Evening star., 1940-01-05
House Plans 10 Speed
Trade Treaty Act
And Tax Program
Doughton Outlines
Intentions After
Seeing President

Speedy House consideration Of the
Reciprocal Trade Treaty Act and
of possible new tax needs was pre-
dicted by Chairman Doughton of
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee after comforting for almost
an hour at the White House today
with President Roosevelt
The veteran North Carolinian
said that he would call his commit
tee into session early next week
with the Trade Treaty Act being
the first order of business and taxes
next on the schedule.
Favors Harrison Proposal.
Questioned by reporters, Mr..
Doughton Endorsed the proposal of
Chairman Harrison of the Senate
Finance Committee that a joint
Senate House group should review
all appropriation and revenue pro-
posals together as means of main-
tanning a proper relationship be-
tween them. Senator Harrison had
suggested that legislative action on
yesterdays budget proposals might
profitably be deferred for as much
as 60 days pending such study.
Il have always thought that there
should be close cooperation in
shaping appropriation and tax legis-
lation.' Mr. Doughton said, "and
some such joint study might avoid
lot of long -drawn-o out controversy.
1t shouldn't take too long. I be-
lieve so days would be more than
ample.
This problem is largely one of
give and take and a lot of the
groundwork already had been laid
for legislative action.
Il think we should agree among
ourselves on how much is needed
in taxes and appropriations and
then submit our opinions to the rest
of the Congress.
Silent on Defense Tax.
The House Committee Chairman
said he did not want to comment
on the specific proposal of a spe-
cial defense tax made yesterday by
President Roosevelt m his budget
message until he has had oppor-
tunity to discuss the matter with
his full committee.
The Trade Treaty Act expires
June II and is expected to be the
subject of one of the most bitter
controversies in the present session
Of Congress. In his opening mes
sage, President Roosevelt COM
mended the reciprocal trade pro-
gram and made clear administra-
ton wishes that it be extended
Many Democrats and most of the
Republicans in Congress, however
nave made equally clear their in
tention to fight perpetuation of the
program.
Chairman Harrison advanced the
novel suggestion for a 24-membe1
Senate-House committee to study
budget and tax needs for so DAYS
while Congress concerns itself with
other measures.
House Democratic leaders gave
the idea as cold a reception as they
did when Secretary Morgenthau
offered it last session. They OBJ.
jected particularly to the propose
that no appropriation bills be
passed until the Special Joint Com
mittee reported.
14-Week Schedule.
The House Appropriations Com
mittee has worked out a 14-week
schedule providing for consider
alton on the floor of one measure
a week. To abandon this would
leave the House with nothing tc
do, its chiefs said.
Representative Taber of New
York. senior Republican on the
committee. said he would welcome
any study that would tend to show
what the situation is." but added
I'm sure we could get along with
considerably less than the 1924
900 900 the President estimated was
needed" for 1940-41.
A few Senators thought Senator
Harrison's idea sound, but said the,
did not believe that House worl
(See CONGRESS, Page A-3)