Evening star., 1961-07-26

Issue Slows
Farm Bill
By the Associated Press

An angry Senate argument
about granting farm co-opera-
tives additional exemption from |
antitrust laws has upset efforts |
of Senate leaders to pass quickly |
an omnibus farm bill.
Senator Kefauver. Democrat
of Tennessee, lost by a 57-39
vote that cut widely across
party lines an effort last night |
to knock out of the bill a pro-
vision which would permit two
or more cooperative associa-
tions to carry out joint pro-
grams now legal for them to do
alone.
Insisting he was a friend of
both farmers and their CO.
operatives, Senator Kefauver
contended that this provision
would encourage monopoly and
prevent prosecution of the CO.
operatives for obvious violations
of antitrust laws.
But Chairman Ellender of
the Senate Agriculture Com
mittee vigorously denied this.
Senator Ellender and other
hackers of the farmer co-opera-
tives said the section would
merely allow them to compete
with huge corporations.
Members of the Agriculture
Committee said Attorney Gen
eral Robert F. Kennedy had
supported the provision and
denied that it would prevent
the Justice Department from
acting against actual violations
of antitrust laws.
Attacks Provision
Senator Kefauver, holding
the floor for hours, said this
and another related provision
would permit the farmer CO.
operatives to restrict output,
divide up territories and Gus
toners, engage in boycotts and
black listing and conduct other
illegal operations.
II am unalterably opposed to
monopoly power, no matter
where it be found" Senator
Kefauver said.
With several other amend
ments still pending, Majority
Leader Mansfield won agree
ment to put off final action
until today under debate limi-
tation.
The Senate voted earlier,
under new prodding from
President Kennedy, for quick
action to help control surpluses
and rescue farmers out Of the
price-cut squeeze.
Meanwhile. the House Rules
Committee gave clearance for
House debate on a similar
measure starting today. One
member, Representative Latta,
Republican of Ohio, announced
he will try to amend the bill
to bar sale of United States
farm products to Communist
nations.
Wheat Vote Delay
In another development. Mr..
Kennedy signed an act delay
ing the annual vote by wheat
farmers on this years control
program from July 25 until
August 26. This was passed by
Congress because the omnibus
farm bill under consideration
includes new one-year reduc-
ton in wheat planting.
The White House made pub
tic Mr.. Kennedy's new prodding
in a letter to the chairmen Of
the House and Senate Agricul-
ture Committees.
Mr.. Kennedy said although
the bill omits some provisions
he had recommended, it never
the less is a very important and
constructive piece of farm legis-
lation.
He called for prompt ap-
proval of the 1862 wheat and
feed grain crops programs it
contains. He said early action
on the wheat program is es-
pecially needed so that pro-
duction can be reduced and
wheat carryovers cut substan-
TALLY in 1962-63.
The compromise bill was re-
written by the Senate Agricul-
ture Committee in an effort to
head off a bitter fight the
members feared might kill any
general farm legislation this
year. Eliminated were contro-
versial features sought by the
Kennedy administration.