Evening star., 1942-01-14
Congress May Drop
Plan 10 Link Farm
Prices With Wages
Opposition to O'Mohoney
Amendment Is Voiced
By Some Conferees
BY the Associated Press.


By the Associated Press.
President Roosevelt's indictment
OF the Senate price control bill as
the direct road to imitation was ex-
pected today to force Congress to
abandon at least one of its two
special concessions to farmers.
Some of the II Senators and
House membtrs who will draft the
final form OF the wartime measure
said privately that they probably
would recommend to the two
chambers the elimination Of a pro-
vision linking farm parity prices
the yardstick for fixing farm ceilings
directly to industrial wages.
Departing rom his usual custom
of withholding comment on pending
legislation, the President told a press
conference yesterday that this pro-
vision, sponsored by Senator OMa-
honey, Democrat, of wyoming, would
start a spira. of rising prices costly
to the farmers and every one else
In the Nation.
He said lointedly that such q
formula would do more than any
thing else to saddle huge debt on
this and later generations and
would encourage labor to demand
higher wages to meet Increased costs
of living.
Bankhead Amendment Condemned
With equal force, Mr.. Roosevelt
condemned an amendment by Sen
ator Bankhead, Democrat. Of Ala
bama which would give Secretary
of Agriculture Wickard veto power
over any farm price ceilings the
price administrator might set. He
said he considered it thoroughly un-
sound to give one agent of the Gov
ernment power to make a decision
and another the power to veto it.
The President earlier had ex-
pressed similar views to the five
House members who will meet with
six Senators 10 compromise dis
similar bills passed by the two
bodies. He t.ld his press conference
that he thought the Congress men,
bers were sympathetic to his opin-
ions.
None of the five would confirm
that view publicly last night, but
there we're strong indications that
they would be inclined to go along
with his ideas. None Of the six Sem
ate confereeS voted for the OMa-
honey amene ment in the Senate last
week and oriy one of them. its au-
thor, voted for the Bankhead
amendment.
The Senate would forbid the fixing
Of a farm p,ice ceiling at less than
the 1919-192s level, the market price
on last December / or December IS,
or below the level based on indus
trial wages. The House bill con-
tanned three separate floors, the 10
year average the December market
price and an additional level Of ITO
per cent of parity. Parity prices
are those designed to yield farm
income equal to that of 1909 to 1914
Presidents Choice.
House coaferees said privately
that the Holse bill, once described
by an administration lieutenant as
a "monstrosiy," now appeared to be
the choice, Of the President, rather
than the Senate measure which
Senator Ba'kley, the Democratic
leader, called a farm relief bill"
House members said they regarded
the Bankhead amendments as much
less important than that of OMa-
honey because the President, as
boss" Of both Mr.. Wickard and
Price Administrator Henderson,
should be able to adjust disagree
ments between them.
In case Of a deadlock, Mr.. Roose-
welt made Gear to his press confer
ence yesterday that he always has
an effective remedy available.
II could fire them BOTH" he said
with a laugh, adding permission for
a direct quo alton of his assertion.
In addition to the farm amend
ments, the conferees will have before
them at the first meeting tomorrow
divergent Senate-House views on es-
tablishment of board Of review to
study any Price ceiling orders that
might be issued, a system Of licens-
ing of business deemed by the ad-
ministration necessary for enforce
ment Of the program and a host Of
minor matters.
House corferees predicted that a
full agreement would be reached be-
fore the week end and that the leg
islation might become law within 10
days.