The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-07-03
Observations
Congress Eying
Surplus Property
Board

w. Stuart Symington, newly des-
fgnated chairman OF the Surplus
Property Board. will be watched
critically by Congress when ne
takes over the post vacated by
former Senator Guy NJ. Gillette
I'D OF Iowa. The three-member
board is charged with the respon-
sibility to dispose OF surplus war
goods which are estimated 10 run
into billions of dollars.
The board has been under fire
recently in Congress. In crit
licking the agency for lack Of speed
In disposing OF surplus goods, the
House appropriation committee told
board members: while the task
10 admittedly unprecedented. time
IL of the essence" The board re-
ceived a still more pointed warn
ing when the House itself voted
to give II 100000 for expendi-
lures in 1916, one third less than
requested.
The Administration is due for
trouble in its attempts to repeal
the johnson act OF 1884 which for
babe private loans to debt default.
ing nations.
When Assistant Secretary OF
State William L. Clayton appeared
before the House Foreign Affairs
Committee in SUPPORT of repeal,
Democratic congressman Joined the
Republicans in a critical examina-
ton of the administrators inten-
lions.
The administration wants to re-
woke the measure TO permit such
nations as Great Britain and
France to float loans for recon
struction purposes. Critics, how
ever, maintain this can be done
under the proposed Breton Woods
agreement, and want the Johnson
act retained to be sure other ma
lions play ball" after the war.
sss
President Humans message on
the succession to the presidency
was received with warm approval
in the House. but there is notice
ably less enthusiasm for IL In the
Senate. While many senators IN
dictate belief that the Presidents
proposal has merit. they also indi-
cate that the whole matter should
be thoroughly studied.
In a nutshell, what the President
proposed was that the speaker OF
the House should succeed to the
presidency IL both the President
and Vice President should die. re-
sign. or be removed from office.
Getting down TO cases, Speaker
Rayburn would become President,
under Mr.. Truman's proposal. IN
stead of the new Secretary of State.
The President proposed that the
President pro tempore of the Sen
ate should be next in line behind
the speaker, and then the cabinet
officers In order Of their rank.
Chairman Hatton w. Summers
Cd OF Texas of the House Judi
ciary Committee. says the commit
tee will act on necessary legisla.
ton before the summer recess. But
there is a possibility that final &C
ton on the legislation will be de-
layed until late summer or early
falkland that IL a bill is passed,
IL will differ in certain details from
Mr.. Truman's proposal.
II was a common sight in the
House Of Representatives several
years ago to see Rep. Robert +.
Rich (R) of Pennsylvania stand up,
wave a copy OF the Treasury state
ment on the national debt, and ask
his colleagues. Where will we get
the money to pay for this?" For
Congressman Rich is known as the
foremost exponent In Congress OF
economy in government.
Members, therefore, figuratively
stuck their tongues in their cheeks
the other day when Rich asked and
was granted permission 10 insert In
the Congressional Record an article
which ran more than the customary
two pages. The cost, he told the
House, would be $195.
But Rich quickly proved that he
was a man who practiced what he
preached.
eff granted permission TO insert
this In the record" he informed the
House, Il will send the public print
er my personal check for 1896"
Such action is practically unprec-
edented in Congress.