Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-02
House Nearing
Ro|I-CaII Vote
On Farm Props
Confidence Voiced
By Both Sides on
Compromise Plan
By Robert K. Welsh

House neared a roll call today
on whether to uphold a tentative
compromise" vote against
mandatory farm price supports
at 80 per cent Of parity.
Republican leaders predicted
that yesterdays teller vote of
ITO to 1874 would be sustained.
They conceded, however. that
they might lose a few members
either by absenteeism or un-
willingness to go on record on a
roll call.
Democratic leaders said they
we're equally confident that roll
call would reverse what they de-
Scribed as "a surprising develop
ment." Both sides hoped for a
final vote on the bill itself this
afternoon to send the measure to
the Senate before the long holi-
day week end.
The uncertain COMPROMISE"
amendment would provide for
price supports on six basic farm
crops of between 82h and 80 per
cent OF parity. This was backed
by Republican leaders as a COM
promise between the Eisenhower
administration request for flex-
ible supports at rs to 80 per cent
OF parity and the drive by House
forces. mostly Democrats, to con-
tinue for another year the man
datory rigid farm price supports
at 80 per cent of parity. It was.
proposed by Representative Har-
rison. Republican, of Nebraska.
Wheat Plan Defeated.
Before reaching the roll-call
stage the House today took UP
more than a dozen other pro-
posed amendments. most of them
comparatively non-controversial.
A voice-vote majority defeated q
move by Representative Ford.
Republican. of Michigan to strike
the farm bills provision for a
tWo-price plan" for wheat.
Mr.. Ford commended that the
plan would ultimately increase
the price of bread. Under the
two-price plan. wheat producers
would receive the equivalent Of
the full parity price for that
portion of their wheat crop that
is consumed domestically. They
also would receive the prevailing
market price for the balance Of
their wheat production.
Before the vote on the Harri-
son amendment. an overwhelm-
ingly loud voice vote yes
terday rejected a substitute
amendment proposed by Rep
reSentative Heseltop. Republic
can, of Massachusetts,. This
was substantially in line with the
position of Gen. Eisenhower and
of Agriculture Benson
and called for sliding scale Of
farm price supports based on
Is to 80 per cent of parity.
Halleck Backs Amendment.
Republican Floor Leader Hal
leck of Indiana wound up debate |
on the price supports section of |
the bill by defending the Harri- |
son amendment. He declared |
that well take the political re-
sponsibility" if it failed to work |
to the best interests of the farm
erS, the country. and the world. |
He explained that the Harri-
son amendment eliminates the
30 per cent of parity require
ment. re-estabnshes the policy |
of fexibility and sets a reason
able minimum level below which |
we cannot go during the coming |
year."
He denied that Gen. Eisen-
hover ever proposed Ito pull the |
rug out from under farm prices"
He said Gen. Eisenhower has
that he favors a
gradual move away from high
rigid farm price supports which |
pile up huge SURPRISES costing
the Government millions of dol
lars.
Democratic Leader Rayburn.
calling for continuance of the
high supports program in the
interest of all Segments Of the
national economy. protested that |
you can't kill this thing just q |
little by an 1914 per cent figure.''