Evening star., 1939-08-08
House Republicans
May Draft Program
On ; Major Topics
Hope to Offer Aims as
Alternatives in 1910
Session Of Congress
(Tert OF Representative Rap-
burns address on Page B-S.J
By the Associated Press.

BY tne Associated Press.
House Republicans aimed TODAY Ia
have a definite program on at least
three major topics-housing, agri-
culture and reciprocal trade agree
ments-to present >at the 1910 ses-
sion OF Congress as alternatives to
administration measures.
Minority Leader Martin probably
Will appoint special committees in
the near future to study each of
the subjects and to draft legislation.
He declined to discuss the matter
before leaving for home, except to
say 1T was under consideration.
The housing question was among
those selected for study. it was un-
derstood, because most members re-
gard 1t as certain to be revived bv
the administration next year. Some
senators expressed the opinion.
however. that its companion bill
the lending measure which the
mouse kllled-would not be reof-
fered if business improves.
On 12-Point Program.
The reciprocal trade agreements
subject was on the Republican list
1t was said, because Representative
Martin included it in his 12-point
recovery program" announced last
April. At that time, he called for
creation OF special congressional
committee to investigate the effect
OF the trade program on industry
and agriculture.
Some Republicans were not Oh.
tlmistlc about the chances of any
party committee working out a solu-
tion to the farm problem. One
member commented:
ITS not much trouble to get a
plan, but getting one that will
work and on which the various
farm groups will agree is something
else again"
Representative Rayburn of Texas,
the Democratic floor leader, took is
sue in radio speech last night
| with statement by Mr.. Martin
| that the Republicans had accom-
plished IA points during the ses-
sion just ended. He spoke in the
National Labor Forum sponsored
by The Evening Star and broadcast
over a national hookup Of the Ma
tional Broadcasting Co.
Sees Only Especial Privilege"
The Republicans have offered no
substitute program" Mr.. Rayburn
said, except to advocate a return
to the old economic order of giving
special privileges to the favored few
at the expense of the underprivileged
many.
They have not sought to repeal
the permanent and monumental acts
by which the Roosevelt administra-
ton will be judged in time to come"
Representative Rayburn also as
serted that most of the things
claimed as Republican accomplish
ments were almost unanimously
supported by Democrats"
With only a handful of legislators
left in Washington. there were in
dications Government spending
again would be major issue in the
next Congress. Economy minded
members predicted they would be
able to effect substantial curtail-
ments in Federal appropriations.
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, Of
Montana, told reporters spending
had been necessary to care for the
needy, but added that we can't
continue to spend more money than
we take in and achieve prosperity.
We can't balance the budget, but
we can make start toward it."
Senators Wheeler, McCarran,
Democrat, of Nevada, and George,
Democrat, of Georgia, expressed the
view that business would pick up
before the first of the year, and
that this would make 1t easier to
reduce spending
Saying Congress already has
checked pump -priming expendi-
lures" and has 'regained its respon-
sibility for control of spending pol
icies," Senator George added that
there would be even more oppo-
sition" to the lending program If it
is proposed again at the next ses-
sion.