relations
Act, as we'll as suggested consolida-
ton of corporation taxes into one
general levy.
Senator 'Barkley, who conferred
yesterday with President Roosevelt
on the legislative program, EMU
merated three tax objectives-tem-
porary freezing" Of social security
pay roll taxes at present levels, con-
tinuance of so-called nuisance taxes
and approval of reciprocal State and
Federal salary levies. Taxes on in
come from future issues of Govern
ment securities also may bs con-
sidered.
Other Legislation Urged.
Besides these tax objectives and
neutrality, Senator Barkley said
Congress should enact:
Railroad relief legislation.
A cotton export subsidy plan as
suggested Tuesday by President
Roosevelt.
An emergency appropriation for
the w. p. A. as well as relief funds
for the next fiscal year.
Legislation to expand and con-
tinue housing activities.
The remaining portions of the ma
tional defense program.
The annual departmental appro-
priations bills.
The majority leader said he ex-
pected considerable time to be con-
sumed by hearings on neutrality,
railroad and labor legislation, but
said it was his conservative esti-
mate" that Congress could wind up
its work between June Is and July l.
Senator Barkley said he had op-
posed, as a member of the Foreign
Relations Committee. the commit
tees decision yesterday to hold pub
lie hearings. beginning next We'd
nesday. on half dozen proposals to
revise the Neutrality Act.
Il think that whatever is done,
the Senator said. ought to be done
with all possible speed to avoid not
only uncertainty here. but to avoid
uncertainty abroad as to what we
intend doing"
Observing that proposed Wagner
Act changes present controversial
issues, Senator Barkley said it was
his opinion some Of the differences
over operation of the act might pe
worked out by administrative
changes under the law as it stands.
Opponents have charged the Labor
Board with bias in administering
the act and have demanded that
employers be given an equal righ.
with employees to invoke the boards
services.
Asked about amendments pro-
posed to the wage -hour law With the
approval of Administrator Elmer
Andrews. Senator Barkley said ne
believed any move to change the act
might open the road for its oppo-
nents to offer unfriendly amend
ments.
Although the Democratic leader
was indefinite as to the form cotton
subsidy legislation might take, he
appeared committed to it after his
conference with the President. Pre-
viously, he had expressed objections
to export subsidy proposals.
Senator Barkley said he foresaw
no fundamental changes in the Crop
Control Act, commenting that it
might be possible to solve the prob
lem of low farm income by appro-
priations under the present law.
Asked whether this meant he IA
vored restoration of the $3.50, ,OOO,-
600 parity fund rejected by the
House. Senator Barkley said the
fate of this proposal would be de-
termined largely by the viewpoint
taken by the Senate Appropriations
Committee.
Reafnrmlng support OF the PreSi-
dents request for an additional
$50, ,000, 900 emergency w. P. A. ap-
preparation, which a House COM
mittee cut to $4,000 900. the Sen
ator said the question of changing
the relief system should be con-
sidered independently of this item
He said he expected action soon
on proposals to expand the F. H. A.
mortgage insurance authorization
from $4,000, ,000, 900 to 5000, 900 900
and to enlarge. the slum clearance
loan and grant authorization from
$500 ,000, 900 to $500, 900 900 under
the United States Housing Au-
thority.