Evening star., 1944-07-30
Path-to-Peace Steps
Confront Congress as
War0utIook kBrightens
1y the Associ.t.d pr...


1y the Associated Press.
The challenge of an approach
Ing peace confronts members Of
Congress returning to Washing
ton for the opening Tuesday OF
another potentially historic ses-
sion.
With legislation governing the
termination OF war. contracts al
ready on the statute books, the
lawmakers hear pleas on all sides
for quick decisions on other major
pieces OF the legislative framework
for orderly transition from war to-
peace.
Jobs for upward o., 10, 900 900 men
In the armed forces and 10000 600
others in war industry, together
with legislative machinery for the
disposal Of $75,0oo, 900 900 worth Of
Government plants. equipment and
supplies pose problems Of unprece-
dented magnitude.
While optimism over the chance
OF an early collapse of Germany is
tempered by caution, agreement is
general that the Government can't
afford to take chances.
House Committees Called Back.
Speaker Rayburn announced in
Bonham, Tex, that all members of
the House Postwar Planning and
Legislative Committees were being
called back to Washington imme-
diately.
When Germany will collapse, no.
body knows" Mr.. Rayburn said, "but
we must be prepared for the prob
lens that will follow such a COL
lapse" Mr.. Rayburn planned to
leave for Washington today.
In the Senate, differences of
opinion over the extent of the au-
thority Congress should grant to a
projected. overall rehabilitation
agency, the amount and procedure
Tor paying unemployment compen-
sation and other details are slowing
efforts of its Military Affairs Com
mittee to agree on the final form of
q bill.
Chairman Reynolds. expressed
doubt whether he can muster a ma
jority Of the committee Tuesday to
check up on prospects for a COM
promise.
Few on Capitol Hill believe there
Is possibility of producing a quo
rum in the Senate itself for the
transaction of major business until
absent members have been notified
postwar measures are ready for
floor action.
Byrnes Sounds Warning.
War Mobilization Director James
F. Byrnes sounded warning
Wednesday that the turn of affairs
inside Germany makes early action
on rehabilitation legislation i'm
perative.
mo one can tell what is taking
place inside Germany, but there is
one thing certain - anything can
happen and we must be prepared"
he asserted.
His view was shared by Senator
Vandenberg, Republican, of Michi-
gan who summoned Republicans to
a meeting of the party's Senate
Steering Committee Tuesday to
plot course of action.
Regardless of what the House
does, Senator Vandenberg asserted,
"the Senate should proceed with its
own responsibility for reconversion
legislation" in view of sufficiently
encouraging projects" for an early
German collapse.
Would Combine Bills.
The Military Affairs Committee
has set itself the task of blending
the best features of a bill by Sena-
tors George, Democrat, of Georgia.
and Murray, Democrat, of Montana
and another sponsored by Senator
Kilgore, Democrat, of West Vir-
ginia.
The former measure would set
up an Office of Demobilization to
develop and coordinate programs
AoA AllAoliSlIlS llOlucIS VI terminated
war contracts through the transi-
ton period and chart a policy for
the disposal of surplus Government
property.
Under Senator Kilgore's bill, an
Once of War Mobilization and
Adjustment would have more far
reaching powers to achieve produc-
ton and employment by directing
the activities of all Federal agencies
having to do. with the production
and disposition of military and
civilian goods, economic stabiliza-
ton and the placement of both
servicemen and civilian workers.
THE collapse of Germany will
cut our war production needs in
half" Senator Kilgore declared.
I'm the absence Of plans to meet
this situation catastrophe eco
nomic DISCRIMINATION will result"