Evening star., 1947-10-25
COP. Indicates
Rough Going for
Truman Plans
President Tells Nation
Legislation on Prices
And Relief Is Essential
(Tert OF President Trumun's Address
on Page A-2)
By Joseph A. Fox

Congress was confronted to-
day with a demand from Presi-
dent Truman for quick action to
preserve prosperity at home and
prevent a debacle abroad-but
rumblings from the Republican
majority indicated rough going
for the administration program.
In a Nation wide broadcast last
night in which he told the American
people the reasons for calling Con-
gress into special session, Novembe-
II, the President said that the
threat of imitation" here and hun
ger and cold in other lands" have
cast new obstacles In the way Of
world stability. and that prompt
and courageous action is the only
remedy.
Legislation by the Congress is es-
sential," he continued. 1.-THE need Ia
too pressing-the delay too grave
for Congressional action to wait un.
til the next regular session in Jan.
uary."
Asks $642,000, 900 for Relief.
When Congress meets, the Chief
Executive continued, he will have O
program for dealing with imitation,
high prices and the high cost Of
living" He did not specify what
lines this might take.
On the subject of foreign aid, he
repeated what previously had been
told to congressional leaders, that
France and Italy will need a total
of $642 100000 to carry them
through until March 81, when the
administration is hopeful that the
program contemplated
by the Marshall Plan will be ready
to 60 into effect.
In addition, he explained, more
money will be needed for the occu-
patton areas-Germany, Japan and
Korea-"in order for us to main
tain our position" This figure has
been placed roughly at $500, ,000, 600
the sum mentioned in a speech last
night by Army Secretary Royal.
Halleck Charges Politics"
AS the President was outlining
his position, the Republican opposi-
lion swung into action. Representa-
live Hallack Of Indiana, House ma
jority leader, and Representative
of Michigan, chairman Of
the House Banking Committee, ac-
cused the President of playing poll
tics" by linking rising living costs
with foreign aid.
Senator Flanders, Vermont, chair
man of q House e-Senate subcom-
naittee investigating the cost Of liv-
Ing, said the President "has stated
our problem" on high prices but
has not given much help on how
the thing is to be solved"
Suggestions from the Chief Exec
utive now, he said, would give "a
three-weeks running start for con-
gressional committees" He added
he thought Republicans had better
be working on some solution Of
their own
Taber Has "Open Mind"
Earlier in the day, Representative
Taber. chairman of the House Ap-
Committee, had con-
ferred at length with Mr.. Truman,
but to reporters afterward was nom
committal on the subject of the
extra session, which he said he was
approaching with an open mind"
Senator Morse, Republican, Of
Oregon, was more favorable. He
said he thought the Presidents
speech very able" and predicted
Congress would meet 1t on the
plane of cooperation it calls for"
He said the details of Mr.. Truman's
should await his message
when Congress meets
The President placed principal
in his speech on the eco
ionic situation at home.
Startling figures" show how
prices have advanced, he said,
quoting a range up to 40 per cent
'or food-since the middle Of 1916,
and placing the average for all items
1t % per cent.
Costs Still Mounting.
"And the cost of living is still
he continued. I'm the
asst three months it climbed at q
rate of over is per cent year"
Correspondingly, he added, whole
sale prices are moving up.
Millions of families" the Presi.
dent asserted, are feeling the pinch
despite the high employment level,
and when so many people are not
shaking fairly in prosperity the
road is being paved for recession
Or depression"
The President took issue with
critics in Congress who have blamed
prices on scarcities produced by the
foreign aid program, declaring the
major cause" is the domestic de-
mand.
Asks Prompt Legislation.
Explaining that he had urged
action in the form of
price reductions to cope with the
the President said the
oeople now need the protection"
If the Government and "for this
purpose prompt enactment by the
Congress of comprehensive legisla.
ion Is necessary"
Turing to the situation abroad,
Mr.. Truman declared that "the
,erils of hunger and cold in Europe
make this winter q decisive time Id
history"
With an oblique dig at Russian
harges in connection with the
darshall program, the President as
erted that "it is nonsense to say
hat we seek dominance over any
ther nation. We believe in free
om and we are doing all we can to
upport free men and free gcy-
rnments throuhout the world"
The President praised the people
or cooperation In the voluntary
BOD Saving program undertaken to
uld up supplies for European aid
nd stressed that the cali for the
xtra session "in no way reduces the
ecessity" for going ahead with this
Ian