Compromise in Anti-Meese Filibuster Near

The Reagan Administration neared agreement today with Farm Belt senators whose filibuster over the farm credit crisis snarled action on the nomination of Edwin Meese III as attorney general and a $7-billion highway bill.

A meeting to draft an improved package of farm credit aid broke up without agreement and the filibuster continued, but senators on both sides of the 2-day-old standoff were optimistic that agreement will be reached at a later session.

“If I was optimistic last night, I’m a little more optimistic today,” said Sen. David L. Boren (D-Okla.), one of the filibuster leaders.

Participants said the proposed improvements included written assurance that the Administration will provide adequate money for both direct and guaranteed farm operating loans, money that would be used for spring planting. Such assurances have been given repeatedly and publicly by Agriculture Secretary John R. Block over the last several weeks.

Conditions Reviewed

Also under review were the conditions that farmers must meet to receive federal loan guarantees--specifically whether they would have to show that they have more money coming in than they need to pay loan obligations and meet living and operating expenses.

Even supporters of the emerging compromise said it is primarily an effort to enforce existing promises on farm credit. “This kind of puts their feet to the fire,” said Sen. Mark Andrews (R-N.D.). “There isn’t that much new.”

Assistant Republican Senate leader Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming vowed to keep the Senate in session through Saturday if it does not resolve the Meese issue. He charged that the filibuster poses a threat to the authority of the new Senate leadership because the impasse is unrelated to the Meese nomination.