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8634. CONGRESSIO~AL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 Robert T. Sweeney George F. Waters, Jr. · John T. Schneider, Lebanon. Robert Y. Stratton John A. White Fred J. Hepperle, Leola. Robert D. Taplett Elliott Wilson Sylvester C. Eisenman, Marty. Harry W. Taylor John Winterholler Michael P. Garvey, Milbank. Eugene N. Thompson Herbert F. Woodbury Charles P. Corcoran, Miller. Robert J. Trulaske Alexander M. Worth, Jr. Michael F. McGrath, Morristown. Walton L. Turner Richard W. Wyczawsk:i Arthur A. Kluckman, Mound City. Clarence E. Van Ray Howard A. York John Loesch, Oldham. Charles E. Warren Olga R. Otis, Pierpont. POSTMASTERS Harry F. Evers, Pukwana. Harvey J. Seim, Revillo. KENTUCKY Albert H. Fogel, Rosholt. Henry Roe Thompson Kinnaird, Edmonton. Leroy F. Lemert, Spencer. Raymond E. Doyle, Park City. Agnes Parker, Timber Lake. LOUISIANA William A. Bauman, Vermillion. Henry H. Sample, Lecompte. Rose Cole Hoyer, Wagner. NEBRASKA Clarence J. LaBarge, Wakonda. Leo F. Craney, Watertown. James A. Gunn, Ponca. Marion Peterson, Waubay. Robert Harold O'Kane, Wood River. Frank D. Fitch, Wessington. NEVADA Frank B. Kargleder, White Rock. Isaac L. Stone, McGill. Edd A. Sinkler, Wood. Effie M. Perry, Yerington. NORTH CAROLINA John G. Kennedy, Beulaville. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Robert A. Watson, Sr., Jonesboro. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1940 Parley Potter, Magnolia. . The House met at 12 o'clock noon, and was called to order Robert L. Mattocks, Maysville. by the Speaker. Karl M. Cook, Mount Pleasant. The Chaplain, Rev. James Shera Montgomery, D. D., offered Lacy F. Clark, Raeford. the following prayer: James B. Hayes, Rocky Point. Murphy Lee Carr, Rosehill. Almighty God, who dwellest in the beauty and glory of in Lucile L. White, Salemburg. finite holiness, we draw nigh to Thee as our merciful, Heav Roger Mills Laughridge, Shelby. enly Father. So regard us that our minds shall be awake to Harry E. Smith, Vanceboro. strong and impelling desire for righteousness and peace. 0 Lord God, there is a shudder in the world, which makes it OHIO quiver to its foundation. Countless numbers of mankind are Earl C. Stiwald, Amherst. being bound by the chains of stalking, petrified hearts of con Robert B. Maddock, College Corn~r; quest as they face the vast, all-engulfing abyss of terror. Howard C. Whitmire, Delta. Stay Thou the foaming teeth of war with death in their jaws Ludwig Ries, Jr., Dennison. as they blaspheme the name ot God anct defame the souls of Terrence B. King, Deshler. men. 0 loving Father, have mercy, have mercy as the mul Paul E. Harbaugh, Kings Mills. titudes of the crippled, the sightless, and the fatherless are Allen E. Owens, Kinsman. driven before the wild flames of murder to their unknown Homer P. Galloway, Lore City. graves. We pray Thee to strengthen our mighty hopes that Elmyra L. Griswold, Macedonia. make us Thy childran; direct our country in every good work Frederick H. Kramer, Millersport. and bless all our institutions which mark the aspirations of a Marguerite E. Martin, Monroeville. free people; pity us in our weaknesses; restrain us in our Fred E. Surgen, Murray City. · tendencies; be at our side when the way is unsafe. In the Alvie F. Jones, North Jackson. name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Ansel C. Bidlack, Oakwood. John H. H. Welsch, Port Washington. The Journal of the proceedings of yesterday was read and Glenn D. Keeney, Rock Creek. approved. Chester A. Hostetler. Strasburg. MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE Samuel A. Smith, Sugarcreek. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Frazier, its legislative John E. Reichard, Willshire. clerk, announced that the Senate agrees to the report of SOUTH DAKOTA the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the Edward Lee McMahon, Beresford. two Houses on the amendments of the Senate to the bill James T. Homme, Bison. (H. R. 8668) entitled "An act making appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, for civil functions admin Theodore G. Weiland, Bridgewater. istered by the War Department, and for other purposes." Herbert C. Hagen, Britton. The message also announced that the Senate agrees to Loyal H. McKnight, Bruce. the amendments of the House to a bill of the Senate of the Charles Gordon Finley, Bryant. following title: Winfield C. Clark, Canistota. . S. 2059. An act authorizing a grant to the city of Fargo, Violet Ellefson, Castlewood. N.Dak., of an easement in connection with the construction Ralph L. Chambers, Clear Lake. John R. Knapp, Colome. of water and sewer systems. Helen M. Himebaugh, Custer. THE HONORABLE EDWARD T. TAYLOR, OF COLORADO Alva I. Addy, Dallas. Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to Hollis M. Hill, De Smet. address the House briefly. Thomas H. Ryan,' Elk Point. The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the Joseph A. Conlon, Faulkton. gentleman from Indiana [Mr. LUDLOW]? Ernest F. Heuer, Florence. There was no objection. Albert A. Schmidt, Freeman. The SPEAKER. The Chair thinks it is proper to say that Clyde V. Hill, Highmore. under the circumstances presented this morning by the Sebastian A. Archer, Lake Preston. gentleman from Indiana and others, by agreement of the 1940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8635 majority and minority leaders, it might be proper to waive the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. LUDLOW] has just now ex the 1-minute rule for the time being. pressed far better than could I his affection and esteem for Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Speaker, fourscore and two years ago Mr. TAYLOR, which I believe is shared by every Member of the there was born in the State of lliinois a man who is hon House. ored and loved by every Member of this House. Represen There is an interesting coincidence in age between the tative EDWARD T. TAYLOR, chairman of the Committee on city of Denver, which I have the honor to represent, and Appropriations, is passing his eighty-second milestone today Mr. TAYLOR. [applause] with his head erect and his heart warm with love EDWARD THoMAs TAYLOR was born near Metamora, Wood for his country, which he has served with a full measure of ford County, Ill., June 19, 1858. devotion over a period of nearly 60 years. [Applause.] In the summer or autumn of 1858, the Russell brothers It is not my purpose on this occasion to present a minute who bad gained experience in placer mining in California, biographical recital of the distinguished career and notable led a party of Georgians to Cherry Creek, the confluence of achievements of our friend-everybody's friend-from Colo which with the South Platte River is now in the heart of rado. To essay that task and do justice to it would require Denver. They found "colors" of gold all along Cherry Creek a long time instead of a brief minute or two. He has the and along other streams tributary to the South Platte. The perfectly amazing record of having run for public office 21 party remained throughout that fall and winter in what was times, of having had no opposition for the nomination any then vaguely known as "the Pikes Peak region," although time he ran, and of being elected every time he ran. [Ap Pikes Peak rises 75 miles to the south of where Cherry Creek plause.] Out in the rugged frontier country his sterling flows into the South Platte. The Russell party, joined by qualities, even in his youth, created a demand for his serv others, continued their prospecting up other tributaries of ices as adviser, arbiter, and administrator, so that public the South Platte and the following spring found lode de office came to him naturally, and it has remained with him posits of gold in place. These discoveries started the "Pikes · continuously. As principal of schools, superintendent of Peak or bust" gold rush of 1859, in which many were schools, deputy district attorney, district attorney, and State "busted" but which resulted in the permanent settlement of senator for 12 years his name was a household word through Denver and of. Cqlorado. • out the West long before he was elected to Congress in 1909. Denver, named after James W. Denver, the Governor of the He had reached the half-century turn when he came to Territory of Kansas-which then included one-third of what Washington. No other person in the history of the Re is now Colorado-was commenced in October 1858, 4 months public has had such an extended congressional career after after EDWARD T. TAYLOR was born in Illinois. reaching the age of 50. During more than three decades of - So it happens that the city of Denver, with its 318,000 congressional service Mr. TAYLOR's practical wisdom has people within its corporate limits, and about forty or fifty been a national asset, which is reflected in many of the laws thousand in its immediately contiguous suburbs, is only about now n the statute books. Of the 8,300 Members of the· 4 months younger than Mr. TAYLOR. House since the first session of the Flrst Congress, only 6 During Mr. TAYLOR's first three terms in the House-Sixty others have been elected 16 successive times: Bingham and first to Sixty-third Congresses, 1909 to 1915-he was the Butler, of Pennsylvania; Gillette, of Massachusetts; Pou, of Congressman at large from Colorado and, as such, was a North Carolina; Haugen, of Iowa; and Sabath, of Illinois, Representative of the city of Denver as well as of all other all of whom entered Congress much younger than Mr. TAY parts of our State. He has always been a great influential LOR. Our friend has served in Con~ess under 6 Presi friend of Denver as well as of Colorado and the entire West, dents and 8 Speakers, and one would judge from his vigor and we all appreciate him and love him. and enthusiasm that his career is just beginning. [Ap I am sure I can speak for all the people of Denver when plause.] The universal confidence which people have in his I say that we are very proud, not· only of our splendid city, honesty, ability, and fairness has been demonstrated by young in spirit, but also in the outstanding Representative, almost innumerable calls to him to preside over conven also young in spirit, who has so ably represented in this tions, groups, and assemblages of various kinds and descrip House, Denver, Colo., the West and, in fact, the entire tions, and he has a remarkable collection of gavels, 80 in Nation, during more than 31 years. [Applause.] number, that have been presented to him from time to time Mr. MURDOCK of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous in token of appreciation of his services and the righteous consent to proceed for 1 minute. ness of his decisions as a presiding officer. These instru The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the ments, designed for peace and order, have come from all gentleman from Utah [Mr. MURDOCK]? over the country and indicate a wide range of fancy in the There was no objection. selection of materials, from bone to wood and metal, and Mr. MURDOCK of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I cannot refrain from featherweight to a heaviness that would put a strain from saying just a word or two in the way of tribute to my on the muscles of a prize fighter. distinguished friend the gentleman from Co!orado, EDWARD T. Those of us who sit by Mr. TAYLOR's side day by day on TAYLOR, that sterling statesman from the western slope of the the Committee on Appropriations know that his is a face Rockies on this his eighty-second anniversary. It is not rare that cloaks no dissimulation. I never knew a man who in this day and age for youth to render distinguished service; could say "No" with more emphasis. He hates sham and for men in middle life it is expected; but when one can boast fraud and is merciless in tearing away the mask of deceit. of a half century of distinguished service to his State and But with his stern adherence to principles of honesty and country it is an adornment that attaches to very few, and espe right dealing he has a heart of gold that beats in rhythm cially when that service is still being carried on in the vigorous with the heartbeats of 130,000,000 people, and I guess that is style so typical of the gentleman from Colorado, ED TAYLOR. one of the reasons why we all love him. I know that I speak Years seem only kind to him. Notwithstanding their load, the sentiments of all of the members of our committee and they have in no way impaired his dignity or bearing; his all of the Members of the House, and of millions of the genia-l disposition and charming personality have only been people of the United States, when I wish him many, many mellowed by their number. To the love of and the high happy returns of this day. [Applause, the Members rising.] esteem in which he is held by his colleagues each year of his Mr. LEWIS of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous long and distinguished service in this body has added greatly. consent to proceed for 1 minute. To me he permanently endeared himself when as a new Mem The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the ber in March 1933 I came to him for advice and counsel. His gentleman from Colorado [Mr. LEWIS]? response was so warm and cordial, so encouraging, that I felt Mr. LEWIS of Colo·rado. Mr. Speaker, I had looked for here is a genuine friend, one to whom I can tie and always ward to calling briefly to the attention of the House today depend on for advice. I have sought him out often since that the fact that our beloved colleague, the dean of the Colorado time nearly, 8 years ago, when troubled with legislative prob delegation [Mr. TAYLOR], was 82 years young this morning. lems and when in need of help. He has never failed to be But, without my knowing of it in advance, our good friend cooilerative and helpful. 8636 ~ coNGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 In 1935, 5 years ago today, the distinguished lady from virility and a superabundance of useful and beneficial knowl Arizona, Mrs. Isabella Greenway, a former Member of. this edge, constantly being exercised, excelled by none and body, was entertaining a few Members from the West in equaled by few. honor of the distinguished gentleman from Colorado. We all The gentleman from Colorado [Mr. TAYLOR] is today had our glasses poised ready to drink one to the health of the observing his eighty-second anniversary, and I am sure this distinguished guest of honor when our hostess pointed to me evening will be enjoyed by him with his gracious and af and commanded a toast to Ed. Almost spontaneously I fectionate spouse. He was fortunate in the beginning, in responded, and with your leave I will now repeat the toast I that he was born in my own State of Illinois. proposed on that occasion: My colleague the gentleman from Tilinois [Mr. DIRKSEN] Here's to Eo TAYLOR, a real son of the West, has said he is surprised that the gentleman from Colorado As a Member of Congress, he's right at his best; [Mr. TAYLOR], having been born in Illinois, is not a Repub To his country he's given the best that he's had, lican. I am, however, not surprised. The gentleman from And to new western Members he's been a real dad. Colorado, ED TAYLOR, always has had a great deal of com I am sure all my colleagues from the West joined on that mon sense and has always desired to serve the country to occasion in my toast and join me today in wishing Ed many the utmost of his ability, and therefore he became and has happy returns of the day. ever remained a Democrat. [Laughter and applause.] Mr. DIRKSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to I need not tell the membership of the House, especially proceed for 1 minute. the older Members, that the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the TAYLOR] is the author of more sound and progressive legis gentleman from Illinois [Mr. DIRKSEN]? lation affecting the western part of the United States, with There was no objection. special reference to mining, public lands, public parks, irri Mr. DIRKSEN. Mr. Speaker, our beloved colleague, ED gation, and water rights, than any other Member of Con WARD T. TAYLOR, was born in Woodford County, Ill., which ·is gress, past or present. Even to this good day he, the in the district of Congressman 1\RENDS and adjoins my own chairman of the powerful Committee on Appropriations, is district. · chairman of the appropriations