CONGRESS: The Legislative Week Feb. 21, 1927

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The Senate— ¶ Passed, 47 to 39, the McNary-Haugen bill, creating a Federal Farm Board equipped with $250,000,000 to buy up surplus crops (TIME, Feb. 14). Only one New England Senator, Arthur R. Gould of Maine, voted for the bill. Hostile Senators vainly denounced the McNary-Haugen experiment as unconstitutional, price-fixing, bloc legislation. (Bill went to the House, where passage seemed certain.)

¶Debated White-Dill radio bill, refused twice to send it back to conference (see p. 7).

¶ Heard that the Committee on Privileges and Elections had decided to inquire into the charges against Senator-designate and Senator-elect Frank L. Smith before making a report. Thus, it becomes certain that Colonel Smith will not be allowed to take his seat in the Senate this session.

¶ Debated McFadden-Pepper branch banking bill, prepared to vote on it.

¶ Passed legislative appropriation bill carrying $16,400,000, in ten minutes. (Bill went to the President.)

¶ Heard that Senator Norbeck of South Dakota had fractured two ribs, wrenched his shoulder, in an automobile accident on the Union Station plaza.

The House— ¶ Passed the Reed bill authorizing $250,000,000 for public buildings (mostly postoffices) throughout the land. This was $100,000,000 more than the original estimate. (Bill went to the Senate.)

¶ Passed Lenroot-Taber bill prohibiting importation of milk or cream into the U. S. except on permit from the Secretary of Agriculture. (Bill went to the President.)

¶Heard Representative Upshaw eulogize Abraham Lincoln and Prohibition; laughed as he brandished a whiskey bottle (empty) and a Bible. Said he: "Let the President and the Vice President, every member of the Cabinet, and the popular Speaker of the House, all openly and unitedly announce that they will not attend any function—social, fraternal, commercial, or diplomatic— where intoxicants are served. This would give a moral thrill that would electrify the world."