Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12
leaders Seeking Way
To Avoid Congress
Row Over Trade
Peace Much Desired
With Election Near, !.
But Friction Feared
By j. A. O'LEARY.

A desire to hold down intraparty
conflict on the eve of national
election campaign promises to be-
come an important factor in shap-
ing the legislative program for the
approaching session of Congress.
With such controversial issues as
extension of the reciprocal trade
agreement law and whether to in
crease taxes or raise the ceiling on
the public debt confronting them,
some Democratic strategists are I'M
derstood to be seriously considering
how to encourage harmony in dis
posing of these problems.
Any proposal to re-enact the
Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act
which expires in June, is bound to
divide Democratic ranks, in view of
the strong opposition to the law by
a group of Western members.
One prominent Democrat dropped
a hint yesterday that this impend-
ing fight might be avoided by let
ting the enabling act expire in June,
which would put the issue off at
least until 194l. In support of this
possibility, it was pointed out that
the agreements already made would
not automatically expire with the
law, since they are made for def
mite number of years and those now
in the making could be promulgated
before that time.
Hull Strong for Program,
There are strong indications,
however, that this way out of one
Of the major impending battles
would not be easily accomplished
Only few days ago Secretary of
State Hull, a firm believer in the
merits of the Enlargement pol
icy, reiterated his faith in the pro-
gram in a long letter to Senator
Capper. Republican, of Kansas.
In addition, Senator Adams,
Democrat. of Colorado, an out
spoken opponent of the trade agree
ments, also frowned yesterday on
the suggestion of merely postponing
the issue by inaction. In general,
he said, he deems it wiser to settle
such major questions than to put
them off. He believes Congress
should refuse to re-enact the law,
which would be the result if either
branch failed to pass the authorize
ton bill.
AS further argument against
postponement. it was pointed out
last night that even If the fight
could be put off in Congress, it
would still be an issue, In writing
the party platforms at the ensuing
conventions.
Senator Adams predicted renewal
Of the trade agreement law would
hurt the Democratic ticket in the
West in next years campaign.
Secretary Hull, on the other hand,
challenged in his recent letter the
claim of the opposition that the
trade agreements have injured
agriculture.
agriculture" he wrote, depend
ent as it is not only upon foreign
markets but also upon the general
prosperity of our Nation has prob
ably more to gai6 from such "a
program of trade liberalization than
any other major branch of the Ma
tons economic life"
Pact With Argentina Shaping.
With % trade agreements already
in effect, Government officials are in
the midst of negotiations for pact
with Argentina.
1t is too early to tell what course
the leaders will take on Govern
ment financing problems, but it is
more than likely they will try to
avoid any far-reaching tax revi-
sion.
The reunion that developed be-
tween most of the New Deal and
conservative Democrats during the
special neutrality session, particu-
larry in the Senate, has served to
encourage some of the leaders in
the desire for a continuation of
the armistice during the regular ses-
sion.
A wide variety of measures that
were left in committees at adjourn
ment last August undoubtedly will
be urged again by their sponsors
but there are already indications
that the approaching elections will
prove an incentive to limit the ses-
sion to essential problems.