subcommittee having to do with the Interior Department. It is rather interesting to reflect for a moment on the fact that he was born in 1858, which was 2 years before the Repub Mr. TAYLOR's long line of worthy and important achieve licans nominated Abraham Lincoln in the great wigwam con ments in this body is, aside from his personal charm, his vention in Chicago. In a way I am a little surprised that Mr. greatest assurance of grateful remembrance. He is not known as one who has amassed much money, TAYLOR did not turn out to be a Republican rather than a because he has spent most of his busy life in the public service. Democrat. · Educator, lawyer, district attorney, State senator, and, It is interesting to reflect also in the light of the observance lastly, 16 times elected a Member of this body, our friend has we had here in March 1939 when we observed the one hun led a very busy and useful life. It is worthy of note that dred and fiftieth anniversary of the launching of this Gov only 4 Members within the life of the American Congress ernment under the Constitution that if you took two lifetimes have served continuously longer than the gentleman from the equivalent of our great colleague, it would more than span Colorado [Mr. TAYLOR]. Think of such a singular testimonial the life of the Republic. He probably remembers from read and honor. ing the front pages of the newspapers in those contemporary Credit for our friend still being here, to carry on with char periods of the surrender of the sword at Appomattox, and acteristic zeal and enthusiasm his onerous and important building of the Brooklyn Bridge. He no doubt recalls the mas duties, is not entirely his. I have the pleasure, the honor, sacre of the forces of General Custer on the Little Big Horn; and the distinction of knowing personally the good· one who a subject on which our friend, Mr. BuRDICK, is an authority. quite largely makes it possible for him to still be with us. I His lifetime comes down through Presidents Garfield, Arthur, do not know any more affectionate and agreeable couple that Cleveland, Roosevelt, Wilson, Taft, Harding, Coolidge, and all has set a better example for happy and contented American the rest, and it stimulates one to think some of the philosophy life than the gentleman from Colorado;ED TAYLOR, and his of Lin Yuteng, the Chinese·philosopher, who spoke of families beloved wife, who is one of the most charming women it ever and of nations as a sort of endless stream of life. Mr. TAYLOR has been my fortune to meet. [Applause.] Many years ago, has lived so long and so intimately with so much of the his when the tempo of American life was calmer, we lived at the toric and epochal events which constitute the pattern of our same hotel. Mrs. Taylor, as general manager of the Taylor Republic's history that he can be truly regarded as an in household, is entitled to very considerable credit for the tegral part of the endless lifestream of the Nation. I like blessed fact that we have the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. to think of Mr. TAYLOR as a Member of this body making a TAYLOR] with US. great contribution to the welfare of the Republic, moving on Ed, knowing you so well, and valuing your character so and on and on down the corridor of time as an integral part highly, I know that the entire membership of the House, irre of the history of this country. What a pleasure it is, there spective of political affiliations, joins me in the confident hope fore, to serve with him. that we may continue to have your wise counsel and pleasing Mr. TAYLOR, I think I speak for the good folks out in central personality for many, many years. Illinois when I do honor to you today, coming as you have from The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman Woodford County before you went to Colorado. You will re from North Carolina [Mr. DouGHTONJ. call that in Metamor.a, the county seat of Woodford County, Mr. DOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I have listened with deep there stands today a memorial courthouse where Lincoln prac interest and genuine appreciation to the very high tributes ticed law and where he made speeches. You come from a very that have been paid to the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. historic and celebrated spot. So, in the name of the good TAYLOR] by those who have preceded me. The gentleman people in that area of Illinois, all power, all honor, long life, from Colorado [Mr. TAYLOR] preceded me in entering upon and contentment to you. [Applause.] service in this House by 2 years. The gentleman from Dli The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman nois [Mr. SABATH], who has just preceded me on this floor, from Illinois [Mr. SABATH]. had been here 4 years, or two terms, when I came here. Mr. SABATH. Mr. Speaker, I have served here with our While they both preceded me in their service, which has been friend the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. TAYLOR] longer long and distinguished, I trust that I may precede them in than any other Member; and during that time I frequently retirement from this body by at least 20 years. I sincerely have said that it has been a real pleasure to serve with a trust that the gentleman from Colorado, ED TAYLOR, may great variety of Members, but I want to emphasize as have many, many years of useful service yet in this body, strongly as I can that I have never served with a finer, in which he has served so faithfully and with such outstand nobler soul than the gentleman from Colorado, ED TAYLOR. ing distinction not only to his district but to his State and It is indeed gratifying that he is still with us, with sustaining to the Nation. · 1940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8637/ I am sure I voice the feelings of every Member of this first came to Congress on March 4, 1909, the day President House on both sides of the aisle when I say that the gentle Theodore Roosevelt retired and President Taft was man from Colorado, En TAYLOR, possesses to the highest inaugurated. degree the respect, the admiration, and the genuine affec At that time Uncle Joe Cannon was Speaker of the House. tion of every Member of this body, I sincerely trust that He and James Tawney, of Minnesota, the chairman of the he will have many more years of useful service here and Appropriations Committee, and Walter I. Smith, of Council may remain as virile and alert in both mind and body as he Blutt:s, Iowa, constituted kind of a steering committee that is today. I know that those who have served with him fully practically handled the whole show. They certainly were appreciate his high character, his genuine ability, his pa boss of the situation. They appointed all the Members to triotism, and his almost unequalled service in this body. all the committees. They did not permit the Democrats to [Applause.] say anything about it. They put us wherever they pleased. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I feel it a high It was a common saying that if Uncle Joe took any special honor to be permitted to join several other colleagues in pay dislike to any Democrat he would put him on the Committee ing tribute, on this, his birthday anniversary, to our distin on the Disposition of Useless Executive Papers. guished chairman, the gentleman from Colorado, Hon. En I was told the only way I could get on a committee was to TAYLOR. To those of us who have been so closely associated go and see Uncle Joe, which I did. I was not permitted to with him for the past several years in our labors together on see him for 2 or 3 days, but I finally got into his office. I the Committee on Appropriations it is difficult to believe that remember it very vividly. He was reading a newspaper. I our beloved chairman has today reached the ripe age of 82 spoke to him and told him my name and that I had been years. To those of us who work with him and know of his elected Congressman at Large from the State of Colorado, indefatigable energy, his extraordinary pluck, his quick wit, and that I would like to have him appoint me as a member and keen mind he is everything but an old man. The fact of the Committee on the PUblic Lands. He glanced at me, is, any of the much younger Members who should try to fol then went on reading his paper. I told him briefly that I low him during a day's work would be forced to the conclusion thought I could be of more service to my constituents and that he is getting younger and a lot spryer as the days go by. to the House on that committee than any· other, and asked [Applause.] him if it would be agreeable to him to make that assignment. It might be surprising to those who are not Members of He turned and looked at me and said, "Where did you say this body that the 40 members of the Appropriations Com you came from?" I told him from Colorado. He said, "I mittee almost invariably refer to our devoted chairman af won't let you go on that committee. You western fellows fectionately as Ed, and he calls each of us by our given would steal everything the Government has out there for names. This is true not only of members of our committee, your States, or something or other, and you cannot go on but many Members of both Houses of Congress speak of our that committee." He continued reading his paper and I chairman only as Ed. went out. I felt very much disappointed and dejected. I · As chairman of the Appropriations Committee he does not asked a number of the boys what I could do about it, and use any high-powered or slave-driving tactics. En TAYLOR they said I could not do anything, because Uncle Joe Cannon not only. takes his services in Congress seriously but he also and Tawney and Smith were the boss of the whole show. takes the Members into his confidence, talks to them frankly I did as I usually do, and spoke to my wife about it. She and openly concerning the various problems facing the Na asked if Walter Smith came from Council Bluffs, Iowa. She tion. Not only is it true that he does not attempt to drive said that she and Mr. Smith and his wife were schoolmates members of his committee, but he respects the views of all for many years in the Council Bluffs High School, and that members as well as others, but takes orders from no one. I should speak to him. I did so. Judge Smith said, "I don't Chairman TAYLOR also enjoys the distinction of having know you, Mr. TAYLOR, but if you are the husband of Etta served some 32 successive years in Congress. It is a compli Taber, I will put you on that committee," and be did. That ment to him that the good people of Colorado appreciate was the only time that I got the better of Uncle Joe. him and his invaluable services so much that he has never While he ruled with an iron hand, I always had a profound had opposition in the primaries, and those who have op admiration for him. He was a great watchdog of the Treas posed him in the general elections during ·those 32 years ury.· He is entitled to the credit of saving many millions have never been able to get to first base. [Applause.] of dollars ·to the taxpayers of our country. I think the last En TAYLOR has long been, and is now, a distinct credit to thing he ever said on the floor of this House ought to be his ovim State of Colorado, and his long public record of remembered I do not recall that it has ever been published. useful service has been a blessing to the Nation. The public He became quite frail in his later years. measures sponsored, as well as the many kindly deeds of this One day he came on the floor of the House when we were quiet, unassuming gentleman, whose birthday anniversary considering an appropriation bill. A Member from Minne we pause here in our deliberations to celebrate, will live on sota offered an amendment to insert an item of $25,000 for and on for many years with undiminished power. something in his district. He made a vigorous speech in The Congress of the United States and the Nation need behalf of it, saying he hoped the House would unanimously more men who have ·the high sense or' duty, moral courage, accept it. Uncle Joe got up and said, "Mr. Speaker, in view and intellectual honesty of this statesman and Christian gen of the fact that we are trying to economize and keep this tleman from Colorado, EDWARD T. TAYLOR. appropriation bill down to a reasonable figure, I feel that no The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman amendment should be accepted unless it is for something· from Colorado [Mr. TAYLOR]. that is not only necessary but very urgent. I don't look Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues in the upon this offered amendment as of that character and I House, I doubt if any of you younger people can fully realize hope it will not be accepted by the House." The Minnesota my genuine appreciation of your most cordial greeting. I Member said very loudly and pompously, "Mr. Speaker, I feel profoundly grateful for your most kind and . generous look upon this matter differently than the distinguished expressions of good will and congratulations. It is really gentleman from Tilinois." Uncle Joe Cannon arose and said, an inspiration to me to receive such a friendly recognition "Yes, Mr. Speaker, I have often noticed that some people on my eighty-second birthday, and I thank all of you from always look at everything through their· own gimlet hole." the bottom of my heart. [Laughter .J The House cheered and that settled that I have heard it said that some people are young and amendment. unfortunately are not youthful, while others happily are old I feel that would be a good motto to paste up somewhere and are not aged. I have always hoped that I would around here-to not look at everything through your own remain in this latter class during recent years and for what gimlet hole. ever time may still be allotted to me. The first bill I introduced when I came to Congress was On this memorable occasion I am, I guess, naturally in a to remove the Capitol to my beautiful little home city of reminiscent frame of mind. I thinlt back today to when I Glenwood Springs, Colo. It provided for a summer home for 8638 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-· HOUSE JUNE 19 the President and his staff in our cool mountain climate. I hope the youngest Member of this House, the gentleman While I never obtained ariy favorable action, I have ever from Texas [Mr. BECKWORTH], or some other Member, will since felt that it would be a good idea for the President and carry on this torch for the next 35 years, and be the symbol of his immediate staff to have a cool resort of that kind during the oncoming generation after I have retired from this body. the summer season in Washington. My long and consecutive legislative experience, including The first bill I ever passed through the House authorized 12 years in the Colorado State Senate and nearly 32 years the ranchmen in southwestern Colorado to take coal ~rom in Congress, covers. the widest possible field of legislative ex public domain for their domestic purposes. It was vetoed by perience, which I will not mention. But, I feel like adding President Taft, which was a great disappointment to me. that I think one of the mottoes of what success I have ob I remembered that Jim Tawney, of Minnesota, had a tained may be the fact that I have long since learned never brother living in my home county and I had been his attorney to attempt the impossible and to always cooperate with the for several years. It seems he had written to his brother inevitable. That sentiment has been helpful to me many telling him if he could ever be of service to this new Demo times and I hope it may be helpful to you. cratic Congressman from Colorado, he wanted him to do so. In the appalling crisis now existing in the world, when our When I spoke to Tawney about the matter he said he would country is threatened, and -the liberty, freedom, and civiliza be very glad to take care of it for me. tion on this planet are in tragic jeopardy, I feel that, regard A few days after that he reported out and passed through less of politics, we should quite largely put aside politics and the House one of the large appropriation bills, which con think only of our country and the people of the world who tained the identical language of my bill. The bill went to are being subjugated. the White House with that language, and because of the fact I believe that we Members sitting on the floor of this that the President has no