Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-04-26
McNary's Veto Plan
May Launch Bitter
Trade Treaty Battle
Minority Leader Defends
Right Of Senate to
Review All Such Poets
3y the Associated Press.

3y the Associated Press.
A demand by Senate Minority
Leader McNary that Congress
assume veto powers over recipro-
cal trade agreements has in
creased the likelihood of bitter
legislative fight over renewal OF
the administrations authority to
negotiate such agreements.
Senator McNary told reporters
yesterday that prolonged political
debate" could be avoided and the
renewal granted speedily if the ad-
ministration would agree to give
Congress the right to nullify within
60 days by majority vote any agree
ment it did not approve. Otherwise
he said, lit may be argued that it is
distinctly undemocratic to prohibit
Congress from expressing the popu-
lar will"
But Secretary of State Hull
already has made it clear that the
administration is determined to
fight against any amendment at
this time when, he said, I'VE are
most concerned that there not be
the slightest basis for doubt in any
ones mind concerning our steadfast
determination to cooperate fully
with like minded nations in peace
as well as in war;
Administration to Fight.
Mr. Hull thus confirmed reports
In Congress that the administration
had decided to fight for unamended
renewal Of the program.
Authority for the reciprocal trade
program, expiring June II, is up
for a three-year renewal. It was
first authorized in 1894, and has
been renewed twice for three-year
periods. Under it, the administra-
ton can obtain agreements with
other nations providing for tariff
reductions up to so per cent in re-
turn for reciprocal reductions. Still
other countries which do not dis
criminate against American trade
can obtain the same advantages.
Senator McNary said he had
learned with surprise and disap-
prevail the point of view of some
OF the New Deal leaders that the
war effort of the United Nations
might crack if Congress changed
one word in the present Trade
Agreement Act"
That implication" the Oregon
Senator added, lis unworthy of our
Allies"
George Warns Of Changes.
Chairman George Of the Senate
Finance Committee had said previ-
ously that "any amendment to the
act would be regarded by nations
now associated with us and others
as an indication that the American
Congress would not go along in any
program of postwar reconstruction
and cooperation" This, Senator
George said, may have a serious
effect on the war"
Senator McNary, expressing dis
belief that congressional action to
amend the Trade Agreements Act
would affect the Allies attitude in
fighting the war, declared:
I'VE have been told and many of
us believe that they (our Allies are
fighting to liberate mankind. There
fore, 1t is inconceivable that Rus
STA, England and China would de-
sert us and their high detectives be-
cause the people of America, speak
Ing slrough the Congress, ask that
the trade agreements be ratified be-
fore becoming effective.
"A sound and sane argument can
be made for the present renewal of
the act and for that reason 1 am
persuaded that an extension of the
act, with slight modification, is
desirable
1T may be argued that it is dis