Evening star., 1937-05-02
Economy
Continued From First Page.)

sentative Rayburn Of Texas, the DEM
ocratic floor leader.
Rayburn said the inapounding plan
would enable the President to make
slashes where they would do the most
good and the least harm.
Hesitates on 10 Per Cent Slash.
Speaking, he said, as an average
member of Congress, the Texan as
serted he did not know enough about
operations Of Government establish
ments to be able to vote intelligently
for 10 per cent horizontal reduction.
Such a cut, he said, might stop
necessary Government activities.
Senate Majority Leader Robinson
j contrast, said in a statement the
Cannon plan would impose IAN i'm
possible task upon the Executive" :"
invite competition among various
Federal departments, and probably
result in very small savings"
Senator steiwer Of Oregon, Repub-
lican member of the Appropriations
Committee, gave another view, saying:
Il have no patience with the
optional impounding plan. If the
President wants to impound part of
the appropria tions, he can anyhow.
Congress does not spend money. Ex-
cept for the legislative branch, it
merely makes money available and
the uneXpended balances that fire.
Quently come before the committee,
to be continued available, show that
all Of an appropriation does not have
to be spent.
Il have never liked the idea of the
general 10 per cent cut because it is
unscientific, but it may be the only
way we can approach the problem,
and if it is I'll support it,
Cannon Argues Other Side.
Representative Cannon argued the
other side of the question, declaring
there is no statutory law authorizing
the impounding of appropriations.
4ranting that departments do not
have to spend all of their appropria-
tions. Cannon predicted a saving
would not be effected unless Congress
specifically provides for the impound-
ing. AS to the discretionary power
for the President to release the i'm
pounded money, the Missourian said
it would leave a way OF providing
for unusual conditions that might
arise during the fiscal year.
Contending some items cannot be
cut a penny, while some others could
be cut Is per cent or more" Cannon
said he believes his plan would be
more adjustable to conditions than
the mandatory 10 per cent.
He expressed the belief, however,
that there is general support for econ
omy and that it will be accomplished
because the budget was prepared at a
time when higher internal revenue
collections were expected" He said
the only question is one Of procedure.
Senator Robinson, in reiterating his
preference for the 10 per cent cut in
all except fixed charges, predicted it
would encounter less difficulty than
other pending proposals.
Common Purpose Held.
He took occasion to declare he would
not contribute to any discussion de-
signed to place proponents Of different
plans In an attitude of antagonism
toward one another. He also said he
does not feel "the situation justifles
the conclusion that there exists any
division of opinion on the subject
which may not be worked out to a
wise conclusion. AL have the same
purpose in view and the only question
that arises is to reach an adjustment
which will be workable and reason
able"
McKellar, who originated the 10 per
cent cut idea five years ago during the