Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-18
Gas Bill Dead
For This Year,
Both Sides Say
President Praised
And AssoiIed for
Veto Of Measure
By JAMES Y. NEWTON

Both proponents and OPP
Iponents' agreed today the con-
troversial natural gas bill is dead
for this year. but President Ell
Isenhower's Endorsement Of It's
principles in his veto message
raised the possibility of a revival
Of the issue in a later Congress.
Mr.. Eisenhower based his veto
on what he described as "arro-
CANT" and highly questionable
activities" by some persons who
worked for passage of the bill.
He said these risk creating
doubt among the American
people concerning the integrity
of governmental processes"
But the President added there
is need for legislation conform
ling to the basic detectives"
sought in the measure. The bill
would have exempted producers
of natural gas from direct Fed
eral controls.
Praised and Assailed
Mr.. Eisenhower's action was
Ipraised as courageous" and
wise" by Republicans and DEM
locrats alike who fought the bill
and condemned with equal vigor
lby proponents both in and out
Iof Congress.
There were. meanwhile, these
other developments:
/. The Senate voted $4,000
flor subcommittee which is
planning a broad investigation
into any efforts by selfish in
Iterests" to influence legislation
lor elections improperly. The
group. headed by Senator Gore.
Democrat Of Tennessee. will look
into the gas bill fight among
Iother things.
2. E. J. Kahler, business man.
la2er Of the Sioux Falls IS. OAK
Argus2Leader. was subpoenaed
TO appear before a grand jury
here Monday. investigating cam
tpaign contributions.
Mr.. Kahler told q special Sen
ate investigating committee last
week that he seceived IS 500
bills from John Neff, Lexington,
Nebr.. attorney as a campaign
contribution to Senator Case,
Republican Of South Dakota. The
Senator said he declined the
money because 1t appeared TO
him it might have been INTENDED
to influence his vote on the gas
bill.
| Kerr Sees New Try
Senator Kerr. Democrat of Ok
| lahoma, sponsor of a similar
bill vetoed by former President
Truman in 1850. forecast an
other attempt will be made to
exempt gas producers from Fed
Ieral regulation IN the next Con-
gress.
Senator Mcnamara, Democrat
l0f Michigan. who opposed the
bill. praised Mr.. Eisenhower's
courage" but wired the Presi-
dent: II am afraid you are in
Iviting the gas lobby to try its
dirty work again. only more tact
fully. in its effort to rob the
American people"
Senator Kefauver. Democrat of
Tennessee. said in Winter Haven,
Fla, that the Presidents veto of
the gas bill was "a wise act and
in the public interest
IF the President would now
reverse his position on iva and
stop trying to destroy 1t and
Hell's Canyon and start support
ing rural identification, many Of
the give-away questions would be
answered" Senator Kefauver
added.
No Plans This Session
Both Senator Fulbright, Demo-
crat of Arkansas. and Represent
alive Harris, Democrat of
Arkansas. sponsors Of the legisla-
ton, said they have no plans for
a revised version in this session.
Chairman Priest OF the House
Commerce Committee, to which
the veto message will be referred
Monday. said he foresees mo at
tempt to override" Even staunch
proponents did not believe they
could muster the necessary two
thirds majority to override the
veto on either side of the Capitol.
See NATURAL GAS Pare 40