Evening star., 1947-01-10
Truman Budget
Is Cold Shock
BridgesAsserts
Really Out of BoIonce.
Senator Declares;
6. O. P: Whets Ak
BY J. A. O'Leory

PreSldenJ Iruman'S $37 ,52S,-
100000 budget was called a
shocking disappointment" to-
day by Chairman Bridges of the
Senate Appropriations Commit
tee, who charged it maintains
high wartime levels of spending
and taxation.
The New Hampshire Senator
served notice Congress must look
behind prof1igate spending pro-
posals, since the President seeming
ly has not. 1t must truly strive to
lower Federal spending, taxation,
debt and workers cost of living"
Democrats generally supported the
Presidents budget estimate as rep
resenting bare necessities in Govern
ment spending, but they divided on
the question of cutting taxes.
Capehart Sees Billion Cut.
Senator Capehart, Republican, of
Indiana told a reporter he believes
the Presidents figure "is $4,000, ,000,-
600 more than Congress will appro-
pirate"
mfr. Truman hasn't said anything
in any of his messages about reduc--
ing Government expenses" Senator
Capehart said. 'tOf course. we can't
reduce taxes if we spend the amount
he wants to-"
But Senator Aiken, Republican, of
Vermont opposed any tax cut until
we have balanced the budget and
have reduced the national debt by a
reasonable amount"
He said the 20 per cent cut in in
come taxes advocated by Chairman
Knutson of the House Ways and
Means Committee, is "out of the
question" Senator Aiken said that
If Congress does go through with a
tax cut I'VE will be doing well If it
averages 10 per cent"
AS for proposed expenditures, the
Vermont Senator said, II had hoped
they could be cut to about $35, ,000,- |
000, 900 instead of to $37 SOC, ,000, ,000."
McKellar Hoped for Tax Cut.
Senator McKellar, Democrat, of
Tennessee, last years chairman of
the Appropriations Committee, said
he had hoped taxes could be re-
duced"
Senator Thomas, Democrat, of
Oklahoma, said that, like Mr.. Tru-
man, he is sin favor of maintain
ing the present tax structure"
But I would VOTE" he added, "for
even higher taxes if that should be-
come necessary. While people are
prosperous they ought to pay suffl-
cient taxes to keep the country on
a pay-as-you-go basis"
Senator Murray, Democrat, of
Montana said he thinks the budget
represents "rock-bottom" expendi-
lures by the Government, adding:
1.-THE Republicans will have to give
up some essential services if they
cut it below that figure. I don't
know where they will find place to
prune, unless it is in the armed
services items"
Republicans Sharpen Knives.
Even before the budget message
ICdCAlCu Gl1C Sop1IO1 dU liOOA1, 1l1io-
ential Republicans in both houses
were sharpening their knives for the
spending figures to pave the way for
lower taxes.
In New York last night Senator
Taft, Republican, of Ohio had pro-
posed budget total four billion un-
der the figure Mr.. Truman submit
ted today.
Addressing the Economic Club,
the Ohioan also included in his leg
islative program a 20 per cent cut
in personal income taxes. Senator
Taft also predicted laws would be
passed to discourage" strikes,
Senator Bridges charged this
afternoon that the president asks
for a larger total of expenditures
for 1948 ($37 ,528 600, ,o00) than he did
in his budget message of 1947 $685.
$50 ,0o0, ,000)."
Without additional legislation
returning capital funds of Govern
ment corporations to the Treasury" :"
&C. DEpTIpT TCANC POGO A.S)