Evening star., 1947-09-07

In any event, the country Sho1
standing of world problems the ira
are certain to gain from direct ex-
posture to conditions abroad.
An unofficial tabulation. compiled
with no assurance that it Is COM
plete, shows some 1859 members OF
Congress-122 from the House and
At from the Senate-hsted for visits
abroad this fall, all the way from
Berlin to Tokyo. They will be ac-
companied by congressional commit
tee employees numbering around 38
And in some cases the wives of the
lawmakers are going along.
Worth the Trouble
For some of the trips, like one to
Hawaii, and couple to Alaska, the
Senators and Representatives in
volved have no one to blame but
themselves.
Some others we're arranged at in
vitation of the State and War De-
partments, deeply concerned that
Capitol Hill should have a first
hand picture of some of the prob
lens they are up against all over the
world.
1t has been the experience of the
executive departments involved in
world affairs that it is difficult to
put over a full understanding OF
some complex aspects of foreign
policy, especially in the economic
field, to members of Congress who
never have been abroad. On the
other hand, those who have seen
conditions in other parts of the
world for themselves generally have
better basis for realistic grasp
of international problems as they
arise. 1t doesn't always work. but
it does in enough cases for the State
War and Navy Departments to be
glad to 60 to the trouble OF helping
arrange foreign travel for members
of Congress.
Probably the most important
single Congressional mission abroad
this year is that of the so-called
Herter Committee. This is a spe-
cial committee of 18 House men,
bers, headed by Representative
Herter, Republican, of Massachu-
setts, now in Europe to study the
actual and prospective needs of
European peoples for American eco
nomic assistance. Its report un-
doubtedly will have lot to do with
congressional action on the So
called Marshall plan for compre-
hensive assistance to those Euro
pean nations which join together to
help themselves to the fullest extent
possible. g.
Economy Studied
Arriving in London last week, the
Herter Committee went on to Ger
many and then split into six groups
for a concentrated study of eco
nomic problems throughout West
ern Europe. One group or another
will visit through the American and
British occupation zones in Ger
many, Vienna. Prague, Paris, Brus-
sells, The Hague, Luxembourg
Rome, Milan, Trieste, Athens
Geneva and Warsaw as well as Lon
don again before the committee re-
turns to the United States next
month.
Closely tied in with the work OF
the Herter Committee is that of q
House agriculture subcommittee on
food shortages. headed by Repre-
sentatives Andersen. Republican, oi
Minnesota. This group Of sever
House members includes three who
also are members of the Hertel
Committee. Its aim is to tnvesti-
gate food and agricultural problems
affecting the occupied zones ir
Europe. This investigation will take
members Of the group through the
western zones Of Germany and
Austria, and to Copenhagen, Stock
holm, The Hague, Brussels, Paris
Rome and Geneva.
The subject getting the widest
congressional interest, if the num-
ber of investigating groups is any
criterion, Is the status of American
military establishments and occu-
pational problems generally In the
occupied areas.
The House Armed Services and
Appropriations Committees have
joined forces to send one investigat-
ing group to Europe and another to
Pacific areas to look into the situa-
ton in the occupied zones. The
Senate Armed Services and Appro-
priations Committees have sched-
uled similar but separate investiga-
tions in Europe, and the Senate
Armed Services Committee is send
ing another group to the Pacific.
Pacific Itinerary
Eighteen House members are
tentatively lined up for the House
Armed Services Appropriations in
vestigation in Europe and around
the Mediterranean. They are
scheduled to visit Germany, Austria,
Trieste, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Egypt,
Tripoli, Tunis, Rome, Geneva, Paris
and London during the next six
weeks, travelling by Army Air Trans
port Command plane.
Eight other members of the two
committees plan to take of Sep
tember 18 for Honolulu, Kwajalein,
Guam, Tokyo, Korea, Peiping, Using
Tao, Shanghai, Okinawa and
Manila, travelling in Navy and
Army planes.
Much the same ground will be
covered by the Senate Armed
Services and Appropriations Com
mittees. A 12-man Senate Armed
hoaInd hy