power to veto an item in an ap body, knowing conditions as we do, and the tempers and propriation bill, President Taft was compelled to sign the moods of each other, that we can serve our country much bill containing the exact language he had vetoed about 10 better than any new group of new Members. days before. For that reason I say to the House frankly that I hope the That calls to my mind a matter I have mentioned before entire Membership of this body may be reelected this coming on the floor of this House several times, and I want to men fall. I thank you all. [Applause, the Members rising.] tion it again. There are 36 States in the Union that author MOVING EXPENSES, EMPLOYEES RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE ize the Governor to veto items in appropriation bills, and that Mr. BURCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to provision has been a marvelous saving to those States. If take from the Speaker's table the bill H. R. 1827, to allow that provision were put into our Constitution, it would save moving expenses to employees in the railway mail service, an average of $500,000,000 a year to the taxpayers of this with a Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate country. I had a bill providing for that amendment to the amendment. Federal Constitution pending for several years before Con The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the Senate amend- gress but have never been able to get favorable action on it. ment. From my knowledge on the Appropriations Committee dur The Clerk read as follows: ing the past 20 years, I am confident I know whereof I Line 4, strike out "and Post Office Inspection Service." speak. Line 6, after "'duty", insert ", and who actually have to change That kind of a provision would prevent logrolling and the their residence." insertion of a large number of items by individual members for their individual home benefits that should never be ap The SPEAKER. Is there objection? proved. If the President -had the power to eliminate those Mr. MARTIN of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I reserve "Alphonse and Gaston" amendments it would come nearer the right to object. Is this the unanimous report of the keeping our Budget balanced than any other possible piece of Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads? . Mr. BURCH. It is. legislation I know of. Mr. MARTIN of Massachusetts. How much money is · I think the House might be interested in a historical ref involved? erence. It is now 166 years, a century and two-thirds since the Continental Congress first met in the year 1774. Yet, Mr. BURCH. About $5,000 annually. It is for the ex penses of ,moving the household goods of postal employees measured in terms of a number of generations which have served in Congress from that early beginning to the present who are arbitrarily transferred from one location to another. time, the Continental Congress is only a few yesterdays in the Mr. MARTIN of Massachusetts. Is this a new policy that we are establishing? past. Mr. BURCH. It is not a new policy in the Government. If I may be permitted to again refer to myself, the overlap Generally, many departments do the same thing-practically ping services of but four other men in addition to my own all of them. constitute a living chain which joins those early colonial days The SPEAKER. Is there objection? of the Continental Congress with those of the Seventy-sixth There was no objection. Congress of the year 1940. The SPEAKER. The question is on concurring in the As I have said before, when I first came to Congress in Senate amendments. 1909, Uncle Joe Cannon was Speaker of this House. When The Senate amendments were concurred in, and a motion Uncle Joe first came to Congress in 1873, Alexander H. to reconsider the vote by which they were concurred in was Stephens, of Georgia, was a Member of this Hous~. When laid on the table. Stephens first · entered Congress in 1843, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, had been a Member of Congress and he reentered UNIVERSAL MILITARY CONSCRIPTION in 1849 as a Senator. When Clay entered Congress, Abraham Mr. FISH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to Baldwin was a sitting Senator from Georgia. Baldwin had address the House for 1 minute. been a Member of the Continental Congress and participated The SPEAKER. Is there objection? in the action of that body calling the Constitutional Con There was no objection. vention. He was a delegate to the convention and one of the Mr. FISH. Mr. Speaker, President Roosevelt says he ex signers of the Constitution. Thus was the torch of free pects to send to Congress a message urging universal mili government lighted in those early colonial days. It passed tary conscription in the United States. I warn the Mem through the hands of but five men from the days of the bers of the House to make a careful study of this entire Continental Congress down to the present time; from Bald proposal, which, in my opinion, would be bringing the win to Clay, Clay to Stephens, Stephens to Cannon, and European war system over to the United States. from Cannon to myself, whose overlapping services from an Universal military service in America would create a unbroken chain span from the prenatal period of our Re gigantic war machine, or "Frankenstein," that would de public down to the present time. stroy and devour our democratic and free institutions. 1940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8639 I am in favor of making America invincible on land, sea, no one would attempt to justify this restriction on democracy. and air, through the largest Navy in the world and by The gentleman from Georgia [Mr. CoxJ infers that my knowl increasing and modernizing our Army and National Guard. edge of the subject is limited. I wish to state that the mate I am not in favor of copying the European war system of rial for the various tables that have been placed in the RECORD conscription in time of peace, although it may be necessary have been taken from such reliable sources as our own Con for defense if we are ever attacked. gressional Directory, World Almanac, the Bureau of the Cen Conscription in Europe is largely responsible for their sus reports, and the reports from State officials. continuous wars, as it creates a war psychology that war is It is not surprising that the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. natural and inevitable, and why not now? It destroys all Cox] would accept the challenge. In this connection, we are peace elements and substitutes a psychology that breeds reminded of an old saying, "The pig caught under the gate is war. There is no room for it here except in defense of our the one that squeals." country in case of an invasion. Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to ad- < EXTENSION OF REMARKS dress the House for half a minute. Mr. FULMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent The SPEAKER. Is there objection? to extend my remarks in the RECORD by the insertion of a There was no objection. short resolution. Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, it is strange that we find here The SPEAKER. Is there objection? and there some people who seem to have no higher ambition There was no objection. than to make a public nuisance of themselves. · Mr. HENNINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING to extend my remarks in the RECORD and to include an Mr. MAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to editorial from the St. Louis Star. address the House for 1 minute. The SPEAKER. Is there objection? The SPEAKER. Is there objection? There was no objection. There was no objection. Mr. ALLEN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani Mr. MAY. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the mous consent to extend my remarks twice in the RECORD, by remarks of the gentleman from New York [Mr. FisH] with including an editorial from the Bennington
8652 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE .19 ran doWn the Tombigbee River at :flood stage and knocked Mr. HOBBS. Of course, that is so, and I thank the gen down one span of an interstate carrier's bridge-the Southern tleman for the contribution. Now, let me tell you something Railway Co.-between Selma, Ala., my home town, and else: If the Jackson railway bridge is abandoned, it will Meridian, Miss. leave 14 counties, most of them in the district of the gentle The railroad company made arrangements to pick up that man from Alabama, FRANK BOYKIN, utterly without any rail span and put it in the place it had formerly occupied. The service whatsoever. None of them is in my district, but Army engineers said, "No; you cannot do that." And for 8 they are killing the railroad shops in Selma, my home town, years we have not had a train run on that line from Selma to and it is the biggest pay roll there. Meridian. For 8 years conductors, :flagmen, engineers, and Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? firemen on that interstate-commerce line have not made a Mr. HOBBS. I am delighted to yield. run. It took those train crews o:ff of the pay roll in my home Mr. SPENCE. Is there an appeal from the decision of town. It took 18 men at one time out of the shops in my home the Secretary of War? town. The Southern Railway shops in Selma has the big Mr. HOBBS. Yes, sir. gest pay roll in that town. They are killing it. Now they Mr. SPENCE. Would not that, therefore, assure the Gov have dropped down 125 miles and are "picking on" another ernment's interest being treated fairly? old bridge at Jackson, Ala. Neither of those bridges was in Mr. HOBBS. Of course, no Secretary of War is ever going my district, but it is killing the shops in my home town, and to treat the Government unfairly. the biggest pay roll we have. Mr. DONDERO. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield Now, here is the joke of it. The Southern Railway Co., for a question? that .operates from Selma to Mobile, the most needed line in Mr. HOBBS. Certainly. our section for . national defense, coming right out of the Mr. DONDERO. Has the gentleman discussed the equities heart of the steel and iron district in Dixie, straight to the of the case as yet? only port Alabama has-and it is developed and is a good Mr. HOBBS. I am going to do that right away. one-that line was ordered to replace the bridge at Jackson, Mr. VANZANDT . . Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? Ala. The Southern Railway Co. does not even own the line. Mr. HOBBS. Gladly. It does not own the bridge. Mr. VAN ZANDT. The gentleman is familiar with the It has no interest in it; it leases it from a British syndi bridge across the Potomac here in Washington. The Army cate; and because of losses incurred for 12 years in the oper engineers recommend a new bridge so that it may compare ation of that division they have been suing for years to cancel with the Arlington Bridge, yet the present bridge is adequate the lease, and the British syndicate will not permit it. The to handle the railroad business. order of the Anny engineers to tear down that bridge and Mr. HOBBS. And every other bridge must be maintained build a new one might mean they would be permitted by the under the orders of the Interstate Commerce Commission in Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon it, and aban perfectly serviceable condition to serve the needs of the rail doning the bridge means abandoning the line. A chain is roads. no stronger than its weakeSt link. A railroad is no better than Mr. ZIMMERMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? its bridges. Mr. HOBBS. I shall be glad to yield to the gentleman for With the problem of national defense pressing upon us a question. every minute for consideration, I am saying to you that it Mr. ZIMMERMAN. The gentleman spoke of a bridge does not do much good to manufacture guns and ammunition across the Tombigbee River being owned by a British syndi unless you have the mearis of transportation. Both water cate. ways and railways are necessary to the public good. We can Mr. HOBBS. Yes, sir. not possibly keep men at work if we are going to put them out Mr. ZIMMERMAN. I presume that if the bridge is renewed of work. or lifted to aid navigation that the Government would pay Mr. WALTER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? for it and that it would still belong to the British syndicate. Mr. HOBBS. I am always happy to yield to my friend Is that right? from Pennsylvania. Mr. HOB;BS. In no case is the Government required to Mr. WALTER. Was not the bill that is under considera pay more than a small part of the cost, but your conclu tion now drafted specifically to meet the objections that were sion is true, and I make no apology for the fact. We ought made to a similar bill of a year or two ago? to treat every investor who puts his money in this country Mr. HOBBS. A bill of 1 year ago which was vetoed after fairly; and this bill is essentially fair and equitable. Congress adjourned. In answer to that question I want, i.f I Before I explain the bill very briefly-and I hesitate to do may, to read again to the House the letter which Senator so in view of the clear, fine, fair presentation which has TRUMAN wrote to the gentleman from Kentucky, the Honor been made by the distinguished chairman of the Interstate able VIRGIL CHAPMAN, chairman of the subcommittee on and Foreign Commerce Committee of the House-l want to bridges of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee: tell you who is for this bill. Before I drafted it originally DEAR MR. CHAPMAN: While I may not, because of the ru1e of I went to every one of the 21 railway brotherhoods in this protocol against quoting the President, state exactly what he said country and submitted my ideas to them and got their to me, yet I may with propriety certify the clear understanding I gained from a personal interview with the President. approval. I have never consulted with any railroad, of Therefore I certify H. R. 9381 is in complete and perfect accord course, because I knew they would be for it. The brother With my clear understanding, so gained; of the wishes of the Presi hoods tell me that the situation as it exists is killing jobs dent with respect to that legislation. H. R. 9381 is essentially the same bill passed by the Senate and the and adding to the unemployment problem, and therefore House last year In which have been Incorporated amendments that they are cordially for this bill. I am sure will make it acceptable to the President. Second, tqe President appointed a committee of six to · Sincerely yours, study the transportation problem as a whole, a committee HARRY 8. TRUMAN. composed of two representatives of manag~ment, two of Mr. MAY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? labor, and two of the public. This committee unanimously Mr. HOBBS. Yes; I am delighted to yield to the distin recommended the relief given in this bill. Every Member guished gentleman from Kentucky. of Congress in both Houses has voted for it twice. Both Mr. MAY. The instance of the bridge across the Tom the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee of the higbee River mentioned by the gentleman is one example House and two committees of the Senate have given it the of where it has interfered not only with a large number of closest kind of scrutiny, under a magnifying glass, and have commercial activities and transportation, but it might be said it is 0. K. We have now amended it in accordance come an important factor in the. national-defense program with the suggestion of the President; incorporated three in the transportation of troops, material, and so on. amendments he asked be incorporated. I am sure this bill 1940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8653 would never have been vetoed had it not ·been· for his The problem of the railroads is the problem of each and every one of us. No single economic activity enters into the life of engrossment in foreign affairs. ' every individual as much as do these great carriers. Now, let us look at the bill. What does it do? Mind you, it applies to no bridge that was not built before the act of 1906, The situation is further illustrated by the fact that at the so far as I know. It says that whenever the needs of navi present time 109 railroad companies of all classes are under gation require, the War Department shall have full and ple going reorganization, either through the process of receiver nary power to order the remodeling, relocation, or rebuilding ship or bankruptcy. These 109 companies operate 77,414 of any railroad bridge crossing a navigable stream, l:>ut it miles of railroad or 31 percent of the total railway mileage may do so only after a hearing has been held and the neces of the country. sities of the case studied. Then if the War Department con The situation of" the railroads, particularly with respect to cludes, after fair and full hearings and after due notice, that impaired railroad credit, was such that the President of the improvement is necessary, then it shall so order. United States, in the spring of 1938, appointed a special com [Here the gavel fell.J mittee, composed of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chair Mr. LEA. