Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-24

permitting the credit guaran-
tee If the President finds it is
in the national interest. He
must notify Congress within 80
days Of each such determine
ton.
In the closing hour of debate
this morning Democrats said
the position Of the new Presi-
dent in the eyes Of other ma
tons was at stake.
Representative Passm a n,
Democrat Of Louisiana, who has
spent eight years fighting to
reduce foreign aid funds, to-
day led administration forces
in urging the House to uphold
President johnson.
Mr.. Passman said Russia in
tends to pay Is per cent down
and the balance in Is months
for any wheat purchase. He
said he Is thoroughly convinced
that II this credit authority is
granted I'VE are going to get 50
billion in gold"
Mr.. PaSSman warned that If
the authority is not granted.
the United States will probably
give these surplus grains to
other countries that will sell
them to the Communists.
Challenges Passman
Representative Rhodes, Re-
publican of Arizona, challenged
Mr.. Passman, declaring no one
knows the detailed terms Of the
proposed wheat sale. He said
he did not know whether the
rs per cent down payment
would be Gin rubles or peanuts. T"
The oldest members Of the
House could not remember a
previous days session that be-
gan so early.
A quorum call was not neces-
sary because several hundred
members were on the floor,
anxious to end the deadlock
that has delayed a Christmas
recess since last Friday.
They plunged Immediately
into a final round of debate
on the controversial issue Of
having the Export Import Bank
guarantee credit to Communist
countries to enable them to buy
surplus American grains.
Representative Howard w.
Smith, Democrat of Virginia,
chairman Of the powerful Rules
Committee, lined up with the
Republicans in opposition to
such credit.
He said If the Russian peo-
pie were starving. every men,
Der Of the House would vote
to give them wheat. But he
said Russia is buying wheat all
over the world, selling its gold
to pay for 1t. land I want cash
on the barrel head"
He said he Is opposing credit
because the Russians have not
attempted to repay the $1l
billion Of goods and services
the United States furnished the
Soviet Union during World
War II.
World watching Leadership
House Democratic Leader
Albert of Oklahoma replied
that the real issue is whether
a new President is going to look
strong or weak in the eyes of
the rest of the world"
Mr.. Albert said the free
world is watching to see If Mr.
johnson is going to be a strong
leader, while Communist coun-
tries are watching to see II
they can create problems fol-
him.
At the start Of today's session
the newly elected Representa-
tive from President Johnson's
home district in Texas, j. J.
(Jake) Pickle presented him
self to be sworn in. His Gre
dentialS had not yet arrived,
but Republican Leader Halleck
said that If Mr.. Pickle had
come all the way to Washing
ton on Christmas eve, he
should be able to vote.
Mr.. Albert said the Re-
publican leaders charity was
appropriate to the season.
Another Texan, Democratic
Representative Casey, was one
of the first to speak against
the provision favored by the
White House. He said it is
tearing US up to oppose our
beloved President"
Urges Spirit Of Season
Representative Frances p
Bolton, Republican Of Ohio
said future generations cannot
be proud of what has beer