Evening star., 1947-12-29
Truman TO Sign
'Pitifu|' Bill 10
Control Prices
Taft Says President
Is Playing Politics
In Attacking Measure
(TeIt OF Truman Statement on
Page A-6.)
BY the Associated Press

President Truman promised to
sign into law today the Repub-
lican anti-inflation bill, but he
branded it as "pitifully made
quate' to deal with the grave
peril" confronting the Nations
economy.
The President, took the unusual
course of issuing a Sunday state
ment to give his views on the in
adequacy of the Republican bill
which was designed to help in the
fight against imitation. He used
scorching words. declaring that un-
less the Republican Congress gives
him stronger weapons the country
may face "a serious depression.
Cries of politics came Immediately
from several key Republicans, led
by Senator Taft of Ohio. a CO.
sponsor of the bill, frequently his
party's spokesman on domestic is
sues and candidate for his party's
presidential nomination.
Charges Politics"
Senator Taft declared the Presi-
dent is playing all the politics he
can with high prices"
The Senator made his comment
at breakfast held in Kansas City
for him and Mrs. Taft by the Jack
son County Republican Committee.
He added that Mr.. Truman's COM
ments on the measure represented
the administration efforts to shift
the responsibility to the Republic
cans.
Present prices are due to the
policies of the Government for the
last Is years." Senator Taft told
the county committee. THE infla-
ton has been produced by the
spending policy of the administra-
ton and by more demand than
supply.
The imitation has been brought
about by the lavish use of money
and the tremendous Government
deficits"
Even greater governmental SPEND
ing, he said, is being planned.
Thus the high cost of living and
how to> bring it down sizzled as the
major political issue to start off the
1948 election year
Becomes Effective at Once.
The President left the actual
signing until today, at an hour not
specified. The measure becomes
effective Immediately upon signing.
The first official action to carry
out provisions of the measure ap-
peared likely to be an order to dis
tillers to hold their grain consump-
ton to 2,500,0o0 bushels a month
during the five weeks the bill re-
wives Mr.. Truman's wartime powers
over whisky making.
A 60-day voluntary distilling
program ended Christmas Eve with
the Government and major dis
tillers at odds over new con-
servation program
The bill also extends the Presi-
dents controls over exports and
railroad transportation and pro-
vides for voluntary food programs.
1t does not give him the standby
price-Wage control and rationing
powers he asked in his 10-point
program laid before the special
session.
Senator Taft was only one of q
number of Republican leaders who
criticized Mr. Truman's message.
Representative Wolcott, Repub-
lican, of Michigan, who sponsored
the measure along with Senator
Taft, asserted that if living costs
are not brought down "the fault will
be that of the President and not of
Congress"
Ball Scents Politics.
Senator Ball. Republican, Of
Minnesota, fellow member of the
Senate-House Economic Committee
headed by Senator Taft, said the
Presidents statement smells a bit
of politics"
Senator Dworshak, Republican, Of
Idaho contended Mr.. Truman is de
llberately trying to deceive the
American people," and House Re-
publican Leader Halleck declared
the President appears to have lost
his faith in the American voluntary
way of life"
Democrats who commented sup
ported Mr.. Truman's stand.
On the Democratic side, Repre-
sentative Spence of Kentucky, top
minority member of the House
Banking Committee. said "the Pres
ident has appraised the legislation
well. agree it is a pitiful, idle ges-
ture by the Republicans toward con-
trolling imitation"
Senator Sparkman, Democrat, Of
Alabama declared the President lis
completely right in describing this
as 'pitifully inadequate
Mr.. Truman declared in his state