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman 1 additional man of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, the Chair minute. man of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a repre Mr. HOBBS. Mr. Speaker, this bill requires that there sentative of the Department of Commerce, the Administrator should be charged up against the railroad all the benefits of the Farm Security organization, a representative of the that flow to the railroad company from the improvement, Security Owners Association, a representative of railroad and, having charged up to the railroad company specifically management, a representative of railroad labor, and three the value of the use that they have had of the old bridge, hav members of the Interstate Commerce Commission, to make a ing charg_ed up to the railroad company the expected savings study of the transportation problem, particularly as it affected in maintenance and repairs, having charged to the railroad railroads. company the increase in the capacity of the new bridge, In the message delivered to the Congress by the President, enabling the railroad to haul heavier loads, this bill requir~s bearing date of April 11, 1938, in transmitting to Congress the Government to pay the remainder of the cost. the recommendations of this committee, the President re The Government subsidizes the waterways because of ferred to the fact that the problem of railroad transportation national need. The alterations ordered are needed for the had become increasingly difficult. In the report made to the improvement of navigation and, therefore, benefit the Gov President and by the President transmitted to Congress, the ernment. There is no reason why the Government should three members of the Interstate Commerce Commission, as not pay for the benefits it so receives. - shown by House Document No. 583, Seventy-fifth Congress: With the sincerest admiration for our great President, third session, fully recognized the serious situation of the with genuine regret that agreement with him on this point railroads, saying, among other things: is impossible, I beg you to serve national defense, relieve The continuing decline in the spread between revenues and unemployment, be fair to the railways, and, therefore, pass expen~es , along with the current loss of traffic, have, generally speakmg, resulted in the destruction of railroad credit. Few rail this perfectly meritorious bill over his veto. roads are in a position to borrow. With earnings so largely con Let me give you as concisely as possible, five reasons for sumed in paying operating expenses, taxes, and other obligations, an "aye" vote: little is available for improving plant no matter how necessary such improvements may be. The railroad plant, especially its equip First. National defense cannot be made adequate without ment, is constantly wearing out or becoming obsolete. Efficient adequate rail and water ways. operation requires constant renewal and replacement. To the ex The United States is a land of vast distances. No one can tent such renewal and replacement are impeded, transportation predict where there may be need to concentrate men, muni efficiency Is lessened and cost is increased. tions, and war materiel. In the fall of 1938, after the railroads had been defeated in From time to time the place for such concentration may their effort to secure a decrease in the wage rate, the Presi shift. dent appointed a committee of six persons connected with No matter how many tanks and guns, no matter how the railroad industry, three of these being railroad presidents much ammunition we may manufacture, we must be pre and three being railroad labor executives. In making this pared to haul them where we want them when we want appointment, the President is quoted by the New York Herald them. Tribune as saying, at a press conference on Septeber 20, A railroad is no better than its bridges. 1938, in substance that the question of wage reduction is sub A waterway is no better than its clearances. ordinate for the time being to the broad question of railroad Second. Neither can peacetime transportation service be rehabilitation. He pointed out that he had made recom adequate without adequate rail and water ways. mendations for railroad rehabilitation at the -last session of Third. Railways are no longer able to build bridges to Congress, but that Congress had adjourned without enacting serve, not only their own needs, but also the expanding any laws helpful to the railroads, one-third of which are needs of their competing carriers, the waterways. already in bankruptcy. It is a well-known fact that the The situation of the railways presents a serious problem, President requested this Committee of Six to bring forward as everybody familiar with the subject admits. Looking at recommendations which would represent a forward step in the figures for the past 5 years, it appears that with the the matter of railroad rehabilitation. exception of the year 1935, the railroads have never earned The Committee of Six, after very careful consideration of as much as 2 percent upon their investment. In 1938, after all factors entering into the problem, made a series of con payment of fixed charges, there was a deficit of $123,000,000, crete recommendations, one of which had to do with the which may be compared with an income in 1930 of $524,- reconstruction of bridges and other facilities. The language 000,000. It is true that conditions were somewhat improved of the Committee in summarizing its recommendation was: in 1939, when there wacs a net income after fixed charges Adoption of policy that whenever, in connection with the im provement of navigable waters • • • a railroad is required to had been paid of $95,000,000. alter or reconstruct bridges or other facil'ities, it be reimbursed On the whole, however, the situation of the railroads was by the Government for all costs in excess of any direct benefit well expressed by President Roosevelt in his Salt Lake City accruing to it. speech, made on September 17, 1932, when he said: This recommendation went to the President under date of Now, there is no reason to disguise the fact that the railways as December 23, 1938. a whole are in serious difiiculty. In the hearings which were had on a bill which is substan I may call attention also to the statement made by the tially the same as H. R. 9381, held by a subcommittee of the President in that same speech, devoted as it was to the rail Senate Committee on Commerce on May 17, 1939, a table was road question, where he said: introduced showing that certain railroads shown in the table, 8654 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 over a period of years, had expended $48,209,756 in rebuilding Fifth. The bill is the product of 4 years' hard work. and relocating bridges at the command of the Federal Gov- • The authors, the Interstate Commerce Committees of both ernment. The table further showed that of this amount, House and Senate, and their experts, after full hearings upon $28,480,267 was expended for the improvement of navigation every phase of the transportation problem, many consulta and $17,890,528 was expended for the improvement of rail tions with competent advisers, have produced a bill which road facilities. In other words, in the period of years covered has no "bugs" in it. by the table, the railroads have been called upon to pay prac A very similar bill was passed by both Houses of Congress tically $28,500,000 to improve water transportation, without last year, but was vetoed by the President after Congress any benefit whatever to the facilities of the railroads from adjourned. the viewpoint of railroad transportation. This year the President suggested certain amendments. It is only necessary to call attention to the extended hear These have been included in the present bill, and are as i:Ggs held by the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign follows: Commerce, extending from January 24, 1939, to March 30, Page 2, lines 11 to 14: "The term 'bridge owner' shall also 1939, to understand the serious situation of the railroads and mean and include all joint owners, particularly States, counties, the necessity for giving relief wherever that can be done with municipalities, or other participants in ownership of bridges for both railroad and highway traffic." out sacrifice of the public interest. Particular attention may Page 5, lines 21 and 22: "including the expectable savings in be called to the testimony of Commissioner Splawn and to repair or maintenance costs;". the tables which he there introduced, showing that for the Page 6, lines 5 to 17: "Provided, That the part of the cost of first 11 months of 1938 the class I railroads of the country alteration of any bridge for both highway and railroad traffic, at tributable to the requirements of traffic by highway, shall be incurred a deficit of $145,277,364, and that among the deficit borne by the proprietor of the highway: Provided further, That in railroads in that period were such important lines as the At the event the alteration or relocation of any bridge may be de lantic Coast Line; Baltimore & Ohio; Boston & Maine; Chi sirable for the reason that the bridge unreasonably obstructs navigation, but also for some other reason, the Secretary may re cago & North Western; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pa quire equitable contribution from any interested person, firm, cific; Missouri Pacific; New York Central; New York, New association, corporation, municipality, county, or State desiring Haven & Hartford; Northern Pacific; Pere Marquette; St. such alteration or relocation for such other reason, as a condition , Louis-San Francisco; Seaboard Air Line; Southern Railway; precedent to the making of an order for such alteration or relo Southern Pacific; and many others which could be men cation." tioned. As stated previously, the 1939 showing is a little This bill, as its preceding version, follows the philosophy better, but the conditions which brought about the improve set forth by the Supreme Court of the United States in its ment were attributable to a stimulated and temporary decision in the case of N. C. & St. L. Ry. Co. v. Walters (294 improvement, due to war conditions abroad. U. S. 405), relating to the analogous probiem arising there Fourth. H. R. 9381, the Truman-Hobbs bill, simply faces in the elimination of grade crossings. There is no distinction these facts and provides the only practical remedy. in principle between the eqUities arising from the elimination There is no question but that the Army engineers have of a grade crossing where a highway intersects a railway, and the power to order the repair, remodeling, improvement, the equities arising from the improvement of a railway bridge relocation, or rebuilding of any railroad bridge across a which crosses a navigable stream. Hence the application of navigable stream, if the needs of navigation so require. the philosophy of the Walters case to the problem sought to This bill simply requires that in the exercise of this power, be equitably solved by this bill. a hearing be given to interested parties and that the Army The Walters case was one attacking a statute of a State engineers shall ascertain the equities in the event they find Tennessee-which imposed upon the railway company one it necessary to order the improvement of a railway bridge. half of the cost of obviating a grade crossing. It was claimed, In such event the bill requires the Army engineers to quite properly, that the elimination .of grade crossings was a charge the bridge owner with- safety measure protecting both the travelers on the highway Such part of the cost of the improvement as is attributable to the and also on the railway, hence was valid because of the direct and special benefits which will accrue to the bridge owner as unlimited police power of a sovereign State. a result of the alteration, including the expectable savings in repair But the Supreme Court of the United ·States, speaking or maintenance costs. And that part of the cost attributable to the requirements of traffic by· railroad or highway, or both, including through Mr. Justice Brandeis, held: any expenditure for increased carrying capacity of the bridge, and The police power is subject to the constitutional limitation that including such proportion of the actual capital cost of the old it may not be exerted arbitrarily or unreasonably. bridge or of such part of the old bridge as may be altered or changed The power in a State to require a railroad company to bear or rebuilt, as the used service life of the whole or a part, as the expenses of separating the grades of the railway and a new highway case may be, bears to the total estimated service life of the whole at crossing is not absolute, but is subject to the due-process clause or such part. of the fourteenth amendment; and it does not exist in the particu lar case if, upon the facts of that case, the exaction would be The United States is required to bear "the balance of the unreasonable or arbitrary. cost, including that part attributable to the necessities of Far from being a feeder of railway traffic, it--the underpass navigation." would add to the motor competition from which the railway had already suffered severely; and that the tax burden upon the Of course, other contingencies are provided for. The bene railway was already excessive, as compared with that upon the fits to any highways must be borne by the proprietor of the owners of motor vehicles who would use the highway as its highway. Where a relocation or alteration is desirable from competitors. · the standpoint of the owner of a park, for instance, the park If,. therefore, the Supreme Court of the united States owner is required to participate in defraying the expense. held, as it did, that a Tennessee statute was void which im Essentially, the bill is sound, fair, and altogether equitable. posed only one-half of the cost of an underpass, the con It charges every proper element of cost against the railways struction of which was ordered by a sovereign State in the which should be borne by them. The Government is re exercise of its police power, how much less of equity has quired to bear whatever the residue of cost may be after all the Federal Government? the deductions have been made. Bear in mind, the basis of There are at least 11 reasons why the State's case was the order for the improvement is the needs of navigation. stronger than the case of the Federal Government: Therefore, since a perfectly good railroad bridge, adequately First. The Federal Government has no police powers, save serving railway needs, is to be remodeled solely because of one-to maintain itself. All the others were expressly re the needs of the competing carrier, it is manifest that navi served to the States. gation should be taxed with an equitable share of the cost. Second. The imposition by the Federal Government is not, Whatever this equitable share may be is left to deter as was the States, for the benefit of the railroad company mination of the Army engineers. This is fair. The Nation at all, but rp.er~Iy for the benefit of a competing carrier, gets the benefit both for peacetime service and for national the waterway. . defense. The Nation should be willing to pay what its own Third. The power to regulate interstate commerce is the Army engineers certify to be equitable. only basis upon which the right of the Federal Government ).940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8655 to order the alteration of a railway bridge can be predicated The question was taken; and there were-yeas 324, nays and only then because of the needs of navigation. 