Evening star., 1946-06-26
0PA Opposition
Believed Losinq
InSenateDebate
BorkIey Opens Fight
For Extension With
Plea for Approval
By J. A. OLeory

By J. A. o'Leory
Senate opposition to the COM
promise price control bill, ap-
proved by the House yesterday,
265 to los, appeared to be losing
momentum this afternoon.
AS in the House, there are two
Senate groups dissatisfied with tha
final draft for opposite reasons. One
faction does not think it goes far
enough in lifting price controls. The
other contends it goes too far and
will be little better than no law
after June 80.
A majority of the Senate, how
ever, is expected to 60 along with
the conference compromise and send
1t to the White House, possibly to.
night.
Barkley Opens Debate.
Opening the Senate debate todav.
Majority Leader Barley said every
one recognized the difficulties and
annoyances of price regulations af-
fecting the lives of 100000 peo-
pie. Every one, he said, from farmer
10 business man, from producer to
consumer, wanted to resume natural
trade methods as soon as it can ba
done safely.
yet the country as whole recoe-
nizes, believe, that we could not
mt these restrictions all at once"
the Majority Leader continued.
There had to be worked out a
tapering-of process to avoid the
disastrous consequences that fol-
lowed World War l."
Senator Barkley called the COM
promise the best bill possible in
the atmosphere of animosity in
which it had to be worked out.
Thomas Attacks Provisions.
Senator Thomas, Democrat. Of
Oklahoma, one of those who does
not think the bill goes far enough
In lifting controls, asserted it will
not result in getting either meat or
butter to the consumers.
Charging that OPA has not fol-
lowed standards placed in the
original price control law in fixing
ceilings, Senator Thomas predicted
they would go on making their own
rules under this revised bill.
At the other extreme was Senator
Pepper, Democrat, of Florida, who
said he was inclined to 60 along with
those who believe it would be better
If the President vetoed this bill be-
cause it goes too far IN lifting
controls.
The Republican whip, Senator
Wherry of Nebraska, was prepared
to lead a fight to recommit the
measure to the conferees with in
structions to hold out for further
decontrols.
However, with all price controls
due to expire Sunday night unless
this bill becomes law, observers be-
lieve most Senators will hesitate to
risk the responsibility of having no
legislation.
Rayburn Supports Measure.
Much significance was being at
tached to the brief, but pointed pre-
diction made in the House late yes
terday by Speaker Rayburn. The
Speaker, who joins in debate only on
the most important occasions, strobe
to the we'll of the House YESTERDAY
and warned his colleagues that re-
lection of this compromise bill would
mean no bill at all.
Mr.. Rayburn recognize the exist
ence of "a peculiar situation" in
which the mild, nine-month extern
sion was being fought by two groups
those who want no control and
those who want stronger control.
II this conference report is beaten.
the advocates of no control will have
their way, he said.
II the House will not vote up
this conference report, it certainly
Will not vote for a continuing reso-
luton and continue the law as it
now stands" the Speaker reasoned.
Even though the House were to
pass continuing resolution, the
leader of the Senate is doubtful if
it has chance on earth to pass
there"
Truman Signature Expected.
Some of those who heard Mr..
Rayburn took his remarks as an
indication President Truman will
sign this compromise bill, even
though it strips Price Administra-
tor Porter of much of his power
over everything except rents.
The fight in the Senate today is
expected to center around the action
Iof the conferees in killing Senate
amendments which would have
lifted all price control Sunday from
meat, poultry, dairy products, to-
bacco and petroleum.
In the House yesterday, however,
a similar effort to recommit the bill
for further consideration of those
amendments failed. 221 to $50.
AS the House was getting ready to
debate the bill yesterday, banner
suddenly was unfurled over the rail-
ing of one of the public galleries,
bearing the appel, Detroit Auto
Workers Plead to Save OPA."
Amid shouts of throw them out"
from some of the lawmakers, Speak
er Rayburn observed that if OPA is
saved it would be from the floor of
the House, not from the gallery.
Doorkeepers hustled two men and
the banner from the gallery, and the
sergeant at arms allowed them to