Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-31
Taft Calls for Probe
OF War Expenditures;
Would Cut Employees
Democratic Leaders
Accept RooseveIt's
Economy Challenge
By the Associated Press.

~ tie HssoSidtcu FTces
A thorough-going investigation
Of the expenditure of war ap-
preparations was proposed today
by Senator Taft, Republican, of
Ohio, in response to President
Roosevelt's declaration that Con-
gress must decide where to make
economies in the new budget.
While Senators Byrd, Democrat,
of Virginia; Tydings, Democrat, of
Maryland, and Wheeler, Democrat,
of Montana predicted Congress
would accept Mr.. Roosevelts "chal-
lenge" to trim ordinary Government
expenditures, Senator Taft said he
believed the time had arrived to go
much further by shaking down some
of the war agencies to see if econ
omies could be made in that field.
THE War Production Board has
10000 employees and probably could
do a much more efficient job if it
were reorganized and had about
5000 fewer workers, Senator Taft
told reporters. Similarly, the Office
of Price Administration has 10000
employees, and it's likely that lot
of them are falling over each others
feet.
Its up to Congress now not only
to limit non-war expenditures, but
to see to it that war expenditures
ara made efficiently" he declared.
Won't Vote Blanket O. X.
AGREEING with Senator Taft, Mi
nority Leader McNary said he be-
ieved there was no doubt that Con-
gress would exhibit tough attitude
toward extravaganza anywhere it
might be found, and Senator
Thomas, Democrat, of Oklahoma,
said that as a member of the APP
propriations Committee he would
not vote for any more blanket au-
thorizations or appropriations.
IF the agencies don't know what
they want the money for. they can
wait until they find out" he de-
clared
President Roosevelt told his press
conference Tuesday that it was hard
to determine where war eXpendi-
lures left off and non-war expendi-
lures began. For that reason, he
said, the legislators would have to
decide which functions of Govern
ment should be maintained
Senator Byrd replied in a state
ment that Congress was willing to
accept this challenge, but pointed
out that the budget system creates
a dual responsibility between the
President and Congress.
Cooperation Held Better.
THE President recommends and
the Congress acts" he added
Neither can escape the, RESPONSE
bilty for extravaganza and waste
full expenditures" he asserted.
Economy, of course, can be made
much easier and accomplished much
more effectively by cooperation be-
tween the executive and the Con-
gress in this common purpose.
Il still hope that the budget sub
mitted by the President next week
will recommend sweeping economies
in peacetime agencies as well as a
reduction in the excessive admins
trative costs of war agencies, but in
any case I predict a determined
effort will be made in Congress to-
ward retrenchment without inter-
ference with those expenditures es-
sential for our earliest possible vic
tory"
Senator Tydings said he inter-
preted the Presidents remarks as
meaning that Congress would get
no help from the White House in
cutting non-war expenditures.
Asserting that the day of the
rubber stamp Congresses is over"
Senator Wheeler forecast great
Tightening up of the Federal purse
strings"
Extreme Watchfulness" Urged.
He said the next House and Senate
would approve whatever funds the
Army and Navy showed they needed
to prosecute the war effort, but pre-
dicted extreme watchfulness" over
what he described as nom essential
appropriations.
1t might be good idea, Senator
Wheeler added, for congressional
appropriations committees to have
investigating stats to keep check on
the manner in which Federal money
Is spent.
Then" he said, I'VE would not
have to take the word of some
bureaucrat as to the amount of ap-
preparation his department really
needed"
Senator Wheeler predicted that
funds for many agencies in the
executive department of the Gov
eminent will be cut to the bone.
He also suggested it might be a
good thing to create a special joint
committee from both Houses to
study lease-lend administration.
ut is my opinion said the Mon
tanan, that some of the New Deal
ers want to continue lease lend
after the war. Congress will not
stand for it.
I'm the meantime, I think you
will see more than one resolu-
ton introduced soon after Congress
convenes next week calling for in
vestigation of the way lease-lend
money is being spent-how much of
1t is going where, and for what"
Savn,Ienn Cote Oo~ord