Evening star., 1940-03-23
Benefits Added,
Bill Goes
Back 10 House
Economy Leader
Dubious of SIicinq
Off Pority Funds
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

The congressional economy drive
was back today almost to the level
at which 1t started three months
ago, as the ss23,OOO0O0 farm bill
awaited House action on Senate
amendments that added S212.0OO,-
900 for parity payments, $85, 900, 900
for disposal Of surplus commodities
and many smaller changes.
Following passage of the big agri-
cultural measure late yesterday, the
Senate gave right of way to the
resolution to extend the administra-
tlon's reciprocal trade agreement
program for three more years, and
then recessed until Monday. when
extended debate on that major issue
will start.
Allowing for reductions in some
items the Senate made a net in
crease Of about s209 900 900 over the
House total of direct appropriations
for the farm program. Before the
farm bill came along, approximately
$500 0,000,000 had been whitfield from
prior supply bills in an effort to
avoid levying the $3.50, 100000 Of
new taxes the Presidents budget
would have required.
Authorizes Loan to r. E. A.
In addition to the 5000 OO0, 900 Of
direct appropriations, the Senate
wrote into the farm bill authority
for the r. F. c. to lend $40 1000 900
for the program of the Rural Elec-
trlfication Administration, and $50.
00O 900 for the farm-tenancy pro-
gram under the Bankhead- Jones
Act. II the loan authorizations are
included, the total for all agricul-
tural purposes in the bill passes the
blllion-dollar mark.
The House probably will send the
measure to conference Monday or
Tuesday and, while it may not
agree to the full amounts added
by the Senate, the bulk of the Sem
ate increase is likely to be sustained,
The main item, parity payments,
was not in the Presidents budget
and was not provided for in the
original House bill.
Economy Leader Dubious.
Representative Woodrum, Demo-
crat, of Virginia, a leader of the
House economy bloc, observed econ-
omy advocates would make the best
fight we can but the economy spirit
probably will not be as strong the
\ axtstiRaa the Ship eomesshefeEH ux.s
House leaders said the $85 400 600
surplus commodities provision would
swing many urban Representatives
behind the expanded bill because
OF the popularity of the stamp plan
in many cities. Under that plan
persons on relief and in low income
groups are given so cents worth Of
food designated as surplus commod-
tiles for each dollar spent for other
| foods.
The plan is operating in so cities
now, will be expanded to 100 urban
areas by July, and, officials say, is
sought by 700 cities. The budget
recommended $72OOO,OOO for surplus
removal but the item was stricken
out in the House originally under a
technicality.
Senator Russell of Georgis, who
steered the farm appropriation
through the Senate, estimated that
10000, 900 persons would benefit from
the outlays it provides-5, 500 900
farmers and their families. Another
100000 persons were eligible, he
estimated, to receive food under the
surplus removal programs.
1
Serving with Senator Russell as
Senate members of the Conference
Committee on the bill will be Sem
ators Hayden of Arizona, Tydings
of Maryland, Bankhead of Alabama,
Smith of South Carolina, Demo-
Gratis, and Nye of North Dakota. and
McNary of Oregon, Republicans.
Chances of Saving Slim.
There appeared to be little hope
today OF saving enough on remain
ing appropriation bills to offset the
farm increases and the new tax
revenue contemplated by the budget
as submitted in January. The
biggest bills remaining to be acted
on by the Senate are Navy, Army,
work relief, Interior and civil func-
| tlOnS of the War Depa rtrnent