Evening star., 1947-12-12
Economic
Continued From First Page.)


on take it or leave it, basis that
would bar any amendments to in
clude the Truman proposals.
I'VE have the tWo-thirds vote toI
carry this plan" Mr.. Allen said. "A
lot of Southern Democrats will vote
with us. They don't like controls
and ration stamps"
Informed of the Republican STRAIT
egy, House Minority Leader Rayburn
cried that it Is IAN outrageous pro-
ceeding."
ITO deny the membership Of the
House the right to present amend
ments for action of the House on a
bill of this importance is an inexcus-
able strongarm method" Mr.. Ray
burn said.
Truman Stand Explained.
The four-point Republican plan,
which Mr.. Truman says is no sub
stitute for his own, is pegged to the
idea of letting industry make volun-
tary agreements designed to bring
down prices. Such agreements would
be free of antitrust prosecutions
for limited period.
Mr.. Truman told a news confer
ence Yesterday that as long as he is
President the antitrust laws will be
enforced to the limit.
Nevertheless, a White House offi-
cial who asked to remain anonymous
told newsmen today that Mr. Tru-
man would accept a relaxation of
the laws in cases approved by the
Attorney General.
The matter was brought up by
reporters who noted that the bill
submitted by Secretary Hartman
provides for easing Of the antitrust
laws to permit price reducing agree
ments.
The White House official COM
mented that the Hartman bills
provision was narrowly limited and
covered only voluntary arrange
ments first submitted to Attorney
General and approved by him. He
said this is quite different from the
broader proposal he said was en-
braced in the Republican program.
Gold Reserve Plan Delayed.
What the President wants to en-
phasize, he added, is that he re-
affirms his support and approval OF
the antitrust laws and his opposition
to any attempt to weaken them.
Il can't see the Attorney General
approving any proposition that would
break down the antitrust laws" this
official said.
Aside from the voluntary agree
ments, the Wolcott bill provides for
extension of export controls, expan-
sion of authority over rail transpor-
tation and increases in gold reserves
behind currency issued by Federal
reserve banks.
Senator Taft said the general Re-
publican program will not include
the gold reserves increase. He ex-
planned to news conference this
is a complicated subject which the
Senate Banking Committee has in
dicated it wishes to study at length.
Besides the three points of the
Wolcott measure, the Republican
program is expected to call for dras-
tic reductions in Government ex-
penditureS, a cut in individual in
come taxes, extension of rent con-
trolls and other actions designed to
curb the spiraling cost of living.
Not All Republicans Satisfied.
Senator Taft said he sees no rea-
son why the Wolcott bill in some
form cannot be passed by Congress
before it ends its special session
the last of next week. He conceded,
however, that extended debate In
the Senate might kill any action
if Congress adjourns by December
19 or 20.
The overall statement of prin-
ciples by the Republicans covers
proposed legislation which will not
be considered until the regular ses-
sion begins in January.
There is no assurance, Senator
Taft made it clear, that the Re-
publican senatorial conference will
approve the program at its meeting
tomorrow morning. He said the con-
ference may kick it out the WIN
dow"
Several COP Senators, among
them Senator Baldwin, Republican,
of Connecticut, have indicated they
think additional measures are nee
essary to meet the high cost of liv-
ing problem.
Senator Taft said today, however,
that he thought the Policy Com
mittee's program would be "satis-
factory" to Senator Baldwin.
Taft Talks With Baldwin.
Senator Taft said he had discussed
Senator Baldwin's ideas with him
yesterday and discussed them at q
Policy Committee meeting. He did
not indicate whether he agreed with
Senator Baldwin's suggestions, how
ever
Senator Baldwin plugged for
standby power under law, somewhat
similar to that asked by President
Truman, to ration meat, wheat and
some other scarce food items.
The Wolcott bill contains no pro-
vision for compulsory controls Of
this nature. 1t relies instead on VOL
untary agreements for allocations-
that is, parceling out scarce ma
terials-and other steps designed
to lead to possible price reductions.
The Wolcott measure would per-
NIT suspension of the antitrust
Act provisions to permit industry
and agriculture to get together on
such agreements.
Democratic maneuvering pulled
the Wolcott bill out of the fire In
the House Banking Committee yes
terday by 14-to-9 vote after the,
measure first had been turned down
by an unfavorable 13-to-12 vote.
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