Evening star., 1945-12-16

COP FumbIes Chance
On Deficit Spending
Commentator Suggests Study OF
Economic Realities
BIZ RAYMOND Moley

Commentator suggests STUDY OK
Economic Realities
By Raymond Moley
Neither the Republican members Of
Congress, In their recent statement Of
principles, nor the Republican National
Committee, In its sessions In Chicago.
seemed to recognize the best and most
useful issue that they can use in next
years bid for power. They have utterly
missed the boat on the Federal budget.
All that the Republican declaration
said was this: "The solvency of our
Government must be assured Outlay
must be brought in line with income.
The value of the dollar must be main
tanned.
Economy in Government spending
must be achieved. Extravagant Gov
ernment spending now advocated by the
Administration In every field can lead
only to ruin. Programs involving ex-
penditure Of Federal funds should not
be undertaken unless the justification
therefor Is clearly established"
These are good words and they are
true. But they suggest nothing so
much Is the mumbling of an old man
about matters over which he has no
control and about which he is incapable
Of doing anything. They are not words
which suggest that the people who Ut
tered them are going to do anything
about solvency and budget balancing.
And yet, the facts and the political
possibilities and probabilities would
justify something like this:
I'VE propose to provide leadership
in Congress and bring solvency back to
America. We oppose deficit spending
and we know how to bring it to an end.
The party in power is hopelessly divided
between New Dealers, who favor per-
petual deficit spending, and those who
favor economy. We can and will pre-
sent the facts, sponsor the measures
and provide the votes to bring the Fed
eral budget into balance at 4 date posi-
lively and materially earlier than has
been admitted possible by any respon-
sible member OF the administration"
X
Having done that, the Republican
National Committee should set to work
a small group Of competent people and
present, Immediately after the introduc-
ton of the Presidents budget message
in January, the facts and figures which
should be the guide and objective of
the Republican party in Congress in the
next session.
This statement is not based on mere
guess. 1t is in line with facts which
any one with energy and enterprise can
get for himself. For the financial status
OF this country is better than most
people believe it is. The administration
knows that it is. And while the Re
publican party is still uttering general
tiles. the President and his administra-
ton will announce program which will
win decided political advantage in
1916.
This incapacity of the Republican
party to offer leadership in bringing the
country out of fiscal wilderness has
been evident for long time. Mean
while, that part of the country which
really has an interest in economy, Ell
cheney and sound fiscal policies has
turned for relief and inspiration to
conservative Democrats. 1t has turned
to the valiant Senator Walter F. George,
to the hard-working Senator Harry F.
Byrd and, at times, to Chairman Robert
L. Doughton of the House Ways and
Means Committee. Again and again,
such Democrats as these have made
successful fight for some desir-
able tax or appropriation measure,
and Republicans have offered little to
the battle except to follow the lead and
supply the votes. This has happened
SO often that it seems to be taken for
granted that such relief as the country
is to get must come from Democrats,
not Republicans.
1t will be argued by Republican leaders
that they are handicapped in fiscal
matters by the fact that the admins
tration has all the figures and that only
such Democratic committee chairmen as
Senator George or Representative
Doughton have ready access to these
ngures. To degree, this is true. An
administration in power for IL years
is in . formidable position in disputes
ON fiscal policy. That was true in the
1882 campaign, when Candidate Roose-
velt was on the attacking side.
But enough facts are available tc
enable the Republican leaders in Con.
gress to seize this moment to lead q
swing to solvency. The fact that such a
swing needs but little acceleration does
not alter the political benefit they might
get by leading it. 1t looks now as il
they had fumbled their great chance.
| nate the struggle while the I1pi+ed