Evening star., 1947-11-01
U.S.ForeignAid
Tops 19 Billions
Now, Byrd Says
President to Get
Economic Councils
Proposals Tonight
By J. A. O'Leory


awaited a report from the Presi-
dents Council of Economic ad-
visers on the foreign aid situa-
ton, after being told by a con-
gressional committee last night
that this country has made more
than 100000 available to
help other nations since the end
of the war.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, chairman of the Joint Con-
gressional Economy Committee,
made public simple tabulation of
all funds appropriated for relief and
rehabilitation in all parts of the
world.
The Virginia Senator did not re-
veal his views as to how much more
Congress could make available this
winter without damaging home
front economy.
Report Due Tonight.
The Presidents Economic Council,
however, is reported to be ready to
advise the administration that the
Marshall plan can actually help
rather than hurt, the stability OF
American prosperity.
One official said the councils re-
port, slated to be made public tc-
night, will advise that the sending
of more American billions to Eu-
rope will not have an inf1ationary
reaction at home if it is accom-
panied by certain regulatory safe
guards. Mr.. Truman is expected to
outline his ideas on those safeguards
in a message to Congress opening
the November II session on emer-
gency foreign aid and high prices.
Other developments in the infa-
tion-European help picture:
l. The Justice Department., seek
ing to check high grain prices, an
nounced that its investigation of
speculation on commodity exchanges
will be concluded lin few days"
Grand Jury May Get Facts.
Attorney General Clark told news
men that if the inquiry discloses any
law violation he will take the evi-
dence to a grand jury.
President Truman, in announcing
the investigation recently, lashed out
against what he said was widespread
gambling In grains and fibers (pre-
sumably cotton and declared it con-
tributee to high prices.
2. Italian Ambassador Alberto
Tarchiani said his country will need
financial aid from the United States
even before Congress can act on
stops gap help for Western Europe
Senator Byrd, in reporting of the
extent of American aid since the
end of World War II, said Congress
already has authorized S4,500,000 900
in foreign relief lin the current fiscal
year and beyond before Con-
gress considers new aid for the war
stricken countries.
Of this sum, he said, nearly $780,
100000 has been earmarked fol
Russia and her satellites.
~ Billions for 8 Nations.
! Senator Byrd said current appro-
priations have set aside more than
So, 500 100000 for eight major coun-
tries of Western Europe, including
France, Italy and Germany; more
than 81 900, 100000 for China, Japan
Korea and the Philippines, and
more than $5O0000,000 for numer-
Gus small nations of the world.
Meanwhile, administration off,
Gals were considering making dol
lars as well as food and other sup
plies available to Western Europe
under the Marshall plan, to facili-
tate the exchange of goods between
the participating countries.
The suggestion that dollar aid be
granted was advanced by the Bel
gium and Dutch governments at the
16-nation Paris Conference last Au-
gust, but failed to meet with the
approval of other representatives.
Since then, however, it is under
stood that Italian and French au-
thorities are favorably inclined
toward it, but are meeting vigorous
opposition from the British. Two
meetings called since the end of the
Paris Conference have failed to
break this deadlock and as result
the proposals are unsettled.
Despite this, American Govern
ment officials said they are consider
ing the idea.