Evening star., 1947-12-18
Senate Defeats
Attempt 10 Put
Teeth in Taft Bill
BorkIey Amendment
For Controls on Scarce
Goods Voted Down
BY the Associated Press


The Senate today batted down
a Democratic proposal to grant
President Truman mandatory"
authority to require industry to
parcel out scarce cost-of living
commodities.
The Senate defeated an amend
ment by Democratic Leader Barkley
to a three-point limitation bill
sponsored by Senator Taft, Republi-
can, of Ohio. The action may re-
suit in Democratic opposition which
could prevent passage Of the mea-
sure in the special session of Con-
gress.
The vote against the Barkley
amendment was 47 to 80.
The Taft bill would authorize
the President to consult with in
|dustry on voluntary agreements de-
signed to hold prices in line under
temporary suspension of the anti
trust laws.
Senator Barkley wanted to give
Mr.. Truman power to issue orders
and regulations which would compel
such agreements.
Senator Taft opposed Senator
Barkley's amendment on the ground
it would Change the entire ma
ture" of his bill and impose COM
pulsory controls over all industry"
Three Cross Party Lines.
The Ohioan said adoption would
have made it impossible" to pass
the Republican bill before adjourn
ment Of the special session tomor-
row.
Senator Barkley disagreed and
said he does not believe "the Pres
ident of the United States ought to
be required to huckster among busi-
ness"
Three Senators crossed party lines
in the test vote on the Barkley
amendment. Senator Morse, Repub-
lican, of Oregon was the only mem
ber Of his party to support Senator
Barkley's proposal Senators Byrd
and Robertson, of Virginia, both
Democrats, voted against the amend
ment.
Senator Taft told reporters the
Senate would have to vote early in
the afternoon on his bill to leave
any chance that the House might
reconsider the measure before Con-
gress adjourns tomorrow.
Taft and Leaders Differ.
On top of this was evidence that
there may be sharp division be-
tween Senator Taft and the House
Republican leadership on whether
Congress should act on any anti
imitation issue now or consign the
whole problem to the regular ses-
sion starting in January.
Some House Republicans were
said to be peeved at Senator Taft
for bringing up the bill, similar in
some respects to measure which
died in the House Monday when
the required two-thirds majority re-
fused to consider it under gag
procedure blocking off all amend
ments.
These Republicans we're said to
feel the Democrats, who opposed
the take it or leave it" procedure
solidly, must take the most of blame
for failure to enact any legislation
and that Senator Taft was simply
lifting the opposing party off the
political hook. Hence there were
indications that, even If the Senate
should passathe bill today, it would
be bottled up in the House.
Installment Curbs Restored.
Earlier, the Senate had passed
and sent to the House a measure
which would restore Government
controls over installment buying
The controls expired last Novem-
ber /.
But Chairman Wolcotts of the
House Banking Committee said his
group won't be able to act on the
measure until January. It was evil
dent the House leadership had nc
desire to bring up a question that
threatened to split the Republican
ranks. Several COP lawmakers
have said they are opposed to new
restrictions on installment buying,
contending the effect is to deprive
low-income groups of a chance to
buy autos and other hard-to-get
goods.