68, not voting 39, as follows: · Fourth. Most of the railway bridges :which would be af [Roll No. 156) fected by this act were erected under permit of the Fed YE~24 eral Government-usually they were built in accordance Alexander Dies Johnson, Ind. Ramspeck with plans and specifications either prepared or approved Allen, Ill. Dirksen Johnson, Okla. Randolph · Allen, La. Ditter Johnson, W.Va. Reed, Ill. by the Federal Government; whereas the State did nothing Allen; Pa. Dondero Jones, Ohio Reed, N. Y. of the kind with respect to the railway the State ordered Andersen, H. Carl Douglas Jonkman Rees, Kans. to pay one-half of the cost of an underpass. Anderson, Calif. Doxey Keefe Rich Anderson, Mo. Duncan Kefauver Richards Fifth. Every one of the bridges which would be affected Andresen, A. H. Durham Kelly Robertson by this act is perfectly serviceable and satisfactory for all Andrews Dworshak Kennedy, Martin Robinson, Utah~ Angell Eaton Keogh Robsion, Ky. railway purposes. Arends Edmiston Kerr Rockefeller Railways are required by law, as well as for their own Austin Elliott Kilburn Rodgers, Pa. protection, to maintain their bridges in first-class condition. Ball Ellis Kilday Rogers, Mass. Barden, N.C. Elston Kinzer Rogers, Okla. - Sixth. This taking of private property-money-from the Barnes Engel Kirwan Routzahn railways, without just compensation On fact, without any Barry Englebright· Kitchens Rutherford Barton, N.Y. Evans Kleberg Ryan compensation) , is only permitted on the tenuous theory of Bates, Ky. Faddis Knutson Sandager regulating water-borne commerce. Bates, Mass. Fenton Kocialkowski Sasscer Seventh. But, taken in conjunction with the burdens of Bell Fernandez Kunkel Satterfield Bender Fitzpatrick Lambertson Schaefer, Ill. taxation-on the railways heavy, on the waterways none Blackney Flannagan Landis Schafer, Wis. and the systems of regulation to which the railways and Bland Flannery Lanham SchUller their competitors are subject, such an exaction amounts to Bolles Ford, Leland M. Larrabee Schuetz Bolton Ford, Miss. Lea Scrugham a denial of equal protection of the laws and discriminates Boren Fries Leavy Secrest against and burdens interstate commerce. Boykin Gamble LeCompte Seger Bradley, Mich. Garrett Lesinski Shafer, Mich. Eighth. The power to regulate is not the power to kill. Brewster Gartner Lewis, Colo. Shanley Regulation presupposes the continuity of the traffic regu Brooks Gathings Lewis, Ohio Shannon lated-not its destruction. Brown, Ga. Gearhart Luce Sheppard Brown, Ohio Gehrmann Ludlow Short Ninth. Assessments for public improvements are ordinarily Bryson Gerlach Lynch Simpson constitutional only if based on benefits to the property Buck Geyer, Calif, McDowell Smith, Maine Buckler, Minn. Gibbs McGehee Smith, Ohio assessed. Buckley, N.Y. Gifford McGregor Smith, Va. Tenth. The State only sought to impose on the railway Bulwinkle Gilchrist McLaughlin Smith, Wash. 1 company one-half of the cost of the alteration; the Federal Burch Gillie McLean Smith, W.Va. , Burdick Goodwin McLeOd Snyder Government has been imposing all of the cost. ' Byrns, 'l'enn. Gore McMillan, Clara South Eleventh. So far as I have bee:Q. able to ascertain-and I Caldwell Gossett McMillan, John L. Sparkman have made diligent research-most, if not all, of the bridges Camp Graham Maas Spence Cannon, Fla. Grant, Ala. Maloney Springer which would be affected by this act were built long before the Carlson Grant, Ind. Mansfield Stearns, N. H. act of March 23, 1906; yet the President, in his message of Carter Gregory Marshall Stefan Cartwright Griffith Martin, Iowa Sumner, Ill. June 10, 1940, returning the bill H. R. 9381 without his Case, S.Dak. Gross Martin, Mass. Sumners, Tex. approval, makes this statement as the basis of his veto: Casey, Mass. Guyer, Kans. Mason Sutphin Celler Gwynne Massingale Sweeney As was stated in my memorandum of disapproval of S. 1989, the Chapman Hall, Edwin A. May Sweet General Bridge Act of March 23, 1906, authorizes the Secretary of Chiperfield Hall, Leonard W. Michener Taber War to require the alteration of any bridge which, in his opinion, Church Hancock Miller Talle may at any time unreasonably obstruct navigation, the cost of such Clark Hare Mills, Ark. Tarver alteration to be borne entirely by the owner. This has been a Clason Harness Mills, La. Tenerowicz condition precedent to the construction of bridges over the navi Claypool Harter, N. Y. Monkiewicz Terry gable waters of the United States and the owners are fully apprised Clevenger Hartley Monroney Thill of the condition before the construction work is undertaken. Cluett Havenner Moser Thomas, Tex. , Coffee, Nebr. Hawks Matt Thorkelson ' The proponents of the bill are clearly convinced that there Coffee, Wash. Healey Mouton · Tibbott will not be any great cost entailed upon the Government by Cole, Md. Hendricks Mundt Tinkham Cole, N.Y. Hennings Murdock, Ariz. Tolan making this bill law. The railroads have already, under the Collins Hess Murdoc. __ , Utah Treadway orders of the Army engineers, rebuilt or altered a consider Colmer Hill Murray Van Zandt Cooley Hinshaw Norrell Vinson, Ga. able number of the bridges which might otherwise come within Cooper Hobbs O'Brien Vorys, Ohio its purview. The railroads have already thus expended over Corbett Hoffman O'Connor Vreeland $28,000,000 for the improvement of navigation out of a total Costello Holmes Oliver Wadsworth Courtney Hook O'Neal Wallgren of $48,000,000 they were compelled thus to expend. There Cox Hope Osmers Walter should not be a great many more of similar expenditures to Cravens Houston O'Toole Weaver Creal Hull Parsons Wheat be required. But whether much or little, the Government Crosser Hunter Patrick Whelchel cannot be required under this bill to pay 1 cent until it has Crowe Izac Patton White, Idaho been certified, after full hearing, by its own Army engineers, Crowther Jarman Pearson Wigglesworth Culkin Jarrett Peterson, Fla. Williams, Del. that -the Government's contribution is necessary for the im Cummings Jeffries Peterson, Ga. Winter provement of navigation. Curtis Jenks, N.H. Pittenger Wolcott J This bill will not cost the Government a cent unless the D'Alesandro Jennings Plumley Wolfenden, Pa.. Darden, Va. Jensen Polk Wood Government's expenditure is both necessary and right. If any Davis Johns Powers Woodruff, Mich. expenditure meets this criterion it should be made. pempsey Johnson, ni. Rabaut Youngdahl We know how exceedingly engrossed in foreign affairs the NAYS-68 President is. We have no criticism of his vetoes of this bill. Arnold Dunn Kee Norton Beam Eberharter Keller O'Day We know that other things are uppermost in his mind. But Beckworth Edelstein Kennedy, Michael O'Leary we sincerely believe that this bill will militate to the distinct Bloom Fay Kramer Patman advantage of the national defense which is at this time the Boehne Ferguson McAndrews Pfeifer Bradley, Pa. Flaherty McCormack Pierce preeminent consideration of every American. [Applause.] Burgin Folger McKeough Poage Mr. LEA. Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question. Cannon, Mo. Ford, Thomas F. Maciejewski Rankin The previous question was ordered. Cochran Fulmer Magnuson Rayburn Connery Gavagan Mahon Sacks The SPEAKER. The question is, Will the House, on CUllen Hart Marcantonio Schulte reconsideration, agree to pass the bill, the objections of the Delaney Jacobsen Martin, Ill. Schwert Dickstein Johnson, Luther A.Myers Smith, Conn. President to the contrary notwithstanding? Dingell Johnson, Lyndon Nelson Somers, N.Y. The Clerk will call the roll. Doughton Jones, Tex. Nichols Thomason 8656 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 ·
Vincent, Ky. Warren Whittington Woodrum, Va. census of 1940 ttfter such statistics become available, but prior to Ward West Williams, Mo. Zimmerman that time may be determined in accordance with such regulations NOT VOTING-39 as may be promulgated by the Secretary of Agriculture; and the Boland Halleck Merritt Starnes, Ala. Reconstruction Finance Corporation is hereby authorized and di Byrne, N.Y. Harrington Mitchell Steagall rected to lend such sum to the Secretary of Agriculture upon the Byron Harter, Ohio Pace Sullivan security of any obligations of borrowers from the Secretary under Crawford Horton Reece, Tenn. Taylor the provisions of title I of the Bankhead-Janes Farm Tenant Act Darrow Jenkins, Ohio Risk Thomas, N. J. approved July 22, 1937 (7 U. S. C. 1000-1'006): Provided, That the DeRoue.n Kean Romjue Voorhis, call!. amount loaned by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation shall Disney Kennedy, Md. Sabath Welch not exceed 85 per centum of the principal amount outstanding of the Drewry Lemke Seccombe White, Ohio obligations constituting the security therefor: Provided further, Fish McArdle Sheridan Wolverton, N. J. That the Secretary may utilize proceeds from payments of prin Green McGranery Smith, Ill. cipal and interest on any loans made under such title I to repay the So, two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the bill Reconstruction Finance Corporation the amount borrowed there from under the authority of this paragraph: Provided further, was passed, the objections of the President to the contrary That the amount of notes, bonds, debentures, and other such obli notwithstanding. · gations which the Reconstruction Finance Corporation is author The Clerk announced the following pairs: ized and empowered to issue and to have outstanding at any one time under existing law is hereby increased by an amount suffi On the vote: cient to carry out the provisions hereof." Mr. Jenkins of Ohio and Mr. Halleck (for) with Mr. Byrne of New The committee of conference report in disagreement amendments York (against). numbered 17, 20, 21, 37, 39, 43, 61, 65, 66, and 105. Mr. Wolverton of New Jersey and Mr. Seccombe (for) with Mr. Sullivan (against). CLARENCE CANNON, Mr. crawford and Mr. Kean (for) with Mr. Merritt (against). M . C. TARVER, W. P. LAMBERTSON, General pairs: Managers on the part of the House. Mr. Drewry with Mr. Thomas of New Jersey. RICHARD B. RUSSELL, Mr. Harter of Ohio with Mr. Welch. CARL HAYDEN, Mr. McGra.nery with Mr. Horton. M. E. TYDINGS, Mr. Pace with Mr. Fish. J. H. BANKHEAD, Mr. Sabath with Mr. Risk. E. D. SMITH, Mr. Starnes of Alabama with Mr. Darrow. GERALD P. NYE, Mr. Boland with Mr. Lemke. . CHAS. L. McNARY, Mr. Steagall with Mr. White of Ohio. Managers on the part of the Senate. Mr. Byron with Mr. DeRouen. Mr. McArdle with Mr. Mitchell. STATEMENT Mr. Green with Mr. Harrington. Mr. Romjue with Mr. Sheridan. The managers on the part of the House at the conference on the Mr. Taylor with Mr. Smith of Tilinois. disagreeing votes of the two Houses on certain amendments of the Mr. Voorhis of California with Mr. Disney. Senate and amendments of the House to certain amendments of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 8202) making appropriations for the The vote was announced as above recorded. Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION BILL, 1941-CONFER and for other purposes, submit the following statement in explana ENCE REPORT tion of the effect of the action recommended and agreed upon as to such amendments in the accompanying conference report, Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I call up the con namely: ference report on the bill (H. R. 8202) making appropri On amendment Nos. 41 and 42, acquisition of national-forest ations for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year lands: Appropriates $1,000,000, as proposed by the House, instead of $2,000,000, as proposed by the Senate. ending June 30, 1941, and for other purposes, and I ask On amendment Nos. 44 and 45, forest roads and trails: Appropri unanimous consent tbat the statement may be read in lieu ates $9,000,000, as proposed in the House amendment to the amend of the report. ment of the Senate, instead of $7,500,000, as originally proposed by the House, and $10,000,000, as proposed by the Senate. The Clerk read the title of the bill. On amendment No. 60, pink-bollworm and Thurberia-weevil con The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the trol: Appropriates $526,800, as proposed by the House, instead of gentleman from Missouri [Mr. CANNON J ? $909,608, as proposed by the Senate. On amendment No. 95 (relating to administrative expenses in There was no obJection. Washington and in the field under the appropriation for domestic The Clerk read the statement. allotment payments): Limits to the Marketing and Marketing The conference report and statement are as follows: Agreements Division of the Agricultural Adjustment Administra tion and the Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation the inter CONFERENCE REPORT changability between the District of Columbia, regional offices, and The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the ·two the several States, of the limitations upon administrative expenses Houses on certain amendments of the Senate and amendments of for such offices prescribed by section 392 (b) of the Agricultural. the House to certain amendments of the Senate to the bill (H. R. Adjustment Act .of 1938, instead of providing for such interchange 8202) making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for ability for all the activities provided for under such appropriation, the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, and for other purposes, having as proposed by the Senate. met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and On amendment No. 99, parity payments: Authorizes parity pay do recommend to their respective Houses as follows: ments up to 100 percent of parity price, as provided by the amend That the Senate recede from its amendments numbered 41, 42, ment of the House to the amendment of the Senate. and 60. On amendment No. 103, farm-tenant loans: The recommendation Amendment numbered 4.4: That the Senate recede from its dis of the conferees diqers from the original Senate amendment and agreement to the amendment of the House to the amendment of the from the House amendment to the Senate amendment in the Senate numbered '44, and agree to the same. following respects: Amendment numbered 45: That the Senate recede from its dis 1. It is recommended that the $50,000,000 for farm-tenant loans · agreement to the amendment of the House to the amendment of the which is to be borrowed from the Reconstruction Finance Corpo Senate numbered 45, and agree to the same. ration shall be loaned to the Secretary of Agriculture upon the Amendment numbered 95: That the Senate recede from its dis... s~c_urity of outstanding obligati9ns of borrowers under the pro agreement to the amendment of the House to the amendment of VlSIOns of title I of the Bankhead-Janes Farm Tenant Act, but not the Senate numbered 95, and ·agree to the same. in excess of 85 percent of such obligations, instead of the require Amendment numbered 99: That the Senate recede from its dis ment proposed by the Senate that the Secretary of the Treasury agreement to the amendment of the House to the amendment of .shall reimburse the Reconstruction Finance Corporation from the the Senate numbered 99, and agree to the same. general fund in the Treasury for obligations in default. Amendment numbered 103: That the Senate recede from its dis 2. The recommendation of the conferees includes the so-called agreement to the amendment of the House to the amendment of the , Tarver amendment, prohibiting the purchase of any farm of Senate numbered 103, and agree to the same with an amendment as greater value than the average farm unit in the county, parish, or follows: In lieu of the matter inserted by the Senate amendment locality where the purchase is made, so amended as to require as amended by the House insert the following: the average to be computed on the basis of farms of not less than "Loans: For loans in accordance with title I of the Bankhead 30 acres as determined by the farm census of 1940 when that Janes Farm Tenant Act, approved July 22, 1937 (7 U. ·s. C. 1000- census is available and prior to that time, as determined in ac 1006), $50,000,000, which sum shall be borrowed from the Recon cordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Agri struction Finance Corporation at an interest rate of 3 per centum per culture. · annum and which sum shall not be used for making loans under In disagreement the terms of said Act for the purchase of farms of greater value The committee of conference have not agreed respecting the than the average farm unit of thirty acres and more in the county, following amendments: parish, or locality in which such purchase may be made, which Amendments Nos. 20, 21, 39, 43, 65, and 66 relate to totals involved value shall be determined solely according to statistics of the farm in connection with the other amendments in disagreement. 