Evening star., 1939-12-23
First Congress Fight
With President Seen
In Defense Program
Message January 4
Expected to Ask EurIy
BoIstering Of Services
BY the Associated Press.


Informed congressional sources
predicted today that President
Roosevelt would have his first 1910
tussle with Congress over projected
expansion of the national defense
program.
Legislators in touch with the
White House said Mr.. Roosevelt
would emphasize defense strongly
in his state of the Nation" mes
sage, expected January 4, and would
ask early action on proposals to
bolster the Army and Navy.
The President has indicated that
defense estimates would exceed
this years appropriations, totaling
$l,80O,OOO.OOO, by approximately
s5O0.000,000. His annual message,
however, may suggest curtailment
OF some other governmental ex-
penditures to compensate in part
for the defense increase.
Even so, some opposition Senators,
asking that their names be with
held, forecast there would be a pro-
tracted fight over any big new
defense program. They argued a
considerable bloc of legislators be-
heves the United States is in no
immediate danger and that any
new equipment purchased might
become outmoded before this coun-
try would be called upon to defend
itself.
Hearings to Start Soon.
A House appropriations subcom-
mittee tentatively has set January 5
for the start Of hearings on the
naval appropriation bill. Other sub
committees already have done con-
siderable work on regular depart
mental appropriations measures and
these are expected to be fed into
the legislative machinery shortly
after Congress convenes.
Only a handful of Senators and
50-odd Representatives remained in
Washington for the Christmas holi-
day, but leaders still here outlined
the probable legislative situation as
follows:
With the quadrennial political
conventions in the of1ng, Mr..
Roosevelt and most members of
Congress are anxious to prevent in
lection of new and controversial
issues at the next session.
Congress should wind up its busi-
ness and adjourn by early June.
The administration will make a
vigorous fight for continuation of
its reciprocal trade program, sched-
uled to expire next June. Extension
of the program will be contested by
many Republicans and group Of
Western Democrats who contend it
is hurting farm and other interests
in their States. The congressional
battle over continuance tentatively
is scheduled to begin in early April.
Labor Act Showdown Probable.
Proposals to revamp the Wagner
Labor Act probably will come to a
showdown. Both the American Fed
Grafton of Labor and the Congress
Of Industrial Organizations have
suggested changes. The House in
vestigation of the Labor Relations
Board has given impetus to efforts of
some legislators to effect substan-
tial changes in the law.
The President will ask additional
taxes of the processing levy variety
for financing past and future farm
payments. The Chief Executive has
taken the view that Congress already
ows the Treasury about $500, 900 900
for past benefits which were not
included in the annual budget.
Exclusive of farm taxes, the ad-
ministration will offer no major rev.
enue measure.
Social legislation proposed by Sen
ator Wagner, Democrat, of Nee
York-a national health program
and a system under which the Gov
ernment would sell annuities to cit
izens-will be deferred until l94l,
but plan probably will be proposed
to give needy communities better
hospital facilities.
Congress probably will have to
consider an increase in the existing
$45, ,o00, 900 900 limitation on the ma
tional debt.