EMERSON EYES AG CHAIRMANSHIP

If a vacancy develops for chairmanship of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Bill Emerson is interested in the job.

The sitting committee chairman, Rep. Pat Roberts, is pondering a possible Senate run in 1996. Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, said he would like to succeed Roberts should the Kansas Republican move to the Senate.

Emerson is vice chairman of the committee.

"Farming and ranching remain the backbone of America's economic prowess, and I will continue to work with the American farmer to retain our nation's position as the global leader in food and fiber production," Emerson said.

Although Emerson was diagnosed with lung cancer last fall and continues to undergo treatment, the 15-year congressman plans to seek re-election in November.