Evening star., 1947-12-26
Truman 10 Take Action
Early Next Week on
Initiation Curb Bill
BY ths Associofsd Press

President Truman will act
early next week, probably Mon
day, on the anti-infiation bill
passed by the special session OF
Congress.
Telling reporters this today. Press
Secretary Charles G. Ross said Mr..
Truman will issue IAN adequate
statement" of his views on the
legislation.
1t has been indicated the Pres
ident will sign the bill. although
he has criticized it as inadequate.
The heart of the measure Is pro-
vision for the Government to pro-
mote voluntary industry agreements
to hold down prices. Mr.. Truman
asked Congress to give him power
to put on price and rationing
controls.
Morse Predicts Stronger Law.
Some Republicans have questioned
whether the legislation will accom-
plish much. Senator Morse, Re
publican, of Oregon said he thinks
Congress will have to give the ad-
ministration a bigger economic
gun" to use against imitation, or
run the risk of an economic bust"
He predicted that many of his
COP colleagues will be more will
ing to set up stronger control
program after sounding out the
folks back home over the holidays.
The Oregon Senator also ex-
pressed the opinion that the next
session of Congress opening Janu-
arv 6 will see enactment OF some
social welfare legislation. He cited
a housing program, Federal aid to
States for education and expansion
of the social security insurance
system as among the possibilities.
Senator Morse is one of three Re-
publican Senators who voted against
the COP anti-infation bill. He was
particularly critical of the section
which authorizes voluntary industry
wide agreements designed to hold
down prices by dividing up scarce
commodities.
Favors Compulsory ALLEGATION.
Like President Truman, Senator
Morse urged that the Government
be given power to compel such allo-
cation. In addition to providing for
voluntary agreements, 1t extends ex-
port and transportation controls, as
Mr.. Truman asked.
Senator Morse said he believes
that despite voting for the "volun-
tary" bill, many Republican Sena-
tors are fearful that imitation cam
not be checked except by an eco
nomic bust, unless their party comes
forward with a program that gives
the Government an economic gun
behind the door" for use if the
voluntary approach fails.
The Republican party Senator
Morse added, will fail to fulfill its
greatest opportunity for service to
the American people if it does not
recognize that it is the duty of a
free government to set up minimum
compulsory controls to stop the un-
reasonable drive for profits. both by
individuals and big business, which
is so characteristic of this inf1a-
ton.
Il think that when the Repub-
llcan majority checks over the hol-
idays with the people back home it
will find that those of us who voted
for stronger controls were right"
Higher Minimum Wage Urged.
AS for social welfare legislation,
Senator Morse indicated belief the
GOP-controlled Congress will find
itself in the position of having to
pass some with presidential cleo
ton coming up next year.
He said that besides dealing with
housing. education and the social
security program, Congress should
increase the minimum wage, boost
living allowances to veterans at
tending school and cut taxes If this
can be done after:
l. Providing for payment Of at
least 5,000,000,000 on the national
debt.
2. Maintaining Government rev.
enue at level assuring adequate
service in such fields as health. edu-
cation. agriculture, rural electrified.
ton and reclamation
Pending legislation to provide a
system of health ana medical insur-
ance is likely to provide one of the
warmer issues OF the next session.
Taft Issues Challenge.
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio
is the sponsor of bill which would
authorize Federal grants to States
for medical care. An alternative
measure backed by Senator Murray,
Democrat. of Montana would set up
q program of compulsory health in
Surance
Senator Taft yesterday challenged
the Democrats to make an issue of
the compulsory program next year.
Il don't think the people of this
country want the RECOMMENDATION in
volved In a compulsory plan that
makes every doctor subject to Gov
erSnnent regulation, Senator Taft
said.
Senator Morse said he is opposed
to both the Taft and the Murray
plans. He predicted a compromise.
E@ananas%