Evening star., 1947-05-28
Coalition Wins
In First Test on
Farm Bill Cuts
House Votes Boost
Of s., SOC, 900 for
Marketing Research
By J. A. oLeory

The House farm bloc won a
victory over economy minded
Republicans today in its first at
tempt to restore cuts in the 1948
Agriculture Department appro-
priation bill.
A move by Representative Can.
non, Democrat. of Missouri. to In
crease the fund for research into
marketing methods from $4,000 900
to S9,500,000 was adopted by teller
vote Of lie to 100. Tellers were
demanded by COP leaders after the
amendment had been tentatively
approved on standing vote, SO
to So.
While the amount involved was
only $3,500,000 out of an overall
reduction of 1888, 400, 900 made by
the Appropriation Committee, It
demonstrated the strength of a
coalition in which nearly all Demo-
Gratis were joined by some of the
Republicans from agricultural States.
Final Vote Today Unlikely.
Earlier, Representative Anderson,
Republican, of Minnesota, failed In
an effort to make further cut of
$250,000 in the operating expenses
OF the Office of Secretary of Agri-
culture Anderson. In that case.
however, the Republican leadership
represented by Representative Dirk
sen, of Illinois, was against the fur
ther reduction.
Representative Anderson argued
that too much of the cutting had
been applied to the programs that
affect farmers directly and not
enough in the bureaus of the Agli-
culture Department.
Although Republican leaders con-
vened the House at 10 am. in the
hope of passing the bill. today, there
was considerable doubt they would
reach a final vote before tomorrow.
The farm bloc coalition failed
yesterday in the first test of
strength, when COP leaders put
through special rule, protecting
the cuts from points of order. The
roll call vote was 189 to ITO.
Two Amendments Sought.
On behalf of the House Agricul-
ture Committee. Chairman Hops
said he would offer today amend
ments to (a) restore $4,000 900
taken from the department by
Appropriations Committee action
and tb) eliminate requirement
that meat packers pay the bill for
Federal meat inspections.
The $l48, ,000, 900 Is what the de-
partment expected to receive from
its 80 per cent share of import
duties. Of this 100000, 600 would
have been used for soil conservation
payments, The Appropriations Com
mittee directed that the entire
amount go into the Treasury in
stead
Mr.. Hope acknowledged to report
ers that the chances of restoring the
full amount are dim" and said he
would be willing to compromise on
$48, ,000,0 900 to be earmarked for pro-
grams encouraging the use of surplus
perishable farm commodities.
Sao AAN " d<o lCoNy W 1lk1tb III IllS
finish for the meat inspection
amendment.
Democrats Back Proposals.
Democrats indicated yesterday they
would vote solidly for both of Mr..
Hopes proposals and for increases
in the allotment for the Federal
school lunch program and for soil
conservation payments.
All 149 of them on hand voted with
Mr.. Hope and 81 other Republicans
yesterday against procedure protect
ing the bill from technical objections
that would have meant certain ad-
dition of $183, 900, 900 to the bill.
The $805, 1856 bill is 80 per cent
below the Presidents budget re-
quests. The largest cuts were aimed
at the Soil Conservation Service,
the farm tenant loan program and
the school lunch project.