Evening star., 1940-03-12
Congress
Continued From First Page)

originally was included in the regu-
lar agriculture supply measure for
the fiscal year beginning July l, but
later was deleted from that bill and
included in the deficiency legisla-
tion in order that 1T might become
immediately available.
Yesterdays motion that the SEN
ate put aside the anti-politics de-
bate for the 1923 900 900 farm appro-
priation bill drew support from both
opponents of the Hatch measure and
supporters of the farm bill, but it
failed by a vote of Al to 36
Republicans, who had been re-
ported in tacit agreement with the
proposal to take up the farm meas
ure, voted solidly against shelving
the Hatch legislation.
Minton Raps Republicans.
The decision came after Senator
Minton of Indiana. the majority
whip. had given the Republicans a
tongue flashing for their stand on
the measure.
Talk about pure politics!" Sem
ator Minton shouted. The Re-
publicans are trying to Hatch-Act
the Democrats out Of Washington.
They are playing smart politics,
walking up to the line like a bunch
of rubber stamps and voting for
the Hatch Act"
Democratic Leader Barkley said
there was mo hurry" about the
farm bill. which would make ap-
preparations for the year beginning
July /.
Although report circulated
among some Senators that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had suggested the
farm bill be deferred until the
Hatch measure had been disposed
Of, Senator Barkley asserted he had
no such information. He was one
of the congressional leaders who
talked with Mr.. Roosevelt >at the
weekly legislative conference yes
terday.
House Due to Pass Navy Bill.
Across the Capitol, speedy House
approval was forecast for a bill TO
authorize a $685. ,OO0,O 900 expansion
Of the Navy. 1t would permit con-
struction of about 81 more combat
ships, % auxiliary vessels and 1,0ll
new planes in the next two years.
The proposed increase, for which
funds would have to be provided
later, was little more than half the
amount recommended by Secretary
Edison as necessary to give the
United States even "a fair degree
of security" under present world
conditions.
The Senate yesterday was filled
with spirited oratory and frankly
worded exchanges between friends
and foes of the Hatch measure.
Charging that the opposition was
conducting filibuster, Senator
Clark, Democrat, of Missouri, noted
that some opponents had contended
that an issue of States rights was
involved. He reminded them that
some of their number had voted for
such measures as the N. r. A., and
pointedly asserted:
"Only in this hour when this
measure is brought in here is the
cry of States rights raised"
He had been moved to tears"
he said sarcastically, by pleas for
"the inalienable right of charwomen
to be mulcted of 2 per cent of their
pay"
One amendment came to a vote
during the day, which also showed
the pro-Hatch group in command.
This was on an amendment by
Senator Brown, Democrat, of Michi-
gan to forbid political activity to
oficers of corporations, receiving
salaries of $3.50 a year or more,
which have Government contracts
or receive tariff benefits.
The opponents of the Hatch bill
flocked to its support in the hope
that If 1t were written into the bill
its presence would ALLEVIATE the Re-
publican membership. But they
were beaten, So to 81.
Over 10000 people are now en-
ployed in Northern Ireland's linen