Evening star., 1947-11-18

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Republican leaders voiced their own
sharp criticisms.
Speaker Martin told reporters Mr..
Truman was asking for "a more
colossal OPA" and added the eco
nomic program has little chance for
enactment during the special ses-
sion.
House Majority Leader Halleck of
Indiana said the President had
asked Congress ito grant him die
tatorial powers"
Even Democratic Senators Thomas
of Oklahoma and Byrd of Virginia
said the program spells "regimenta-
ton"
Political Strategy" Charged.
Senator Taft charged that "polit-
ical strategy" was involved in Mr.,
Truman's speech. Declaring that
the Presidents proposals represent
final surrender to the left wing
the Ohio Senator added:
"We stand at the crossroads today
between a free America and a
planned economy. This is the last
stand of the planners who think
they know how to run the peoples
affairs better than the people can
know themselves"
Senator Taft rejected what he
said were proposals by some of his
party colleagues that the Repub-
lican controlled Congress enact the
Presidents program in order to gain
political benefit from the "confu-
sion and chaos" he said would
result.
Instead of the Presidents program
Senator Taft said, the way to con-
troll the cost of living is to slash
Government expenses, cut taxes
curtail private credit, control exports
and modify the cost of the long
range Marshall plan for economic
recovery of Europe.
Senator Taft noted that Mr.. Tru-
man asked power to extend and
strengthen controls over shipments
to foreign nations.
Why, said the Senator, he has
had that power right along but
nevertheless "he has permitted the
world to come in with the dollars
we gave them and bid up the price
of our goods"
No Objection on Stopgap.
The Ohio Senator said there is
no serious congressional objection
to the $597 100000 stopgap proposal
to furnish food, fuel and fertilizer
to France, Italy and Austria this
winter. The Senate Foreign Rela-
tons Committee begins writing a
bill on this program today.
But Senator Taft made it plain
many Republicans will fight to cut
down the $6,OOO,0O0,OO0 estimated
first-year cost of the European re-
covery program when it comes be-
fore Congress for consideration
early next year.
The Ohioan blamed Secretary OF
State Marshall for what Senator
Taft described as the continued de-
struction of industrial plants in Ger
many. He said that aid to Europe
will be completely hopeless" unless
some German industrial production
is restored.
He added 1t was most unfor-
tunate' that the President had said
nothing in his message about aid
for China, where, Senator Taft de-
clared, the fight against commun-
ism is being waged without am
muntion and with the backs OF the
Chinese people 'to the wall" Gen
Marshall has said $500, 900, 900 IN
help for China is planned.
Prolonged Controversy Seen.
Of the 10 proposals Mr.. Truman
incorporated into what he called ar
immediate anti imitation program,
prolonged congressional controversy
seemed certain to center around
these three:
|. Power to fix price ceilings on
scarce products which baslcally at
feet the cost of living or industrial
production, with such wage CELL
! ines as are essential to maintain
the necessary price ceilings"
2. Power to invoke consumer
rationing on scarce products which
basically affect the cost of living.
Both of these Mr.. Truman classed
as preparedness steps which he
said should be taken in advance OF
actual need.
3. Measures which will induce
the marketing of livestock and
poultry at weights and grades that
represent the most efficient utiliza-
ton of grain"
Credit Curbs Accepted.
Of the other seven proposals con-
gressional Republicans indicated
they may be willing to approve in
some form the following four:
/. Restoration of consumer credi
installmet buying curbs and ac'
ton to restrain inflationary banl
credit.
2. Extension of rent controls.
3. Extension of export controls.
4. Expansion of the Agriculture
Departments program o encourage
conservation practices II this coun'
| try and the authorization of meas
ures to increase foreign food produc'
ton.
Without predicting the outcome
Republicans generally said Congress
$5nTO 500