Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-07-11

Presidents. Mr. Roosevelt, who never
had to work for living and whose
money came the easy way, was the
leader of the new spending school.
He had completely discarded his
1882 fears of deficit financing and
his belief in the balanced budget, &C.
quiring in their place tolerance for
the group Of economic thinkers who
evolved the extraordinary theory
that the size of the national debt is
Of no Importance as I'VE owe 1t to
ourselves" His successor, Mr.. Tru-
man, dictinStly does not subscribe
to these ideas.
1t is true that as Senator he
supported Roosevelt measures and
policies with his vote. That was to
be expected of the kind of organiza-
ton Democrat Mr.. Truman is. He
believes firmly in following the lead
er. But those who know him best
uneQuivocally assert that he is not
Of the spending school. He got what
money he has (Which isn't very
much the hard way, and he has a
keen idea of the value of dollar
and the soundness Cfor a nation as
well as an individually of not living
beyond your means. He is, his
friends say, no penny pincher, but
he has an orderly mind. Waste and
inefhciency in the public service are
distasteful to him, and as Senator
he was critical of both.
In brief, he is unable to lose him
self in the Utopian dreams of those
advanced New Dealers who formed
the Roosevelt Inner circle" This
does not mean that Mr.. Truman
puts property rights above human
rights" which is the charge the
left-wL1g spenders always level at
anyone who calls a halt on reckless
pouring out of public funds. 1t does
mean that he recognizes human
rights are inseparably linked with
property rights. Though he has been
President less than three months,
Mr.. Truman has given such evi-
dences of his feelings along these
lines as to hold out good deal of
hope.
Chief Of these is his request of
Congress to give him a free hand in
recognizing the executive depart.
ments. He explained that he wants
to streamline the whole business
from top to bottom and that this is
the only way in which 1t can be
done. Congress probably will not act
until 1t comes back in September,
which is pity. 1t should not be
delayed. Mr.. Roosevelt, it is true,
did some recognizing under law
passed before the war, but it was
Intellectual, inadequate and its bene-
Ats have long ago been washed out
in the deluge of new agencies,
Another evidence of the Truman
tendency was his order requiring all
but six Federal agencies to reduce
their work week from 48 to A hours,
and directing the six exempted from
the order to reduce as fast and as
niue has possible. 1t is estimated
that this reduction will save ap-
proximately 5000, 900 900 a year and
thus Offset the rise in Federal pay
recently granted by Congress. In
making this reduction, President
Truman adopted suggestion made
by Senator Harry F. Byrd, who for
II years has led the fight against
governmental waste What is en-
couraging is the difference in the
Truman attitude toward Senator
Byrd and that of Mr.. Roosevelt. The
latter took Mr.. Byrd's attacks on
administration waste as personal to
such degree that nothing Mr.. Byrd
recommended stood a chance of his
approval.
The relations between Mr.. Tru-
man and Senator Byrd are excel
lent, which is an exceedingly hope
full sign, it being pretty well con-
coded that no real retrenchment
in Government can be effective
without full presidential leadership
and support. In addition, several
other things help make the prospect
for a return to financial stability
bright. One is that, with the war
over, continued high taxes are sure
TO increase popular sentiment
against waste. Another is the threat
Of disastrous imitation involved in
uncontrolled appropriations and
uncurtailed expenditures. Finally,
there is the fact that the Presidents
closest friends and advisers-in-
GLIDING Secretary of State Byrnes
believe in regaining control of
the Federal finances.
In this connection 1t is interest
ing to note that the most reckless
spender of the Roosevelt circle has
severed his connection with the
White House-Mr. Harry Hopkins.
A great deal has been written in
praise Of Mr.. Hopkins diplomatic
achievements, which 1t is impos-