Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-07
Farming and Defense
Seen Chief Issues
Of Next Congress
EorIy Action to Help
Drought Sections
Favored by Norris
BY ]. A. OTEARY.

The farm problem will vie with
national defense as the outstanding
issue in Congress during the COM
ing winter, judging by advance COM
ments of lawmakers on the prob
able scope Of the regular session.
Senator Norris, Independent, of
Nebraska placed agricultural relief
high on the list today by declaring
there should be deficiency ap-
preparation as soon as the January
session starts, particularly to aid
areas still suffering from drought.
At the same time Chairman Smith
OF the Senate Agriculture Commit
tee announced he will press for &C
ton on his bill to establish a chain
of profit agricultural banks in
the several States.
Minority Leader McNary Of Ore
gon also listed continuation of the
present farm program as one of
the major tasks that will confront
the session.
Strengthening of Defenses.
Strengthening of the Nations de-
lenses on both land and sea and
modification of some of the existing
legislation that hampers and re-
stricts business expansion" were
foreseen by Senator McNary as part
Of the sessions work.
The minority leader predicted
there will be a disposition to get
major legislation started promptly
and to expedite consideration of the
annual appropriation bills.
Vigorous controversy over the re-
ciprocal trade treaty law, expiring
next June. likewise is certainty
in the coming session.
With the administration expected
to ask extension of the law, House
Minority Leader Martin served
warning before leaving for his home
in Massachusetts, yesterday that he
would take an active part in oppos-
ing the program. He added that
he had been promised Democratic
assistance in fighting legislation for
perpetuation of what he called an
attempt to circumvent congressional
control over tariffs"
The fact that 1910 will be cleo
ton year, with the national con-
ventions to be held early in the
summer is expected to spur Con-
gress to dispose of its legislative
program by June.
In urging consideration of his
new farm loan bank system, Sena-
tor Smith said that what the farmer
needs is credit extended over from
two to five year periods with in
terest limited to the cost of the
financing.
II wish I had it in my power to
make every member of the Senate
live on farm and finance it for
two years." said the veteran South
Carolinian in discussing the diff
culties he said confront those who
produce the Nations food supply.
Limited to Rural Loans.
The banks he has in mind, he
said, would be limited to making
rural loans and should have a CAPT.
tai of between 81 ,5oo,0oO,oOO and
$4,000, 100000, to be used as a re-
VolVlng tuna.
Senator Smith also urged Con-
gress to take steps to open up the
markets of the world to American
crops, which, he added, would mean
modification or repeal of the Smoot-
Hawley tariff law.
Although stressing the needs of
agriculture. Senator Norris said he
had serious doubts whether existing
national defense plans should be ex-
banded at this time.
Senator Pepper, Democrat, of
Florida proposed a broader rural
identification program and the ma
tional health bill. which began to
take shape in committee at the
last session, as other subjects Con-
gress should consider when it re-
turns.