Evening star., 1947-03-08
Taft Accuses
Democrats OF
Delay Tactics
Threatens to Ask for
Sessions Both Day and
Night to Speed Work
BY J. A. OLeory

SildlItildu 1dlC OF LQe senate
Republican Policy Committee
today threatened to ask for ses-
sions every day and every night"
to speed the Republicans legis-
lative program. He suggested
this possibility after asserting he
had detected some inclination
on the part of the minority to
delay proceedings"
The Republicans have been ex-
perimenting with three-dsy week
on the Senate floor to leave more
time for committee work. The lead.
ership decided some time ago to
begin holding Monday and Wednes-
day night sessions next week to
avoid meeting on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
Senate Republicans to Meet.
Next Monday nights session has
been called off, however, to make
way for conference of all 81 SEN
ate Republicans to discuss rent con.
troll and foreign policy, Senator Taft
revealed after the Policy Committee
met today to discuss what he de-
scribed as "a wide difference Of
opinion" over extension of rent
controls.
Senator Taft's threat of more
sessions came as Senator Baldwin,
Republican, of Connecticut called
for a unity conference between
Republican Senators and Nation
al Committee Chairman Carroll
Reece to speed the party's legisla-
tive program.
Senator Baldwin, a leader in the
demands of 16 COP freshmen for
greater voice in party conferences,
explained his views in a letter to
Mr.. Reece March 5. copies of which
became available today. Mr.. Reece's
secretary said the chairman would
answer when he returns from q
Western speaking tour.
Budget Resolution Cited.
Pressed for details on his charge
of Democratic delays, Senator Taft
mentioned only the recent budget
ceiling resolution. He said there
seemed to be an unnecessary amount
of debate on that issue.
Senator Taft's statement today
was construed In some quarters as
reaction to recent criticism of the
headway made thus far in the new
Republican Congress.
Senator Taft said the Policy Com.
mittee decided today to ask Chair
man Vandenberg of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee to give
the Republican Congress q general
background talk on foreign affairs
Monday night. This will follow the
conference President Truman has
called for Monday morning with
leaders of both parties.
Rent Control Up Monday.
Senator Taft said the Republican
conference also will take up Monday
night the problem of how far to 60
in extending rent control quickly in
view of the likelihood that OPA will
be liquidated between now and June
80, with reduced appropriations in
the urgent deficiency bills.
Outlining the questions to be dis
cussed at later meetings, Senator
Taft said that as soon as the Senate
Labor Committee completes its hear
ings, he will ask for conference on
labor disputes legislation.
Later there will be a conference
on the reciprocal trade agreements
program.
Senator Taft told a reporter he
doesn't know whether there will
be any fixed Republican policy on
rent controls.
The Senate Banking COMMITTEES
has returned to subcommittee
headed by Senator Buck, Republic
can, of Delaware q measure which
would continue controls until De-
cember 81, but transfer them from
OPA to the courts, increase rents
10 per cent and free new housing
from controls.
| Opposes Some Increases.
Senator Taft said his own opin-
ion is that any rent increases
ought to be based on the merits of
individual cases.
There are some cases where the
landlord undoubtedly has had in
creased costs and deserves an in.
| (See REPUBL loans. Page A-4)