1940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8657 On amendments Nos. 17 and 37, relating to beef-cattle investi probable thing is that the condition of wheat will not rap gations in the Southeast and to range investigations in the West: Amendment No. 17 provides an increase of $10,000 under animal idly improve. So I feel that the attention of these gentle husbandry investigations for cooperative studies of beef-cattle men who were so anxious because wheat was above 75 per production in the Southeastern States; and amendment No. 37 cent of parity at the time that the 75-percent limitation provides an increase of $10,000 for range investigations in the should be removed, a little more than a month ago should Southeastern States in connection with the beef-cattle studies set up under amendment No. 17, and provides an additional in be, in all fairness, called to the fact that on the basis of crease of $15,935 for the restoration of the Budget cut in the prices obtaining only a few d~.ys ·ago, and substantially range investigations under the several forest research stations in obtaining at the present time, tlle wheat producers would the West. lose over $16,000,000 because of their insistence on the re On amendment No. 61, white-fringed beetle control: Appro ,priates $600,000. moval of the 75-percent limitation. On amendment No. 105, water facilities, arid and semiarid lands: Mr. WHITTINGTON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman Appropriates $500,000. yield? CLARENCE CANNON, Mr. TARVER. I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi. M. c. TARVER, W. P. LAMBERTSON, Mr. WID'ITINGTON. Is it not true that the argument Managers on the part of the House. made for parity at the time this provision was adopted by the House was really a delusion, because there is no such Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes thing now and there was no such thing then as a real parity to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. TARVER]. price for cotton or wheat? Mr. TARVER. Mr. Speaker, when the first conference re Mr. TARVER. I would prefer not to take the 5 minutes port on the Department of Agriculture appropriation bill allotted to me to discuss that question. I think we ought came before the House approximately a month ago, a great not to legislate on the basis of a temporary condition which deal of difference of opinion arose with reference to the so may change at any time. I suggest that the gentlemen who called 75-percent limitation in connection with parity pay were so insistent upon securing this striking out of the 75- ments-that is, the proviso limiting parity payments to not percent limitation have perhaps been hoisted by their own more than the amounts necessary to bring prices of the five petard and their constituents prevented from receiving ben crops involved to 75 percent of parity and proportioning the efits in the amount of over $16,000,000 which they would funds appropriated accordingly. Gentlemen in the House, otherwise have had. [Applause.] particularly those representing areas of the country inter [Here the gavel fell.] ested in the production of wheat, felt it would be to the in Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes terest of their localities that this provision be eliminated and to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. DIRKSEN]. after discussion that was done by a vote of the House, and the Mr. DIRKSEN. Mr. Speaker, I shall take only a minute Senate with regard to that particular amendment has receded. or two to answer and make an observation upon the state I am not going to undertake to raise any question with regard ment made by the gentleman from Georgia. It may be quite to the propriety of the action which has been taken by the! true, on the basis of May 18 figures or May 29 figures, that House. wheat will receive $16,000,000 less than it would if the 75- I felt upon consideration of the matter in connection with percent limitation had remained in the bill. As a matter of the former conference report, and I feel now, that we should fact, I do not believe that is the concern or the considera first have endeavored to bring the producers of these five tion of the wheat farmer or the corn farmer or any other major crops up to 75 percent of parity before undertaking to fa~mer in that great midwestern area where we produce bring them up to 100 percent of parity for which the bill does cereal grain. We believe, in the first place, that the basic not provide sufficient funds; but I take the floor at this time consideration set forth in the Agricultural Adjustment Act for the purpose of pointing out to the gentlemen who repre of 1938 should have been carried out, and that the only sent wheat-producing areas in this country that the effect logical formula by which to do that is a 100-percent parity of the elimination of this 75-percent provision may very well formula, irrespective of whether it penalizes corn, cotton, not be what they anticipated it would be. wheat, tobacco, rice, or any other commodity, on the basis I pointed out in connection with consideration of that ques .of a price that is given as of a certain date. tion when the matter was first before the House that condi t]ons on account of occurrences across the water might sub But there is much conjecture in what the gentleman from stantially change and that wheat, instead of being one of the Georgia says, because this money is not available for pay m?st favored as to market price of these five major crops, ment until the next crop year. The situation may be entirely might conceivably be in a worse position than cotton or some different. Wheat may be up very substantially at that time, other of the five major crops when the time arrives for the or corn may be up substantially at that time. They may get determination of the question as to what amount of parity more or they may get less than the money that is made avail payments each of the crops should have. able in this bill. But the thing I seek to emphasize is that I want to call your attention to the fact that on May 18- we who contended for the 100-percent rather than the 75- and I am quoting from figures furnished by the Department percent formula were not interested so much in the dollars of Agriculture-on May 18, which was just a few days after and-cents aspect of it as we were in the development and the time we had this question up before, wheat with the in the adoption of a .formula that is founded in logic, in 75-percent limitation left in the bill would have received on reason, in justice, and in equity, and that carries out pretty the basis of prices obtaining on that date $69,000,000 of the well the philosophy that was enunciated in the Agricultural $212,000,000 in this bill, whereas with the elimination of the Adjustment Act of 1938. 75-percent limitation it would have received $62,095,000. Many things can happen overnight; in fact, wheat can go This state of facts was brought about by the decline in the up very substantially, and corn can do likewise. We do not price of wheat following events abroad. know what the impact of war will be upon the agricultural On the basis of prices on May 27, 9 days later, wheat with economy of the country, but we do know that when this the 75-percent limitation left in the law would have received passes it will have anchored parity upon a rather sound and $79,500,000, and with the 75-percent limitation eliminated logical basis, and that is the primary consideration. [Ap W?uld have received $63,040,000, more than $16,000,000 less plause.] With the 75-percent limitation eliminated than with the Farmers seek a parity price for their products. If only 75-percent limitation contained in the law. a moderate sum is required to bring wheat or corn to parity, I realize that this does not present the picture of what and a larger amount for some other commodity, there will may be the condition at the time when prices have to be be no dissatisfaction between the farmers of one section as determined for the purpose of fixing the amounts of parity against the farmers of another section, because parity is the payments. The conditions then, with reference to wheat, ultimate objective. may be better or worse than this but, according to those who Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a vote are in a better position to express an opinion than I am, on the conference report. the experts of the Department of Agriculture. the most l'he conference reEort .wa.s agreed to. 8658 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the first amend the Senate conferees, may be approved by the House, and I ment in disagreement. hope that the motion of the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. The Clerk read as follows: Cox] may receive the approval of this body. [Applause.] Amendment No. 17: On page 22, in line 17, strike out "$814,380" COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION and insert "$824,380." Mr. NELSON, from the Committee on Rules, submitted the Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous following privileged report Clark . Fries Mahon Secrest Routzahn Sheridan Sumner, Til. Wood Claypool Garrett Mansfield Sheppard Schafer, Wis. Smith,lll. Sweeney Woodruff, Mich. Colmer Gathings Marcantonio Smith, Va. Schiffier Steagall Thomas, N.J. Woodrum, Va. Cooley Gibbs May Smith, Wash. Seccombe Sullivan White, Idaho Corbett Gore Mills, Ark. Somers, N.Y. Costello Gossett Mills, La. South So the motion was rejected. Cox Grant, AJa. ~nroney Sparkman The Clerk announced the following pairs: Cravens Griffith Mouton Spence Creal Hare Mundt Starnes, Ala. General pairs: Cullen Harrington Murdock, Ariz. Sumners, Tex. Mr. Woodrum of Virginia With Mr. Jenkins of Ohio. Cummings Havenner Murdock, Utah Tarver Mr. Rayburn with Mr. Halleck. Darden, Va. Hendricks Nichols Taylor Mr. Collins with Mr. Crawford. Davis Hill Norrell Tenerowicz Mr. Boland with Mr. Jensen. Delaney Hobbs O'Connor Terry Mr. Drewry with Mr. Miller. Dempsey Izac O'Toole Thomas, Tex. Mr. Wood with Mr. Clevenger. DeRouen Jarman Patman Thomason Mr. Steagall with Miss Sumner of Dllnois. Dies Johnson,Luther A.Patrick Tolan Mr. Burch with Mr. Horton. · Dirksen Johnson, Lyndon Patton Vinson, Ga. Mr. Sullivan with Mr. Ditter. Dough ton Johnson, Okla. Peterson, Fla. Voorhis, Calif. Mr. Pace with Mr. Bradley of Michigan. Doxey Jones, Tex. Peterson, Ga. Wallgren Mr. Romjue with Mr. Schiffier. Duncan Kefauver Pierce Walter Mr. Buck with Mr. Fish. Dunn Keller Pittenger Warren Mr. McArdle with Mr. Jennings, Elliott Kennedy, Martin Poage Weaver Mr. Disney With Mr. Routzahn. Ellis Kilday Ramspeck West Mr. Fitzpatrick with Mr. Thomas of New Jersey. Ferguson Kleberg Rankin Whelchel Mr. Sheridan with Mr. Chiperfield. Fernandez Lanham Richards Whittington Mr. McGranery with Mr. Glllie. Flaherty Lea Robertson Williams, Mo. Mr. Byron With Mr. Johns. Flannagan Leavy Robinson, Utah Zimmerman Mr. Green with Mr. Kean. Folger McCormack Rogers, Okla. Mr. Merritt with Mr. Darrow. Ford, Miss. McGehee Satterfield Mr. Kee with Mr. Englebright. Ford, Thomas F. McMillan, John L. Scrugham Mr. Sweeney with Mr. Reece of Tennessee. NAY8-227 Mr. Polk with Mr. Seccombe. Mr. Coffee of washington With Mr. Woodruff of Michigan. Alexander Elston Kinzer Reed,N. Y. Mr. Harter of Ohio with Mr. Leland M. Ford. Allen, lll. Engel Kirwan Rees, Kans. Mr. Houston with Mr. Risk. AJlen, Pa. Evans Kitchens Rich Mr. Smith of Dlinois with Mr. Schafer of Wisconsin. Andersen, H. Carl Faddis Knutson Robsion, Ky. Mr. Mitchell with Mr. Lemke. Anderson, Calif. Fay Kocialkowski Rockefeller Mr. White of Idaho with Mr. Buckler of Minnesota. Andresen, A. H. Fenton Kramer Rodgers, Pa. Andrews Flannery Kunkel Rogers, Mass. Mr. JACOBSEN changed his vote from "yea" to "nay.'• Angell Fulmer Lambertson Rutherford Arnold Gamble Landis Ryan The doors were opened. Austin Gartner Larrabee Sabath The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. Ball Gavagan LeCompte Sacks The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. WARREN) . The question Barnes Gearhart Lesinski Sandager Barry Gehrmann Lewis, Colo. Sasscer now occurs on the motion of the gentleman from Missouri Barton, N.Y. Gerlach Lewis, Ohio Schaefer, lll. [Mr. CANNON] that the House insist upon its disagreement to Bates, Ky. Geyer, Calif. Luce Schuetz the Senate amendment. Bates, .Mass. Gifford Ludlow Schulte Beam Gilchrist Lynch Schwert The motion was agreed to. Bell Goodwin McAndrews Seger The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the Bender Graham McDowell Shafer, Mich. Blackney Grant, Ind. McGregor Shanley next amendment in disagreement. Boehne Gregory McKeough Shannon The Clerk read as follows: Bolles Gross McLaughlin Short Bolton Guyer, Kans. McLean Simpson Amendment No. 65: Page 60, line 18, strike out "$5,644,801" and Boren Gwynne McLeod Smith, Conn. insert "$6,773,093." Bradley, Pa. Hall, Edwin A. McMillan, Clara Smith, Maine Brewster Hall, Leonard W. Maas Smith, Ohio Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Brown, Ohio Hancock Maciejewski Smith, W.Va. House further insist on its disagreement to the Senate Cannon, Mo. Harness Magnuson Snyder Carlson Hart Maloney Springer amendment. Carter Harter, N.Y. Marshall Stearns, N. H. The motion was agreed to. Casey, Mass. Hartley Martin, lll. Stefan The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the Church Hawks Martin, Iowa Sutphin Clason Healey Martin, Mass. Sweet next amendment in disagreement. Cluett Hennings Mason Taber The Clerk read as follows: Cochran Hess Massingale Talle Coffee, Nebr. Hinshaw Michener Thlll Amendment No. 66: Page 60, line 19, strike out "$867,648" and Cole, Md. Hoffman Monkiewicz Thorkelson insert ·"$878,168." Cole, N.Y. Holmes Moser Tibbett Connery Hook Matt Tinkham Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Cooper Hope Murray Treadway House further insist on its disagreement to the Senate Courtney Hull Myers VanZandt Crosser Hunter Nelson Vincent, Ky. amendment. Crowe Jacobsen Norton Vorys, Ohio The motion was agreed to. Crowther Jarrett O'Brien Vreeland The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the Culkin Jeffries O'Day Wadsworth Curtis Jenks, N.H. O'Leary Ward next amendment in disagreement. D'Alesandro Johnson, lll. Oliver Welch The Clerk read as follows: Dickstein Johnson, Ind. O'Neal Wheat Dingell Johnson, W.Va. Osmers White, Ohio Amendment No. 105: Page 89, in line 21, insert the following: Dondero Jones, Ohio Parsons Wigglesworth "WATER FACILITIES, ARID AND SEMIARID AREAS Douglas Jonkman Pearson Wllliams, Del. Durham Keefe Pfeifer Winter "To enable the Secretary of Agriculture to carry into effect the Dworshak Kelly Plumley Wolcott provisions of the act entitled 'An act to promote conservation in Eaton Kennedy, Michael Powers Wolfenden, Pa. the arid and semiarid areas of the United States by aiding in the Eberharter Keogh Rabaut Wolverton, N.J. development of facilities for water storage and utilization, and for Edelstein Kerr Randolph Youngdahl other purposes,' approved August 28, 1937 (16 U. S. C. 590r-590x), Edmiston Kilburn Reed, lll. including the employment of persons and means in the Dist rict of NOT VOTING-59 Columbia and elsewhere; printing and binding; the purchase, ex change, operation, and maintenance of passenger-carrying vehicles; Boland Darrow Harter, Ohio McArdle and rent in the District of Collmbia and elsewhere, $500,000, of Bradley, Mich. Disney Horton McGranery which not to exceed $25,000 may be expended for personal services Buck Ditter Houston Merritt in the District of Columbia: Provided, Tha.,t not to exceed $50,000 Buckler, Minn. Drewry Jenkins, Ohio Miller Burch Englebright Jennings Mitchell of this appropriation shall be available for expenditure for any one Byron Fish Jensen Pace project designed in whole or in part to benefit lands by the irriga Chiperfleld Fitzpatrick Johns Polk tion thereof, and all project facilities and appurtenances which de Clevenger Ford, Leland M. Kean Rayburn pend for their utility in whole or in