Evening star., 1941-04-05
Congress, in Recess,
Defers Tax, Convoy,
Labor Legislation
Senate Approves Cool Act
Extension; Heavy Burden
For All Taxpayers Seen
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
With important defense measures
out of the way, members of Con-
gress were leaving Washington to-
day for a weeks vacation before
tackling the controversial questions
of new taxes, conveys and labor
disputes.
The House recessed earlier this
week until April IA and the Sem
ate arranged to transact no busi-
ness until that date, although it will
hold two perfunctory sessions next
week Majority Leader Barkley told
Senators yesterday they were free
to disport themselves as they saw
fit until after Easter.
Before quitting for week, the
Senate passed legislation already
approved by the House to extend
for two years the Bituminous Coal
Act, under which the Government
fixed minimum soft coal prices.
Supporters of the extension con-
tended prompt approval might help
in settling the wage dispute in the
soft coal industry.
Bill Flown to Rayburn.
To expedite the legislation to the
President, arrangements were made
to dispatch the bill by aerial courier
to Texas for Speaker Rayburns
signature.
When Congress settles down to
business again, it is expected to
work many weeks on a new reve-
nue. bill which probably will place
heavier burdens on virtually all
classes of taxpayers Administra-
ton leaders have agreed that the
measure should raise at least ST.
500 10000 of new revenue. and sew
eral legislators have asserted that
much more than this sum is needed
to Offset big defense expenditures.
The convoy question-one that
has been debated intermittently
ever since the aid-to-Britain pro-
gram was initiated-is pending be-
fore the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee in a reslution by Senator
Tobey, Republican, of New Hamp-
shire to prohibit the use of Amer
lean warships for protecting ship
ments abroad
Wheeler to Back Tobey Plan.
Senator Wheeler, Democrat. of
Montana and other opposition Sena-
tors have announced they would
make a determined fight for the
Tobey resolution. They contend the
use Of conveys would lead the coun-
try into war. Administration spokes-
men have been reluctant to discuss
the resolution, but have agreed pri-
vately that they have ample
strength to kill it.
Numerous proposals have been ad-
vanced to curb labor disputes in
defense industries, but thus far moth
ing has been done. Senator Barkley
told reporters that the whole situ-
alton was being studied carefully,
but that it would be unwise to take
hasty action
Sponsors of strike-restricting bills
were expected to drive for their
consideration unless existing labor
disputes are settled in the near
future
The measures suggested include
proposals to give broad strike set =
ting powers to the National Defense
Mediation Board. to provide cool
ing-of period before workers in
defense industries can walk out and
to permit the Government to take
over and operate strike-bound
plants.
Farm Bill Awaits Action.
In the agriculture field. a Joint
Senate-House Conference Commit
tee will seek shortly after Easter
to adjust differences in farm ap-
preparations measures passed by the
two chambers. The Senate voted
81 .340, 900 900, or about $3.50, ,O0O. .O0O
more than the sum approved by the
House.
Other controversies are expected
over legislation to increase farm
prices by providing Government
loans on five major crops and to
freeze" for the duration of the war
all stocks of cotton now under Gov
ernment loan. The latter proposal
is designed to mitigate the depress-
ing effect of loan cotton stocks on
present market prices.
Congress already has voted a series
of record breaking defense expendi-
lures, but final action on the naval
supply bill is awaiting decision of a
joint conference committee and the
regular Army supply bill still must
be passed by both houses.