Evening star., 1940-04-20
Wagner Act Change!
May Be Put Over.
Until Next Session
Pressure for June 10.
Adjournment May.
PigeonhoIe Measure
BY the ASso ciated Press.

By the Asso ciated Press.
Uncertainty, heightened by pres
sure for an early adjournment,
clouded the outlook today for ffnal
action at this session of Congress on
proposed changes in the Wagner
Labor Act.
The House resigned itself to a
knock-down, drag-out on the long
smoldering revision controversy, but
many friends and foes Of the present
act agreed that, regardless Of what
the House did, the Senate was not
likely TO complete congressional ac-
ton on this subject before the ten
tative June 10 adjournment date.
In the Senate wing signs multi
piled that campaign-minded legisla-
tors were in a mood to pigeonhole
major measures, If necessary, In Or
der to wind up the session by early
June
It was reported authoritatively
that President Roosevelt had re-
iterated to congressional leaders this
week his hope that Congress would
adjourn as quickly as possible. He
was represented as believing that
virtually all pending legislation ex-
cept appropriations bills could be de-
ferred until next session.
Legislators Also Anxious.
The reported White House sugges-
ton fell in with known desires of
both Republican and Democratic
leaders to get away from Washing
ton at least two weeks in advance of
the June "a Republican national
convention. Senate Majority Leader
Barkley predicted that hope would
be realized.
The Wagner Act revision dis
pute was started toward a House
showdown yesterday by the action
Of a Rules Committee dominated
by a coalition of Republicans and
Southern Democrats. The commit
tee approved procedure for un-
limited debate on the whole ques-
ton of amending the National
Labor Relations Act.
Agreement by a House-Senate
committee made possible yesterday
early final action on legislation tc
bring water carriers under Inter-
state Commerce Commission regu.
lation.
The legislation, which includes
numerous minor amendments tt
existing railroad and motor carrier
laws, was passed by Senate anc
House in differing forms last year
The joint committee has been seek.
ing to compose differences since
the first of February.
To Be Made Public Soon.
| The conferees did not announce
| complete details of their agreement
| but said these would be made public
next week.
Under the compromise bill Mari.
time Commission jurisdiction ovel
most intercoastal, coastwise anc
ireat Lakes shipping would be trans
ferred to the I. c. C. Inland water
carriers would be brought under
regulation as to rates and othel
matters for the first time.
Legislation TO extend the Fedora
crop insurance program to cotton
starting with next year S crop, passec
the House yesterday despite con.
tentions of some members that i
was an unwise venture into expert.
mental fields.
With Republicans voting almos
solidly against it, the measure wen
through by roll-call vote of 1879 t.
1l3
AS finally approved. the bill woult
permit the Government to insur
cotton farmers against crop fail
ures-up to rs per cent of their cror
The House substituted its bill for
slightly different one already passe,
by the Senate, thus requiring Sen
ate approval of the revision befor
the legislation can 60 to the Whit
House.