Evening star., 1944-03-31

This is the ideal position for a
national leader in the middle of a
great war. 1t is the only position
in which he can deal firmly with
domestic problems and make deci-
sions without regard to the political
effect upon special groups. Probably
this accounts for the fact that the
Churchill program, though unde-
niably liberal and broad, is not out
of proportion. 1t holds out no prom
ises that cannot be fulfilled, con-
templates no expenditures beyond
the capacity of the nation to bear,
keeps always in mind the necessity,
as the Prime Minister says, of max
ing both ends meet" Unless one
disregards the dangers of national
bankruptcy and rejects the idea that
debts are things which must be paid,
it is impossible not to subscribe to
the soundness of this approach
Roosevelt's Position Different.
Yet, it is not our approach. For
one thing, our national leader, being
engaged in an effort to stay in the
White House four more years, is in
no position to disclaim personal am
bition. Nor can he assert that his
course in domestic affairs is unre-
lated to its effect upon the voters.
No man who is candidate for
President can do either of these
things convincingly. 1t is equally
true that, this being election year,
members of Congress are weighing
political considerations with every
vote and act.
The result is that our postwar do
mestic program is not in proportion
at all, 1t is crude, confused and
swollen. Far too many unco-ordi-
mated persons are engaged in for
mulating it. There is a disposition
among the politicians to bid against
each other for the special groups.
In consequence, the whole vital busi-
ness of a postwar program is in an
alarming muddle, with no real lead
ership coming from any direction.
But. probably, the worst example of
politics and loss of perspective is in
the matter of soldier benefits.
Everybody wants to deal gener-
ously with the men in the services
upon their return from the war and
with the widows and dependents of
those who do not return. No one
wants to be niggardly about this.
Nevertheless, the prospect is for leg
islation which will utterly disregard
the realities. Facing an election, all
OF our elective officials now vie with
each other in heaping largess upon
the soldiers, even before the soldiers
begin to ask for anything and with
the end of the war not in sight.
The bill now pending in the SEN
ate (and assured of passage), in
farm loans, unemployment benefits,
insurance, rehabilitation, hospital
ization, disability payments, etc, ETC.,
Is estimated to cost approximately
four billions. This is entirely sep
arate from discharge pay, which will
run close to another four billion.
Thus, before Congress adjourns, So
000,000,000 will be voted for the SOL
diers, with President and members
Of Congress all rushing to get on
record as approving.
FOrerunner of Bonus Bill.
This performance would not be so
appalling If it were not recognized as
the forerunner for the big bonus bill
which already has been introduced
and will cost the stupendous sum of
30 billions. This will not be passed
at this session, but no one familiar
with the history of bonus legislation
doubts that it, or one like it, will 90
through at the next session when
the real drive will be made. The
really extraordinary thing about all
this is that no one-not even the
anti-New Deal, economy minded
Senators-has stopped to discuss
where the money is to come from.
obviously, 1t cannot come from taxes
on the higher or middle brackets,
which are already burdened to the
breaking point. The President and
Congress are still both set against
the sales tax. So, apparently, the
only means by which the money for
the gigantic soldier benefits can be
obtained is by borrowing, thus piling
1t on the massive debt which then
will be far above 300 billions.
Either we break down trying to
carry this debt and chaos ensues,
or we carry it by imposing taxes
upon the lower-income groups such
as they never had before. This, of
course, will hit the returned veterans
and hit them hard. 1t may be if
they graSped fully the facts they
would prefer a little more thought
about making both ends meet to
this unrestrained rivalry of the poll
tlcians to confer benefits during
election year.
This is written not to argue
against generous treatment of the