Evening star., 1943-09-14
Unfinished Business


from which members of Congress are
returning today, was as beneficial as
it was deserved. For many members
of Congress the recess afforded the
first real opportunity to loaf and play
since the war began. Their return
should find them refreshed by the
opportunity to see Washington as
their constituents see it and ready to
take new grip on the important
business of winning the war.
So we'll has Congress provided for
the conduct of the war, however,
that the recess might have been con-
tinued another month or so. No i'm
portant war business awaits the
members as they convene today.
They will be asked to give immediate
consideration to the May and
Wheeler proposals to prevent or de-
lay the draft Of fathers. Another
matter awaiting them is an appro-
pirate expression on our postwar pol
icy Of international collaboration to
maintain the peace after it is won.
And the third is new tax bill.
In regard to the proposals to ban
the draft Of fathers, an inquiring
Star reporter finds that many men,
bers are reserving decision until they
learn, from the Army and the Navy
authorities, the effect of Russia's
summer campaign and Italy's ca
pitulation on our military manpower
needs. That Is a reasonable and
commendable point of view. The
Congressman undoubtedly are re-
turning to Washington with many
first-hand views of the civilian man
power shortages. These should not
lead them to any hasty legislative
action that would attempt to make
up civilian shortages by limiting the
size OF the military forces, for these
needs are best defined by military
leaders.
Last June the House Foreign Al
fairs Committee did commendable
Job on a resolution outlining, in
broad strokes, the nature of our
postwar policy of international col
laboration. The Fulbright resolu-
ton, unanimously reported, is on the
House calendar awaiting action. Its
short text is repeated here:
Resolved, by the House of Repre-
sentatives (the Senate concurring)
that Congress hereby expresses itself
as favoring the creation of appro-
pirate international machinery with
power adequate to establish and to
maintain q just and lasting peace,
and as favoring participation by the
United States therein.
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations has several resolutions be-
fore 1t, but has agreed on none OF
them. They are inclined to more de-
tail than the Fulbright suggestion,
which prefers to omit precise details
concerning international collabora-
ton until the situation is clarified
by winning the war. The objective Of
any such resolution should be to
command an overwhelming majority
of votes. At this stage the principle
of cooperation, rather than the ways
and means of its expression, is the
important thing.
On taxes Congress will still have
many months before a measure is
ready. In that time the committees
will decide on the attainability of the
Treasury's goal Of twelve billion
dollars, or whether, as Senator
George has suggested, the goal must
be lowered, leaving the balance to
be raised by induced" savings or
loans to the Government.
With Treasury Form 1040-ES now
before the groaning taxpayer for
submission tomorrow, this is good
time to let the question of new taxes
vast oV,- thu cke1f wtoi1a