Evening star., 1942-09-18
Parity yChange
Facing Defeat
In Committee
House Unit Majority
Reported in Favor
OF Scropping Plan
BY the Associated Press.


Ing Committee was reported to-
day to favor scrapping of the
controversial higher farm price
parity provision in the anti
imitation bill drawn by Chairman
Steagall.
This could mean an end TO an
effort, supported by some farm or
CARNATIONS, toward a redefinition of
parity to raise the level by including
a computation of all farm labor
costs.
A group of committee members
met informally last night, and it
was said they decided to attempt
far-reaching revisions of the Stea-
gall bill. Some favored substitution
OF new bill.
Those wanting sharp revisions or
new bill while refusing to he
quoted directly, expressed confidence
tnat a majority of the committee
would favor bill embracing definite
stlpulatlons for the regulation of
wages and salaries.
The Steagall bill would direct the
President to establish such maxi
mum salaries and industrial wages
as Will bring about and maintain q
fair and equitable relation" with
maximum farm prices.
Fulmer Urges Fight for Farmer
Chairman Fulmer told the House
Agriculture Committee that from
the standpoint of the farmer the
House bill, with its redefinition of
parity, SIS much better than the
Senate bill"
At the outset of an informal COM
mlttee gathering, Mr.. Fulmer said
the farm Representatives must put
up the best fight we can to get the
best we can for the farmers"
The committee was told by Rep
resentative Andersen, Republican. of
Minnesota that regardless of the
type OF legislation enacted, If it
failed to coincide with the wishes of
the President Hes going to 20
ahead and do just what he wants to
do"
And we've got Supreme Court
that will support the President"
Mr.. Andersen blamed what he
| called the administrations high
wage program for the growing infla-
ton threat, asserting that high
wages being paid in the processing
and distribution OF farm products
were causing high food prices, with
the farmer getting none of the
higher price.
Senator Bankhead, Democrat. Of
Alabama, who also has urged that
wages OF farm labor be con.
sldered In determining how much
the producer ought to receive for
his crops, said he feared the Senate
Banking Committee would reject
any amendment changing the basis
for parity.
I'VE won't get it over the Presi-
dents opposition" he told reporters.
after the President said he objected
to the proposal.
Labor Sterilization Formula.
Senator Brown, Democrat, of
Michigan said the completed bill
was likely to contain a wage stabili-
cation formula similar to that
evolved by the War Labor Board in
the Little Steel" case, thus permit
ting pay increases of Is per cent
over January /, 1941, levels which
would match increases in cost of
living.
The Michigan Senator said pro-
vision also would be made to count
customary bonuses in as part of the
annual salary of workers, where
they had received similar bonuses in
the past.
Senator Brown said that WLB
Chairman William H. Davis had
estimated the Little Steel" formula
would provide a wage level little
different from that prevailing at,
present.
The President wrote Chairman
Wagner of the Senate committee
and Mr.. Steagall yesterday express
ing "unalterable opposition" to any
change in the method of comput-
ing parity, which is a price level
calculated to give farmers a return
equal to that of past favorable
period, usually 1909-14.
Presidents Stand Supported.
He was promptly joined in this
opposition by Secretary of Agricul-
ture Wickard and Price Administra-
tor Leon Henderson, both of whom
said any change would tend to in
crease the cost of LIVING
The Steagall measure proposes
that the parity level be raised
to cover the costs Of all labor
on the farm, including the farm
er, members of his family and
hired help. Mr.. Steagall said Gov
ernment experts had told him that
inclusion of all labor would increase
the parity level IL per cent. but If
only hired help were considered the
increase would be per cent.
Senator Bankhead's farm labor
proposal was before the Senate COM
mlttee as 1t sought to whip into final
shape a bill which would authorize
and direct the President to stabilize
prices, wages and salaries as far as
practical as of either August Is or
September is levels. Senator Brown
said the latter date might finally be
chosen.
The committee tentatively agreed
yesterday to revise one section which
would have prevented the imposition
OF ceilings on farm prices at below
the highest point they had reached
between January and September
Is. Senator Brown said the effect of
this would be to level of price
humps" that developed because of
seasonal demands for such COM
moditles by adjusting the price level
downward in these cases.
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