Senate Fight Looms to Prevent Cut In Appropriations for Agriculture; Lilienthal Confirmation Predicted

WASHINGTON, February 23--Farm state Senators gave notice today they want funds for agriculture, as well as the armed services, in the so-called "untouchable" part of the budget when Congress swings its pruning knife.

Senator Lucas (D-III) of the Agriculture Committee told a reporter he expects a strong fight to be made for farm appropriations in individual money bills even if the Senate approves this week a pledge a cut $4,500,000,000 out of President Truman's $37,000,000,000 budget.

Strong bipartisan backing has made it almost certain the Senate will approve this pledge--$1,500,000,000 less than the House's $6,000,000,000 economy promise--when its gets around to voting. A series of proposed speeches may carry the issue through tomorrow's session and over until Wednesday.

A vote by midweek would send the budget ceiling resolution to conferees from the two chambers for a settlement of differences.

No matter what the final economy promise is, Lucas said Congress is morally bound to carry out obligations to support farm prices for the next two years under the program it adopted previously. This would not cost much if prices stay up, but Lucas noted that no one knows when a dip way come.