Evening star., 1944-12-18

Clearly, nothing in the way o.
governmental economy that woulo
not seem trivial can be achieved
while the war is on in Europe. But
that is not the thing that most
discourages those who feel that un.
restricted waste on so vast scale
Is our gravest national danger. They
accept the war as an insurmount-
able barrier. What really engenders
pessimissim concerning this basic
and vital matter is the genera.
political atmosphere and the popu-
lar Indifference.
No Sentiment for 1t.
Certainly, it is true that at the
moment there is no vibrant public
sentiment for economy. In conse-
quence, there is no keenness for ii
In Congress. That, too, is explained
by the war. One cannot reasonably
expect the country or Congress to
become excited on this subject until
at least our most formidable enemy
has been crushed. But it does seem
reasonable to expect action along
economy lines after that goal has
been reached.
There are no indications that this
expectation will be realized. On the
contrary, there is every reason to
believe that tremendous new
spending era will be inaugurated.
Huge appropriations for new public
works, some of which already have
made their appearance, loom.
Once the Germans collapse, bill
lions for all kinds of projects will
be asked of Congress, not only by
the administration but by various
organized groups, as we'll as indi-
vidual members of Congress.
So far from planning to reduce
or cease functioning, almost every
Federal bureau has postwar plans
for expanding Not one is consid-
ering contraction. AS to appropria-
t1onS, the reason resistance either
as to their size or number seems
futile IS that practically all of them
will be hooked up one way or an
other with the returning veterans.
The reluctance of members of
Congress to vote against anything
which can be said to provide jobs
for the discharged soldiers or to
compensate them in any Of a myriad
of ways is understandable. Un-
doubtedly, it is solemn obliga-
ton, from which we should not
shrink nor quibble about the cost,
to take generous care of disabled
veterans and provide generous sup
port for the families of men who
have lost their lives fighting for
the country. @"---
But this should not be used to
cloak the passage Of utterly inde-
fensible measures.
One such has already been passed.
1t deals with the veterans not
of this but of the last war, and
1t provides pensions for the families
of every First World War veteran
whether death came as a result of
his service or whether it came long
after the war and from causes not
remotely connected Herewith.
Cost in Billions.
In brief, the widow or family of
every veteran, no matter when,
where or how he dies, is to be pen
stoned. 1t is estimated that ulti-
mately the cost Of this bill alone
would run into billions, and the
President was strongly urged to
veto it.
Already, Senate committee has
favorably reported a somewhat kin
dred proposal. That would run into
so many more billions that one hesi-
tates to estimate.
The complete impossibility of the
Nation standing up under such in
credible burdens seems clear enough
when one thinks about 1t. Yet, ex-
tremely few congressman appear
to be thinking. The number and
size of the compensation bills in
crease all the time, and no one ap-
pears willing to resist any of them
for fear he may be termed cruel
and callous toward our returning
heroes.
When these facts are considered,
plus the number of contemplated
public works appropriations, the
reason for the feeling that our ma
tional finances, which have been
partially uncontrolled for eight
years, soon will be wholly uncon-
trolled is plain.
Spending is the basic New Deal
policy, and spending is the thing
about which its labor allies are
most enthusiastic. What is particu-
larly bad about the present situa-
,tion is that the Republicans ap-
-parently have lost their zest for re-
'trenchment.
Actually, leading Republicans are
preparing a spending program of
their own. With the minority party
thus weakening on this issue, there
4 A