Evening star., 1944-06-11
Amendments Delay
House Vote on Bill
To Continue 0PA
Ey the Associated Press.


Begged down by more than a
score of other amendments, the
House spent six hours debating
price control extension legislation
yesterday without even touching on
such controversial subjects as the
Bankhead cotton rider.
In its second consecutive Satur-
day session, it disposed of only
eight proposed changes before de-
Gliding to put off until this week
a final vote on the bill continuing
the price control law beyond its
current expiration date of June 80.
Amendments tentatively ap-
proved, all subject to roll-call votes
later, deal with Oil, subsidies to
professors of agricultural products,
court sales, reductions in ceiling
prices on farm products, and the
OPA's controversial highest price
line" regulation.
Many Proposals Rejected.
Voted down were proposals to give
all retailers the benefit of lowest
wholesale prices, to outlaw OPA
penalties and sanctions not express
ly authorized by low, to permit evic-
ton Of tenants who abuse rented
property and to exempt rough rice
from price control.
The oil amendment, approved by
standing vote OF 123 to 81, inserts
a provision directing the OPA to
order an increase of approximately
IS cents per barrel in crude prices.
Its hackers said 1t was necessary to
keep petroleum production up with
wartime consumption.
Representative Hartley, Republi-
can, Of New Jersey wrote the high
est price line" amendment which
was adopted by a standing vote Of
157 to 81. II prohibits OPA from re-
quiring retailers to limit stocks OF
goods or sales to the highest price
line offered during a given period.
Mr. Hartley urged 1t as essential to
prevent smaller retailers from being
forced out of business.
The amendment. exempting court
sales from OPA price ceilings was
sponsored by Representative Spring
er, Republican, of Indiana, who
said existing OPA rules make it
impossible for court agents in some
States to make sales to the highest
and best bidders.
An overwhelming voice vote ac-
cepted an amendment requiring
OPA to give Is days notice prior
to the normal planting season before
lowering price ceilings on agricul-
tural commodities.
Tenant Evictions Killed.
On motion of Representative Kle-
berg, Democrat, of Texas, and by
standing vote of 83 to 50 the
House adopted an amendment pro-
hibiting the payment of subsidies
to professors of agricultural prod
ucts unless the professor gives salts
factory evidence of having paid the
producer parity price. The
amendment primarily affects pro-
cessors of wheat, cattle and hogs.
Rejected, 86 to 80. was proposal
by Representative Rolph, Republi-
can. Of California, to permit eyic-
tions of tenants from rented prop
erty in cases where there is proof
OF abuse Of the property. Existing
regulations, Mr.. Rolph contended,
frequently make 1t impossible for q
landlord to evict an obnoxious"
tenant
Administration leaders are mar
shalling their votes to beat down
the Bankhead amendment approved
Friday by the Senate to tie textile
ceilings to a parity price for raw
cotton and assure millers their op-
Grating costs plus "a reasonable
profit" Some administration fol-
lowers predicted q presidential veto
If the House accepted the amend
ment.