Evening star., 1940-02-18
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

The stage is being set for . tug
of-war in the Senate between advo-
Gates of farm benefits and national
defense to save one or the other
OF these major programs from the
economy drive.
A preliminary skirmish may come
over whether to take up first the
$722 ,000. 900 agricultural bill, from
which the House cut nearly $67, 900, =
600, or the 1866, IT'S, ,438 Navy bill,
from which that body slashed more
than $112, 900 900.
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of
South Carolina, chairman of the
Naval Appropriations Subcommit-
tee, announced yesterday his group
will consider each of the budget
items on its merits, which means a
review Of House curtailments in ship
construction and other phases Of
naval preparedness.
The South Carolinian was not
ready, in advance Of such study, to
predict whether the Senate will sus-
tain or restore House reductions.
Sh1pbuilding Study.
Il am going to make q thorough
investigation of the ship construc-
ton program" said Senator Byrnes.
reiterating an announcement he
made some time ago. particularly
OF the wisdom Of continuing present
types Of ships or whether experi.
ences OF the present war suggest the
advisability Of changes, and If 50
to what extent"
Senate hearings on the naval bill
Will not start. however, for at least
a week, he said.
Meanwhile, another subcommit-
tee. headed by Senator McKellar,
Democrat, of Tennessee, starts hear
ings tomorrow morning on the S107,-
227,620 supply bill for the State,
Justice and Commerce Departments
Since the funds for these depart
ments involve largely maintenance
and operation the House cut only
$2.500 900 from budget estimates.
Ordinarily, the farm bill would
come next, ahead Of Navy, having
reached the Senate two weeks ago,
and may be taken up In that order.
Clark to Oppose, However.
Notice vas served yesterday, how
ever, by Senator Clark. Democrat,
OF Missouri, an opponent. of in
creased expenditures for national
defense, that he will fight any effort
to bring the farm bill before the
Senate first.
Declaring his belief that the House
did not cut enough" from the
Navy measure, the Missourian said: !:
i am not in favor of considering
the agricultural bill until both the
Army and Navy supply measures
are disposed Of"
His view Is known to be shared BY
q number of other Senators, pre-
sumably in the belief that there
Will be more chance Of restoring
some Of the deleted farm funds II
the measure comes up later.
Senate Minority Leader McNary
indicated yesterday he thought the
Senate would at least sustain the
House reduction in the Navy bill,
and might even cut it deeper.
Senate Farm Bloc Stronger.
Admittedly, the farm group will
be able to make q stronger show
ing in the Senate than in the House.
One member pointed out yesterday
that Senator'S represent Statewide
opinion, and that nearly every State
includes substantial rural areas,
whereas in the House many mem
bers come from wholly urban dis
tricts.
On the other hand, there is a
strong urge in both houses to avoid
raising taxes or the public debt
limit on the eve of the national
election campaign, and this can be
done only by pairing $46O, 900 900 from
the Presidents budget, as a whole.
From the seven appropriation bills
that have passed one or both houses
thus far, q total of about $26S, ,0o0,-
600 has been cut from the budget
Part Of this saving, however, Is
still subject to possible restoration
before House and Senate conferees
reach final agreements and send
the bills to the White House.
Farm Bill Is Crucial.
1t is generally conceded that the
economy drive will face its crucial
test when the farm bill reaches the
Senate. At that point there viii
arise not only the question Of re-
storing part Of the So, ,000, 900 the
House cut from budget estimates,
but an effort to provide substantial
part Of the $225 ,00o, 900 for parity
price payments to farmers, ap-