The people's voice., 1958-08-22
Repr. Leroy Anderson
Reports To You From
The Nations Capitol

this week has been in the throes OF
adjournment and developments are
fast breaking and uncertain from
hour to hour. On Monday, we had
35 bills, including some highly con-
troversial measures, called up for
consideration under the special rules
suspension" procedure which required
a two-thirds vote in each case.
Atomic Explosion-One day last
week was privileged to view one
of the most awesome spectacles ever
seen by man-an atomic explosion.
AS the ranking army reservist in
Congress, was invited by the De-
partment of the Army to view the
explosion of nuclear device within
the nose of a giant missile as it
roared skyward many, many miles
above the surface of the Pacific
Ocean. Because some of the knowl-
edge l gained is secret, I cannot re-
veal much about the matter at this
time. However, plan to report to
you on the worldwide significance
of this test and others which | shall
have witnessed, after receiving Sc
curity clearance from authorized of
ficials. The knowledge I have gained
will be of inestimable value in con-
gressional consideration of national
defense, as well as development of
peaceful uses of nuclear fission and
IN outer space exploration. Although
my life vocation has been that of
farmer-rancher in Montana, I have
found that my scientific training in
chemical engineering at Montana |
State College and California Tech is
low paying dividends in understand
ng of these massive developments in
his atomic age.
Tax Observation-Disclosures in ex-
Use taxes has been approved by
congress, including exemption of the
irst dollar of amusement tickets
rom tax; repeal retroactively the
0 per cent tax on club dues, initia-
ion fees and community swimming
ools; and various other changes in
xcise tax laws. 1 am hopeful that
/ the next session of Congress, leg
Station will be passed calling for
urther elimination of these war
me money raising expedients. This
ear we got rid of the excise tax on
of property, and major
oals next year will be the removal
such taxes on telephones, and on
of passengers.
Farm Legislation-During this Z
lrbulent week of Congress, it would
= difficult to anticipate with any '
the ultimate outcome of I
lrm legislation. AS 1 mentioned last S
eek, have been hopeful that some
'rm of farm measure would be en- c
tied to protect our Montana wool +
'owers from being placed in a posi- .
on where they would suffer severe S
sses and face drastic curtailment t
their industry next year, which o
light cause cessation of activities for a
ears to come. The House-adopted
rsion of the Farm Bill includes pro-
sion for extension of the Wool Act, q
I'd this | have strongly supported. e
Area Redevelopment-T House I, II
s passed the Area Redevelopment Z
II, on which my Committee on r,
lnking and Currency has held ex- y
nsive hearings and made a number a.
improvements. Included in both p
e House and Senate versions of the o %
! were its application to rural and =
dian reservation areas, project :
lich has had the continuous and :.
'ong backing of the Montana dele ~ ~
tion since the 84th Congress. Prior ~
its passage in the House, the bill 49,
S amended to reduce the loan fund " "
5000 millIIn and a new formula ~ ~
: fixing interest rate on loans was e si'
opted. AS my colleague, Represent -
We Lee Metcalf so ably pointed out -
ring the floor debate: Many Mon % %
la communities should be able to ~
alify under this bill, including a
tie, Kalispell and Great Falls. ~
tie is probably the most depressed
in the nation because of tn
crisis in the metal mining indus is
:" Indian reservations in general Pr
qualify for consideration under lie
Iaoic 1otion Tho Mor+ h or,, Hdo1, an