Evening star., 1940-02-04
Nv J, A. OLEARY.

the economy drive, which up to
yesterday had taken $155 100000
from budget estimates on five ap-
preparation bills in the first month
of the session.
As Senate agriculturaliSts began
to form their lines, there were early
indications they may make coun-
termove against national defense
funds, not only to get back part OF
approximately S67 100000 the House
cut from budget estimates for the
farmer, but also to provide for farm
parity price payments. Both the
budget and the House omitted the
$225 100000 allowed last year for
parity payments.
Meanwhile, the economy advo-
Gates held their ground in another
sector yesterday, when House con-
ferees on the first deficiency bill
accepted nearly all of the $12, ,788 900
the Senate cut from emergency
funds for safeguarding neutrality.
Since the House originally took
100000 of the estimates, the bill
reaches its final stage $l9,000,00O
below the budget.
Bill Claims $252, 400 900.
This is the first supply bill on
which House and Senate conferees
have agreed. 1t carries about $751;
100000 for the Army, Navy, Coast
Guard and Federal Bureau OF In
~ cfi ~ ~
cautions effective.
Chairman Glass of the Senate Ap-
propriations Committee is not opti-
mistic over the outlook for bringing
about any substantial reduction in
the total of the budget as a whole.
People like to spend money too
we'll" he said, especially when they
are spending other peoples money"
Senator Lucas, Democrat, of Illi-
nois. was one of the first to suggest
that the administration $780,
100000 national defense budget be
cut, to the extent of $500, 0,000, 900, to
be used in part for farm needs and
for other Government requirements.
The Illinois Senator predicted 1t
would be May before the agricul-
ture supply bill reaches the Senate
floor. after lengthy hearings.
Would Lay Aside Farm Bill.
A prominent Republican Senator
Indicated privately he thought the
farm bill should be laid aside until
the Army and Navy appropriations
bills are brought out. This course,
If followed, would have the same
general objective, namely, Of restor-
ing farm cuts by reducing the de-
fense program.
Senator Russell, Democrat, Of
Georgia. chairman Of the subcom-
mittee that will handle the farm
bill. asserted yesterday the farmer
Is called on to bear more than a
fair share of the economy drive in
the $722,001 ,084 House measure.
The Georgia Senator declared
the farmer is willing Ito take his
proportionate share of a general
economy move" but said he would
protest against making agriculture
bear a large part of the burden.
He said he understood the budget
as whole represented an average
cut of 5 per cent in Government
expenditures. On this basis, he
said, $4,000, 900. would be a rea-
sonable amount for the Senate to
restore, out of the abandoned $685.
100000 parity price fund.
Senator Russell said he is "dis-
turbed" over House rejection of
s25 100000 for the farm tenancy pro-
gram, and argued even that amount
would not be adequate. He pointed
out the law authorizes 10000 900.
and the current years appropria-
ton is s4O,0O0000.
Willing to Vote Special Taxes.
The S72,67S,812 for disposal Of
surplus commodities eliminated by
the House also is important, but is
no more so than parity payments"
the Georgia Senator observed. Even
without that item, Senator Russell
said there will be $100,000,00O avail
able for disposal of surpluses, by
reason of the law which earmarks
80 per cent of customs receipts for
that purpose.
Senator Russell said he would be
willing to vote special taxes to cover
the parity payment program, but
that his committee is helpless to
put such legislation in an appro-
priation bill under the rules. Re-
venue proposals must originate in
the House.
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of
South Carolina said the Senate sub
committee should go through the
bill and consider anew all the orig
inal budget estimates for agricul-
ture and decide each item on its
merits.
Senator Nye Of North Dakota,
ranking Republican on the subcom-
mittee, declared the rejection OF the
item for relief of tenant farmers "is
a serious matter" He joined also
in urging that some provision be
made for continuing parity pay
ments, unless it can be definitely
shown that the price situation will
make 1t unnecessary next year.
Senate Republicans will hold a
conference, probably Wednesday, to
fill committee vacancies, and up-
doubtedly will discuss at the same
time the impending farm fight.
Conflicting Viewpoints Likely.
Conflicting viewpoints are likely
to develop in the Senate over the
relative merits of restoring the sur
plus commodity item, or parity pay
ment money. Parity payments ap-
ply to certain basic commodities,
like cotton, wheat, corn, rice and to-
bacco. Surplus disposal helps other
commodities, such as dairy products
and vegetables, and is part of the un-
employment relief program in cities.
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico announced he would support
restoration of the Presidents budget