part upon each other or upon Coffee, Wash. Gillie Kee Reece, Tenn. any common fac1Uty shall be deemed one project, and the authority Collins Green Kennedy, Md. Risk contained in said act shall not be deemed to authorize the con Crawford Halleck Lemke Romjue struction of any project not in accord with this limitation." LXXXVI--545 8666 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move that the taking sooner has given us this great army, who have been House further insist on its disagreement to the Senate referred to as the children of the Grapes of Wrath. amendment. With a better understanding of this subject, I am hopeful Mr. LEAVY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a preferential motion the House-and I assure you that it is in the interest of which I send to the Clerk's desk. economy-will vote in favor of the motion to recede and The Clerk read as follows: concur. Mr. LEAVY moves that the House recede and concur in Senate I feel an unusual interest in this matter-not that it affects amendment No. 105. · my district to any great degree, but because as a member of Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes the subcommittee that wrote this bill I was one who believed to the gentleman from ·washington [Mr. LEAVY]. in it, but believed it ought to be an activity that should be Mr. LEAVY. Mr. Speaker, this is apparently the last item carried on in the Department of the Interior under reclama in controversy in the agricultural appropriation bill. On tion. I have since found that I was in error on that point. It December 4 last I, together with the seven other members could not be carried on there, because the A. A. A. and of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Appropriations, came· Farm Security are the big factors in this program. When back to begin consideration of this bill. It looks now as someone gets up here and tells you; as probably they will, that though we have reached the place where we carr write finis the major part of this money is being spent for salaries, to it as far as we are concerned. This water-facilities item remember that this is money for supervisory work only. It is the last in this conference report in disagreement. affects 20,000 drought-stricken farmers; and who knows when this drought region will strike further east? As a This item affects the 17 Western States. Every State lying matter of fact, there are many places now in western Minne west of the western line of the State of Missouri is affected. sota, Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas that could make good use We had this appropriation up a month ago; a record vote of this service. was taken and the vote at that time was 171 to 173. The Mr. MURDOCK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, will the gentle motion made by myself to recede and concur lost by 2 votes. man yield? At least 12 Members who voted against the motion to recede Mr. LEAVY. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona. and concur a month ago have indicated now that they desire Mr. MURDOCK of Arizona. It should be pointed qut that an opportunity to change their vote because they did not fully the West is suffering now from a more severe drought than we understand the matter. There should be no difficulty if the have ever known since the population extended into the matter is fully understood in passing this Senate amendment. \Vest. This is one of the much imperatively needed things When the matter was before us a month ago, the argument to help our farmers all through the West-more for water was presented by the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. DIRKSEN] for domestic purposes and for stock water than for irrigation. and the gentleman from New York [Mr. TABER] that we were Mr. LEAVY. Weather Bureau reports indicate that the appropriating $500,000 to be spent for salaries for employees drought has moved substantially east, even east of the Mis largely. There was no opportunity given to answer the broad sippi. River. There is an actual shortage in the rainfall this charges made by these gentlemen. The facts are that this year over the normal rainfall that· far east. I say there is money ls appropriated for the purpose of paying those who no telling when a group of farmers in western Missouri or are qualified to tell the farmers in a drought-stricken area western Iowa will want a water supply or be driven out where and how they can plan to get water to carry them entirely. A vote for my motion is a vote that means joy through and save them and the land upon which they have and happiness for thousands of our fellow citizens who, lived all their lives and on which they desire to remain. without this service, are doomed to become migrants and Instead of this being $500,000 for that purpose, it is actually lead hopeless lives of despair. [Applause.] $3,500,000 that the Government spent this year. The money [Here the gavel fell.J here involved, or a large part of it, goes to supervise that Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes work. The $3,000,000 comes largely from soil conservation to the gentleman from Montana [Mr. O'CONNOR]. and from farm security. It is repayable, and experience has Mr. O'CONNOR. Mr. Speaker, we heard here this after ~hown that it is being repaid. noon a very powerful address delivered by the ranking ma They have in the short time that this act has been in jority member of the Appropriations Committee that has effect, which is a little · over a year, salvaged or saved this conference report in hand with reference to our na almost 2,000 farmers and their families in those 17 States, tional-defense program. Everything the gentleman said re largely in the arid belt. There are 4,000 applications now garding that matter is absolutely true, but we do not want pending for this service. to sacrifice our important domestic problems which are just A representative of the Department of Agriculture, in re as serious. We have to raise the things our people need in sponse to a request, goes into western Kansas, the Dakotas, order to round out the picture. Colorado, Wyoming, or wherever it may be; he makes a Our colleagues in the Senate have a number of times re careful analysis of the situation, then he advises the farmer affirmed their belief in the soundness and desir~bility of thiS or group of farmers if it is wise at that point to attempt to program. The Senate conferees on this· item have stead get a water supply to carry them through or to attempt to fastly refused to back down in the face of an earlier decision put in a dam that must cost under $50,000, or otherwise by this House to abolish the program. It is now before us take steps to make it possible for these fine, but unfortunate, again, and I, for one, earnestly hope that this time there folks to remain on their farms. will be a favorable vote. · This money, Mr. Speaker, is repaid again by those who Throughout vast areas of 17 of our Western States water receive these benefits. When we analyze the subject briefly; is synonymous with lif.e. You have heard that before; so the question that must occur to us is: Is it better for Uncle many times, perhaps, that it has become an idle phrase. Sam to spend millions and millions of dollar-s in direct relief But I assure you it remains true, and will bear even further and to drive these poor people, who have an opportunity with repetition. Where 18, 14, 12, and even fewer inches of rain a little help, to make a home, ~nd who have a chance to live fall each year, water is a matter of the most critical impor where they have lived all their lives, or should we permit and tance to the people trying to make a living on the land. It compel them to become members of the hopeless migrant is a matter of the most critical importance to herds of cattle army and move to ~he West or back to the East, there to and flocks of sheep that must in the end help sustain our become recipients of public charity? Actual experience has po:raulation. I speak of this from experience. ·In my own proven the great value of this work. To destroy it now, State of Montana we come face to face each year with the by cutting off all appropriations, would not alone deny help dry, hard facts of drought and the tragedy of little water. to the great number who have filed applications, but it would The water-facilities program is neither lavish nor expen result in untold loss to the hundreds who are now on in sive.· The item is .for $500,000. The emphasis of the pro completed projects. The failure to initiate such an under- gram is on the construction of small water facilities-small 1940 QONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8667 but highly important improvements such as small water gotten a reply to my letter I received letters from two editors ponds; stock water tanks; small reservoirs; small pump and from half a dozen farmers telling me that this is the installations, including windmills; the development of most important item in the agricultural program, as far as springs; and small irrigation facilities, either for individual they are concerned. They had seen the report that the item families or small groups of families. A major purpose of this was beaten by three votes last time. They wrote in to program is to make it possible for farm families to become explain that the reason this money goes for supervision is self-supporting and stay off the relief rolls. Counting every that that is what the farmers want. They want technical thing, administration, transportation, technical services, assistance in laying out their contour lines for ditches, for labor, equipment, and materials, the cost of these facilities small dams, and things of that sort. They want to know the averages only in the neighborhood of $1,000 each. This is right line for their ditches to spread the water on their hay not a program of monumental dams, vast irrigation systems, bottoms and the correct face and back slope and the safe or power. It aims to provide carefully planned small water height for their dams so they will not wash out. facilities in order to achieve wiser use of the land over a The farmers themselves are doing the work, and if we can long period of years. And, through wiser use of the land, it expend $500,000 and have it multiplied by the farmers doing improves distinctly the welfare of the people who live on their own work under this program or by using, if they have the land. to spend money, their Triple A checks, or something of that The money is not spent willy-nilly to build a puddle here sort, we ought to do it. We are only asking for $500,000 to and a windmill there. Each facility is planned and installed provide engineering and technical assistance ahd what wells on the basis of the best possible use of the entire farm or or other facilities that can be financed when the farmers are ranch. Along with the water facilities goes soil and water willing to do their own work. I have newspaper articles and conservation. There is a definite decrease in waste-waste I have letters in my office which I would be pleased for any of water, waste of land, waste of manpower, waste of pro one to see showing that this is a case where the farmers duction capacity, and waste of money. By some this pro themselves are doing the work, and that if this fund, pri gram has been criticized on the grounds that it is slow. marily, seems to go to overhead administration or supervision The prompt and complete answer to that kind of criticism it should to multiply the results obtainable. [Applause.] is that well-planned, permanently useful work is far better, [Here the gavel fell.] far less expensive, and far more desirable in the long run Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 min than comparatively fast, "hit or miss" projects that have utes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. JoNES]. neither present nor future value. Mr. JONES of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I feel that if mY During the short time this program has been under way, friends who are opposing this item could be out in the installations have been completed, or well started, which in great West when one of the great droughts appear, they the end will benefit more than 1,200,000 acres. Every one of would not oppose this ·appropriation. I have seen the hot these facilities will aid in bringing about wiser and more winds come and sweep with a blistering trail across the profitable use of the land. prairies of that great country, the heavens become brass, The item, gentlemen, is $500,000. With it we can con and the earth as iron, and people were very much tinue a program which is producing results of permanent discouraged. value to the Nation and to the people and agriculture of the It is a great country, it is the bread basket of America, West. If we fail to approve this item, much of the good but there are periods when water is truly the life of the land. work already done will suffer, for it is naturally impossible In most of that area, I know in the southwestern area, the to clear water rights, make plans, and co~truct many facil average annual rainfall is 21 inches per year over a 30- or 40- ities, all within a single year. But, more important, it will year period. That is enough to make a crop if the water is be the people who are trying to make a living, at an Amer properly handled, but.when the land becomes as hard as iron ican standard, on the dry lands-of the West, who will suffer and the rain comes in a flood it rushes off, 80 or 90 percent if this item fails. of it, ·and they do not get the advantage of it. I cannot overemphasize the importance of this item to the When they hold the water there, through furrows in the farmers and stockmen of the West. It means securing pasture and contouring of the land and through the use of water for livestock, pasture, and gardens. This goes to the wells and small ponds, the land produces. I have seen vitals of the whole existence of our Western States. I ap projects of several thousand acres including a ·number of peal to the Members of this House this afternoon to stand farmers that had the benefit of this furrowing and contour by the farmers of these 17 Western States who are trying to ing, and this expert atlvice and engineering where the grass carve out a living in that arid country and give them a would be twice as good and the crops twice as good, where chance to retain their homes and live as human beings. the rainfall was the same, but where they had properly [Applause.] utilized the water. [Here the gavel fell.J I have had these farmers come to me and say, "Is there Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes not some way we can get the Department to send the engi to the gentleman from South Dakota [Mr. CASEJ. neer or some one to show us how? We will do the work. Mr. CASE of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I believe the We want to get our land and our water and our crops Members probably ha.e come to the point where they can saved." Now, this is heart rending, but it is true. I do not recognize that when an item comes up concerning water in believe there will be $500,000 spent by this Government this the West the gentleman from Washington, the gentleman year that will do as much as this $500,000 will do. from Montana, the gentJ.eman from Arizona, the gentleman It is easy for those who have never faced the blazing and from Kansas, the gentleman from Nebraska, and a few suffocating drought to take water for granted, to refer to others of us will be up here fighti.ng for a little water. That frog ponds, and to the field men who are doing this grand is again true this afternoon. job as bureaucrats, and to make light of the parching thirst This item is a $500,000 item. It was sent up by the Bu of land and people. But let the Missouri or some other reau of the Budget. It is not in excess of the Budget. The great river go on a rampage, and they cry out for help and Senate has insisted upon this item going in the bill. get it. And they should. But how much better it is to use I know the argument that will be presented before this the water to slake human and natural thirst, before it debate is concluded, that too much of this money is spent reaches the flood stage. for overhead and not enough in the field. I was impressed Mr. MURDOCK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, will the gentle- by that argument somewhat myself the last time this issue man yield? · was before us. To get the facts on the case, I went back to Mr. JONES of Texas. I yield. the people who are working in the field. I wrote some of Mr. MURDOCK of Arizona. The gentleman from Nevada the editors of newspapers in the territory in my district [Mr. ScRUGHAMJ told me that on one occasion when the land where this program is being carried on. Before I had even on which he lived was so dry they were digging wells, trying 8668 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 to get water for the stock, that one scientific man came from our colleagues seem to wholly misunderstand the program. Washington, found water, 17 wells were sunk, and in every It is truly a worth-while ~rogram, and it must be continued. case they found water for the keeping of their livestock. Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes Now that' man is worth while. to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. VAN ZANDT]. Mr. JONES of Texas. I thank the gentleman. Mr. VANZANDT. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if my colleagues Some reference was made to the item of traveling. As a will bear with rrie for a moment or two while I read a paper matter of fact, when you are in the country you must do .released from the American Legion headquarters. There is some traveling. Many of these farmers only want somebody no group in the United States who understands war any bet to show them how to do the work and save this water for ter than do the veterans of the last war, and today, one of the themselves and save their country. It will save the Govern great veterans' organizations who speak for the veterans of ment many millions of dollars in the long run. It is like this country is the American Legion, and I read to you the preventive medicine. It is conservation in the truest and statement issued this morning from the Legion headquarters finest sense. The work should go forward. It means much by 0. K. Armstrong at Springfield, Mo.: to the entire West, to the land, to the people, and to the AMERICAN LEGION AND WAR IN EUROPE Nation. THE AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. THOMASON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? Statement issued from American Legion Headquarters, Washing Mr. JONES of Texas. I yield to my colleague from Texas. ton; 0. K. Armstrong, of Springfield, Mo., member of the Foreign Mr. THOMASON. This program has been under way for Relations Committee, declares that the hour has struck for the about 3 years and is now in full swing. This is a very American Legion to take a stand against involvement of the United States in war. Mr. Armstrong, magazine writer, conferred last week modest sum, and it is all for administrative purposes. Is it with National Commander Raymond J. Kelly and with Foreign not a fact that if this appropriation is denied that this great Relations Chairman Wilbur Alter. work will have to fold up? The hour has struck for the American Legion to take a Mr. JONES of Texas. Certainly, that is true, and it would vigorous stand and assume leadership to keep this country be a great loss to the country. Oh, if people only under from involvement in war. stood what water conservation means to the rich western The program of the American Legion, from resolutions of land and to our future foc;>d supply, the vote would be past national conventions and committee actions, stands unanimous. squarely for keeping our country at peace through a strong [Here the gavel fell.] national defense and noninterference in the quarrels of other Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes nations. Legionnaires everywhere should make an effort to to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. DIESl. carry out the mandate of the last national convention in Chi Mr. DIES. Mr. Speaker, if the House will indulge me for cago, which reads: a very few minutes, I would like to read a message from a PREVENT INVOLVEMENT IN THIS CONFLICT French labor leader, that appears in the afternoon paper. We not only believe that this Nation need not become involved Speaking of the procession of thousands of refugees fleeing but insist and demand that the President of the United States and from France, he sent this message to America: the Congress pursue a policy that, while preserving the sovereignty and dignity of this Nation, will prevent involvement in this conflict. "I wonder," said the labor leader, "whether you will ever see anything like that in America. For your sake, I hope you never National Commander Kelly has repeatedly stressed tliat our shall." security and that of our hemisphere are our primary concern. Then, apparently more to himself than to me: . "That"-pointing to the tragic processions below-"is one of the It is time for the Legion to rally behind him to a man in his things that democracies must learn how to avoid. It is a result recent declaration that it is idle to consider the feasibility of of a combination of many things--of Trojan horsemen and 'fifth intervening in the great conflict across the Atlantic. columnists,' of actual enemies, secret and avowed, undermining a countx:y from within. LEGION COMBATING ALL PROPAGANDA "It is also the result of the mistake made by sincere sup The Legion program cails for combating all propaganda porters of democracy who, while pursuing ends desirable in them designed to break down our neutrality. If any who plead for selves, wholly forgot that without adequate national defense the our participation in war do so with the hope of profit of any social gains, however marvelous, were doomed to be lost, and much more with them. kind, financial, industrial, political, or any other, they should "What a lesson this should b·e for the future--for America and be branded as enemies of our American homes, institutions, for democracy in general. The democracies have a tremendously and ideals. difficult problem ahead, but it must be sol_ved if any of them is to survive. They must find a way to make capital, labor, and gov We need sane thinking and fast, calm, silent action.. A ernment all realize that the general good of one is inseparably strong man well armed needs no hostile and bitter words to bound up with the good of the others. assert his defense. "They must find a way to prevent Trojan horsemen and 'fifth We must halt the cultivation of the feeling that war in columnists' from using free institutions to destroy those same It institutions. What I mean is that, in Germany and Russia, there evitably awaits us. is the American tradition to create is no such thing as freedom of speech and assembly and religion good will among men and nations, and the American Legion no civil liberty. Those expressing views contrary to the idea of should take the lead now as never before in continuing that the governments are promptly liquidated. tradition. As a nation intent upon preserving democracy, "Yet agents of Hitlerism and Stalinism, paid and unpaid, have been given free rein in countries like mine--and yours-where they we shall need all the friendship of foreign governments and invoke the very freedoms they seek to destroy, in order to conceal peoples we can find. • their nefarious activities. In recent conferences with National Commander Kelly and "Of course, the solution is difficult, but it must be found as a Chairman Alter I have pledged my time and energy to this matter of sheer self-defense in such a world as this." task. I hope my fellow Legionnaires will do likewise. I hope that the administration will cooperate with us in The greatest contribution the veterans of the last World getting a solution of this problem before adjournment. War can make to America and the world is to preserve our [Applause.] Nation on guard and at peace. [Applause.] Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 min gentleman from Texas [Mr. MAHON]. utes to the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. FERGUSON]. Mr. MAHON. Mr. Speaker, this question has been rather Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I shall not take the 3 exhaustively discussed, but I take this time to say that I minutes allotted to me. This program is not in conflict agree with the gentlemen who have spoken in favor of it, with reclamation. It consists of projects on individual and I feel that by all means we ought to allow this $500,000 farms that are surveyed and planned by this great organi to carey on this water-facilities program which has been in zation that helps to develop the facilities on the individual operation for about 3 years. I am sorry that so many of farms at small cost. The 17 States that are interested could 1940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 8669 not possibly pass this legislation, but 171 Members voted for Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the it before, and I know that this House will have enough yeas and nays. national interest to agree to this motion to recede and The yeas and nays were ordered. concur. The question was taken; and there were-yeas 198, nays Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes 147, answered "present" 3, not voting 83, as follows: to the gentleman from New York IMr. TABER]. [Roll No. 158] Mr. TABER. Mr. Speaker, this calls for an expenditure YEAS--198 of $500,000 to operate a group of bureaucrats. In 1939, the Allen, m. Dickstein Jones, Tex. Pearson last fiscal year, they spent $52,000 for traveling expenses. Allen, La. Dies Kefauver Peterson, Fla. Andersen, H. Carl Dingell Kelly Peterson, Ga. They have a flock of automobiles chasing around the coun- Anderson, call!. Doughton Kennedy, Martin Pfeifer try. Last year they spent a total of approximately $368,000. Anderson, Mo. Doxey Kennedy, Michael Pierce This year they hope to get by with $500,000, and next year ~~.fs ~~~an ~~~ ~~::peck they want $500,000 more. Is there a man who knows any- Barden, N.c. Durham Kleberg Rankin thing about farming who has any idea that there is any Barry Eberharter Kocialkowski Rayburn farmer in this country who does not know how to build a ::!:·Ky. ~~~~~ ~=ae~ :f~~~~~ns. small dam to hold back water on his own farm? That is all Beckworth Elliott Lea Robinson, Utah they say these bureaucrats do, except to spend money for Bland Ellis Leavy Rogers, Okla. Bloom Fay Lesinski Sacks traveling expenses. It is perfectly apparent that the de- Boykin Ferguson Lewis, Colo. Satterfield velopment of wells and that sort of thing is an interesting Bradley, Pa. Fernandez Lynch Schae!er. m. . · t 11th 1 Brooks Flaherty McAndrews Schuetz t bing. But t h ey can d 0 those thmgs JUS as we emse ves, Brown, Ga. Flannagan McCormack Shanley as if they had a bureaucrat traveling around the country Buckler, Minn: Flannery McGehee Sheppard in an automobile telling them how to do it. I hope you will Buckley, N.Y. Folger McKeough Smith, conn. Burdick Ford, Miss. McLaughlin Smith, Wash. vote on this and vote no end turn it down. Burgin Fries McMillan, Clara ·smith, w. va. Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I shall take only Byrne, N.Y. Fulmer Maciejewski Somers,N. Y. Camp Garrett Magnuson South a moment or two. This is the old s h elte r belt idea. For- cannon, Fla. Gathings Mahon Sparkman . merly the Government planted trees on these dust-bowl Carlson Gavagan Maloney Spence farms free of charge and paid the farmers to fence and Carter Gearhart Mansfield Starnes, Ala. Cartwright Geyer, Calif. Marcantonio stefan tend them. Case, s. Dak. Gibbs Martin, m. Sutphin Now they are asking the Government to build ponds on casey, Mass. Gore Massingale Tarver Celler Gossett May Tenerowicz the same farms--to spend public money on privat e 1an d.- Chapman Grant, Ala. Mms, Ark. Terry not as a loan but as a gratuity, and want half a million Coffee, Nebr. Gregory Mills, La. Thomas, Tex. dollars to carry on this benevolent work. The truth is that Coffee, Wash. Griffith Monroney Thomason Colmer Guyer, Kans. Mott Thorkelson this land should never have been put in cultivation. It is Connery Harrington Mouton Tolan not suited to farming and should have been left as grazing Cooley Havenner Murdock, Ariz. Vincent, ~ty. · 1 land ·11 b If Cooper Healey Murdock, Utah Vinson, Ga. land. Farmers On thiS margma WI never e se - Costello Hennings Myers Voorhis, Calif. sustaining, regardless of how much free money the Govern- courtney Hill Nelson Wallgren ment ladles out to them year after year and especially Cox Hinshaw Nichols Walter when it is handled as the go-betweens are handling this par- g::fns ~~~~s ~~~~~ ;~fc~r ticular money. They are asking for $500,000. The break- Crosser Hope O'Connor West down accompanying the estimate shows that $360,000 of the Crowe Houston O'Day Whelchel Cullen Izac· O'Toole Whittington $500,000 will go for salaries of high-powered, high-priced D'Alesandro Jacobsen Parsons wnuams, Mo. employees, and only $140,000 of the $500,000 will ac-tually Davis Jarman Patman Zimmerman reach the farmer. In other words. this appropriation js Delaney Johnson, Lyndon Patrick Dempsey Johnson, Okla. Patton primarily to provide fat, juicy sinecures out of the Public · NAYS- Treasury at a time when the Treasury is empty and every 147 Alexander Faddis Kitchens Ryan dollar of the $500,000 must be borrowed. Allen,Pa. Fenton Knutson Sandager At Valley Forge, when the _need of the American Anny was Andresen, A. H. Gamble Kunkel Sasscer Angell Gartner Lambertson Schafer, Wis. greatest and when the fortunes of the Revolution were at the Arends Gehrmann Landis Schulte lowest ebb, such few cattle as they were able to obtain for the Austin Gerlach Luce Schwert depleted commissary were bought from the neighboring Ball Gifford Ludlow Secrest Barnes Gilchrist McDowell Seger farmers. Barton, N.Y. Goodwin McGregor Shafer, Mich. . Among them was a cantankerous old gentleman who first Bates, Mass. Graham McLean Shannon Blackney Grant, Ind. McLeod Short agreed to sell his stock for Continental script, but, after the Boehne Gross McMillan, John L.Simpson cattle had been delivered, concluded he ought to have British Bolles Gwynne Maas Smith, Maine gold. It might have been that he fell under the influence of Bolton Hall, EdWin A. Marshall Smith, Ohio - Brewster Hancock Martin, Iowa Smith, Va. the contemporary "fifth column." At any rate he visited Brown, Ohio Hare Martin, Mass. Snyder camp and created considerable disturbance over the price of Bryson Harness Mason Springer Burch Hart Michener Stearns, N. H. his beef. Finally he was taken to Washington and Washing Byrns, Tenn. Harter, N.Y. Monkiewicz Sweet ton listened to him patiently and then said, "Here we are, Cannon, Mo. Hartley Moser Talle striving our utmost to maintain harmony, drill an army, and Church Hawks Murray Tibbott Clark Hess O'Leary Tinkham establish the independence of the Colonies and you come rush Clason Heffman Oliver Treadway ing into camp bawling, 'Beef, beef, beef.'" Claypool Holmes O'Neal Van Zandt Cluett Hull Osmers Vorys, Ohio History repeats itself, and at a time when the entire Nation COchran Hunter Pittenger Vreeland is cooperating on a defense program and exerting every en Cole, Md. Jarrett Plumley Ward ergy to maintain the independence Washington established, Cole, N.Y. Jeffries Polk Wheat Crowther Jenks, N.H. Rabaut White, Ohio these gentlemen inject a discordant note-$500,000 for juicy Culkin Johnson, Til. Reed, Til. Wigglesworth jobs-and fiock to the fioor of the House bawling, "Pork, pork, Darden, Va. Johnson, Ind. Reed, N. Y. Williams, Del. pork." [Applause and laughter.] Dondero Johnson, W.Va. Rich Winter Douglas Jones, Ohio Robertson Wolcott The SPEAKER. The question is on the preferential Eaton Jonkman Rockefeller Wolfenden, Pa. motion of the gentleman from Washington [Mr. LEAVY] to Elston Keefe Rodgers, Pa. Woodruff, Mich. Engel Kinzer Rogers, Mass. Youngdahl recede and concur in the Senate amendment. Evans Kirwan Rutherford The question was taken; and on a division there were ANSWERED "PRESENT"·-3 ayes 130 and noes 92. Hall, Leonard W. Kilburn Taber 8670 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE JUNE 19 NOT VOTI;NG-83 The SPEAKER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Bell Drewry Kennedy, Md. Sabath There was no objection. Bender Dworshak Kerr Schifiler Boland Englebright Larrabee Scrugham. INVESTIGATION BY F. B. I. Boren Fish LeCompte Seccombe Mr. SABATH, from the Committee on Rules, submitted Bradley, Mich. Fitzpatrick Lemke Sheridan Buck Ford, Leland M. Lewis, Ohio Smith,m. the following privileged resolution