Evening star., 1940-02-05
.Canvassers Predict
Victory fe1nafe
For Trade Program
Move for Ratification
Of Each Pact Doomed,
Stroteeists Contend
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A preliminary canvass by admins
tration leaders was reported today
to indicate Senate approval of ex-
tending the reciprocal trade pro-
gram.
Although the survey was incom-
plete, one Of the Senators who has
been making it said there was every
reason to believe that not more
than a dozen Democrats would join
the % Republicans in opposing the
legislation.
Administration strategists said
there apparently would be stronger
sentiment for Senate ratification of
each trade pact, but they expressed
confidence they had the votes to
defeat an amendment of that nature.
The canvass of Senators views has
been proceeding quietly, under the
direction of Senators Byrnes, Demo-
crat, of South Carolina, and Harri-
son, Democrat, of Mississippi, while
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee has been busy with hearings
on the program.
Congress Marks Time.
While this maneuvering was 60
ing on, Congress marked time today
to permit many of its members to
attend, either as spectators or as
participants, the meeting of the
Democratic National Committee to
make arrangements for the party
convention.
The Senate, however, will have a
test tomorrow of the strength Of
its economy advocates. 1t will de-
bate the s1,138,675, 900 appropria-
tions bill for independent Federal
agencies. An increase of s38 500, 900
over the House total was voted
by the Senate Appropriations Com
mittee on the ground that the
extra money was needed for con-
tracts entered into by the Mari
time Commission.
Even with the Senate increase,
the bill was s56,029, 900 under bud
get estimates. Nevertheless, it
totaled about S22,0OO,0 900 more than
was given the independent agencies
by Congress in the current year.
Farm Bill Fight Planned.
There were growing indications,
too, that the House action in
trimming down to s722,00l O84 next
years appropriations for the Agri-
culture Department would face a
stiff fight In the Senate. This
figure was s66,928,4 ,435 under the
Presidents budget estimate and
S579,339,23l under the total made
available this year.
Senator Russell, Democrat, of
Georgia, who has advocated at least
5000 100000 for farm parity pay
ments, said that a determined ef-
fort to include that amount would
be made within the Appropriations
Committee. The House made no
provision for parity funds.
The prospective appearance of
John L. Lewis, C.sI O. president,
before the Senate Labor Committee
tomorrow gave supporters of changes
in the Wagner Act some hope that
they would obtain Senate action at
this session.
The testimony of Mr.. Lewis and
his aides is expected to close the
committees study of proposed
amendments to the act, continued
at intervals for almost year. The
House Labor Committee and a
special House committee also are
considering the subject.
Relief Move Studied.
Meanwhile it was disclosed that
some legislative leaders are dis
cussing the possibility of making
only part-year appropriation for
relief in an effort to avoid raising
taxes or increasing the national
debt in this session of Congress.
Administration farm leaders,
meanwhile, expressed the belief
that President Roosevelt could be
induced to support processing taxes
to raise farm aid funds if the
major agricultural organizations
would unite behind such a pro-
gram.