The Union Daily Times

Coolidge Favors Farm Relief

Washington, March 21.—President Coolidge, at a conference tonight with Republican house leaders, expressed the desire to have some form of farm relief legislation enacted before the close of the present session of congress.

The legislative situation generally was discussed and Mr. Coolidge's callers said they were convinced that congress could adjourn before the June convention.

The president was told that the house would rush action on appropriation bills, dispose of the Johnson immigration bill and before the end of the session take up a measure providing for a readjustment of salaries of postal employees.

The discussion was at a White House dinner conference arranged to consider the possibility of speeding up the legislative program in the house and followed a day during which the president saw several senators on the situation in that branch of congress.

After the dinner tonight House Leader Longworth asserted that, regardless of the fate of the tax bill, congress would authorize a 25 per cent reduction in income taxes, payable this year. He predicted also that the senate and house would be able to agree on rate schedules in the revenue measure in time to permit enactment of the bill before June 1.

Asked whether any indication had been given by the president as to whether he would approve the tax or bonus bills if they were sent to him substantially as passed by the house, Mr. Longworth said that Mr. Coolidge had given no inkling of his views. The Republican leader added, however, that he thought it would be “very much worth while” to send both measures to the White House.

Although President Coolidge emphasized the desirability of congress providing some measure of relief for the farmers, he is understood to have expressed no opinion as to the exact form the legislation should take.

Various proposals pending before the house agriculture committee were discussed and the president was assured that a relief measure would be reported shortly.