Evening star., 1940-02-17
Fund Cuts 10. J. 0byiaie
Need for New Taxes,
.Bark|ey Believes
House Posses Navy Bill;
Senator Thinks Congress
Moy Adjourn June !

Muy Adjourn June
By the Associated Press.
Senate Majority Leader Barkley
indicated today he believed con-
gressiona1 slashing of appropriations
would obviate the necessity for new
taxes.
President Roosevelt has recon-
mcnded $3.50 ,o0o. 900 Of new levies to
meet emergency" defense costs and
thus keep the Federal debt within
the $4,000, 900, 900 limit fixed by
Congress.
But Senator Barkley told report
ers:
TT looks now as II that fight can
be avoided"
His statement was prompted OBJ
viously by the action of both House
and Senate in trimming appropria-
tions asked by the President.
Hhe House preserved its record in
this respect yesterday when it passed
. $965, ,779,000 naval appropriation
bill, after cutting out 81 ,000, 900 re-
quested to improve the harbor at
Guam, a naval outpost in the Pacific.
Opponents Of this item contended
it might lead to war with Japan.
$111,7oo, 900 Slash.
A1rpoct vyitho,1t lohota }ba
chamber accepted the action of its
Appropriations Committee in cutting
the bill Sill, 100000 below the Presi-
dents budget estimates.
The Presidents objection to cur
tailment of funds to start two new
45,000-ton battleships was expected,
however, to result in attempts in
the Senate to restore funds for this
purpose.
The Senate and House and their
committees have sliced about $270,-
100000 from Mr.. Roosevelt's budget
estimates thus far Most of these
reductions have not been acted on
finally, however.
Senator Barkley predicted that
Congress would wind up its work
about June ! If it did not consider
new taxes.
This would clear the legislative
docket Of most pending issues more
than three weeks in advance of the
Republican National Convention,
which is set. for June "a at Phila-
delphia. It would prevent a repe-
tition of the 1896 situation, when
Congress recessed through the Re-
publican meeting and adjourned
only a few days before the Demo-
cratic convention.
McNary Is Doubtful.
Senator Barkley's adjournment
prediction was based, he said, on
the assumption that legislation to
renew the administrations recipro-
cal trade agreements program would
be approved without long conflict
and that other controversial issues
would be avoided.
Senator McNary OF, Oregon, the
Republican leader, was less opti-
mistic about the chances of an early
home going.
Il don't see much chance to get
away before the middle of June, if
we make it then" he commented.
Senator McNary said, however,
he thought Republicans would have
no objection to speedy considera-
tion in the Senate of the legislation
to renew the Trade Agreements Act.
The House will take up that
measure next week. Republicans
there have expressed strong opposi-
tion to it, through a minority re-
port Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee.
Both House and Senate were in
recess today.
Funds for 19 Combat Ships.
The Navy bill, as sent to the
Senate, carried funds to start work
on 10 new combat ships, S auxiliary
vessels and 352 additional airplanes,
as well as money to continue work
on 70 warships and 18 auxiliaries
now under construction.
The measure, which went through
without a record vote, is the regular,
annual appropriation bill, carrying
money for the next fiscal year. De-
spite the drastic cut in the Presi-
dents naval estimates, the bill car
ried about $4,000, 900 more than the
Navy received for the current fiscal
year.
In addition to $34O, ,371 ,e7e for ship
construction, armament and ord
nance. the bill would provide $99,-
b63, 800 in direct appropriations for
naval aviation, plus contract au-
thorizations totaling $4,000 900, and
81 ,638,475 for a variety of projects
at naval shore establishments. An
attempt by Representative Rich,
Republican, of Pennsylvania to
strike out funds for one of the pro-