Evening star., 1947-03-16
|G. 0. P. Policy Makers
Favor Senate Probe
|0f Posimasterships
BY J. A. O'Leory

Senate Republican leaders took
steps yesterday to find out If any
Republicans have been discrimi-
mated against in the selection of
postmasters by President Truman
this year.
The Republican Policy Committee,
headed by Senator Taft of Ohio, ap-
proved in principle resolution pro-
posing the postmastership investi-
cation.
This development broke week
| end lull on Capitol Hill, as both
houses marked time until tomorrow
on rapidly mounting program of
business. which includes:
Making start on legislation to
aid Greece and Turkey; drafting
of a House bill to cut income taxes;
extension of sugar control beyond
March 81; Senate passage of a
House bill to outlaw most portal
pay suits, and a Senate fight over
confirmation of David E. Lilienthal
as head of the Atomic Energy Com
mission.
Senate Debate Unlimited.
On the Senate side the outlook is
not bright for speedy action, be-
cause of unlimited debate. The
House, which allots a fixed time for
debate on all major bills, will make
steady progress as each measure
comes from committee.
When the Senate reconvenes to-
morrow the portal pay measure will
be pending, with indications a final
vote may not be reached before
Wednesday.
Next on the Senate list is the
Lilienthal nomination, and Senator
Hickenlooper, Republican Of Iowa
leader of the pro-Lilienthal forces
was optimistic yesterday. He pre-
dicted Republicans would not de-
bate the nomination more than six
hours, and the Democrats eight
hours. He expressed confidence the
appointment will be confirmed.
Extended Debate Predicted.
Senator Hickenlooper's estimate
of the length of the debate did not
jibe with the recent predictions OF
Senator McKellar, Democrat OF
Tennessee, leading foe of MIR. Lilien-
thai. Another Democratic senator
estimated yesterday the debate may
last two to three weeks.
Leaders have set March 81 as a
goal for action on Turco-Grecian
aid. If Senator Hickenlooper's fore
cast proves correct, the Lilienthal
nomination can be disposed of first
Otherwise, the leaders will have to
! decide whether to postpone that
issue, or extend the deadline for
granting assistance to Greece and
Turkey
The resolution to investigate post
master appointments was proposed
by Chairman LANCER of the Senate
Civil Service Committee, and has
been reported from that committee
1t is now in the Rules Committee
for approval of the necessary appro-
priation before going to the Senate
The Endorsement given yesterday by
the COP Policy group is expected
to speed it through.
Vermont Complaint Cited.
To illustrate the purpose Of the in
qriry, Senator Taft said a complaint
had come from Vermont that five
examinations for postmaster were
held in that State because on the
first four examinations Republicans
finished at the top of the list.
Senator Taft observed, with a
smile, that this situation might not
have occurred in any other State, be-
cause there are so many Republicans
in Vermont.
Since the Republican controlled
Congress met in January President
Truman has submitted more than
600 postmaster nominations, all OF
which still are awaiting Senate con-
frmation. Senator Taft said the
proposed inquiry is important now
because, although postmasters still
are confirmed by the Senate, they
are appointed for an indefinite ten
ure, instead of for fixed term of
years, as was the case before these
jobs were put under civil service.
Senator Taft said the Republican
policy group also reached the general
conclusion yesterday that separate
bills should be drafted to cover any
parts of the Second War Powers Act
that need to be extended beyond
March 81, rather than renew the en-
tire Act. This course is already be-
ing followed in the case of sugar
control.