Evening star., 1951-01-11
Byrd Will Fight Move
In Senate TO Abandon
Omnibus Money Bill

Senator BYRD, Democrat, OF Viz
ginia, announced today he will
fight a move by other influential
Democratic Senators to abandon
the single-package plan of ap-
propriating for all Government
departments, which was tried for
the first time in 1850.
The Virginian, chairman of the
Joint Congressional Economy
Committee, will have a powerful
ally in Chairman Cannon of the
House Appropriations Committee,
who predicted last night his COM
mittee will adhere to the principle
of handling as much of the annual
Federal budget as possible in one
money bill.
The first sign that prominent
Democrats on the Senate Appro-
priations Committee will try to
go back to the old system of pass
ing a dozen departmental supply
bills came late yesterday. 1t de-
veloped when the new Majority
Leader, Senator Mcfarland of Ari-
zona, called a conference of the
Democratic chairmen of all regular
committees to plan how they will
handle the 1851 legislative pro-
gram.
Omnibus Bill Opposed.
No formal vote was taken, but
Senator Mcfarland said it was
the consensus that the old ap-
propriating system should be re-
vised. Chairman Mcclellan of
the Senate Appropriations Com
mittee said he favors the old
system. He said he gave the
omnibus bill a fair trial last year
land it did not work" His chief
complaint was that it delayed
Senate action on the budget until
the fall of the year.
Senator Byrd challenged the
claim the omnibus bill was a
failure. asserting that it resulted
in saving So billion. He said it
was the first time in 18 years
that Congress succeeded in cut
ting the estimates submitted by
the executive branch.
The Vlrginian also pointed out
that before the House ~inaugurated
the omnibus bill last year, the
Senate passed a joint resolution
approving the new system. He
said he does not believe the Sem
ate will reverse itself.
Senator Mcfarland told re-
porters he would be guided by the
recommendation of the Senate
Appropriations Committee on the
issue.
Two Bills Needed.
Representative Cannon revealed
that there will have to be two
appropriation bills in 1851, one for
the regular domestic activities of
the Government and the other for
the defense program, because the
military budget will not be ready
until April.
Even with the omnibus bill, the
last Congress had to pass two sep
arate supplemental defense bills,
but supporters of the new system
pointed out that was due to the
fighting in Korea and the tense
international situation.
Mr.. Cannon said he believes the
House Appropriations Committee
will stick to the principle of COM
bining all of the normal operating
expenses of the Government de-
partments in one bill. despite the
need for separate defense bills
growing out of the emergency.
The question will face it's first
test when the House committee
organizes. as soon as committee
vacancies are filled. The House
committee is being enlarged this
year from IS to so members by the
addition OF three Democrats and
two Republicans.
Deadlock Possible.
If the House committee goes
along with Chairman Cannon, the
House will have the upper hand
because, as Mr.. Cannon pointed
out. money bills originate in the
House.
Senator Mcfarland was asked
what would happen If the House
sends an omnibus bill to the Sen
ate again this year. He said the
Senators who favored returning to
the old system indicated at his
conference, yesterday that they
would meet that issue when it
arises.
If the Senate committee, in such
situation, decided to bring out
series of separate departmental
bills the stage might be set for a
long deadlock.
Mr.. Cannon said he believes he
can get an omnibus budget bill,
covering everything except the
military program, through the
House by Easter.