Evening star., 1947-10-28
Congress 10 Demand
Specific Safeguards
On Marshall Plan
Businessmen of Motion
Offer Four Suggestions
On Relief for Europe
Bv David Laurence

Although "stopgap" aid to Europe
will be voted, it may be taken for
granted that the Marshall plan on
a long range basis will require con-
siderable discussion and will not be
passed without specific safeguards.
Opinion Is crystallizing among the
business men of the Nation on these
points:
First, there can be no commitment
of funds beyond the coming year,
and further appropriations must
await the execution Of the first year
Of the program. |
Second, American goods should
not be sent abroad to build up GER
tain industries for competition with
American sellers in other parts of
the world, especially in South
America.
Third, so far as possible, funds
should not be made available to
foreign governments directly for
their own Discretionary use but
should be used for the shipment of
goods to business units designated
by some kind OF q central agency
abroad on which business men of
this country shall be represented.
Won't Countenance Dole.
Fourth, anything resembling a
dole should not be countenanced,
and production goals and quotas
should be set and all further aid
made dependent on how nearly such
goals or quotas shall have been
attained within the time designated.
There are several other points
under discussion throughout the
country. The committee appointed
to advise Secretary of Commerce
Hartman has been discussing vari-
ots items In the proposed program
and has been consulting business
men in different industries. 1t is
apparent that the administration
while presenting persuasive evidence
that Europe must be helped, has not
as yet shown clearly how American
money and goods can really be
effective in rebuilding Europe.
There seems to be an almost
unanimous sentiment behind the
idea of conserving food and even
allocating necessities for the relief
program, but there is a wide diverg-
ence of opinion on how the do
mestic economy of America shall be
restricted to make way for the adop-
ton of a highly theoretical program
OF Doubtful effectiveness.
Incidentally, Secretary Of the In
terror Krug's report has made an
unfavorable impression because OF
that portion of his statement in
which he says that America should
export certain quantities Of goods.
In the Middle West the suggestion
by Mr.. Krug that, in effect, Ameri-
can farmers should wait for tractors
while so per cent of the farm equip<
ment now being manufactured is
sent abroad Is looked upon as unwise
In view Of the fact that current
export is only about II to Is per
cent of production. The admins
tration is going to find the Repub-
licans critical of any program which
does not take into consideration the
rehabilitation necessary on Ameri-
can farms.
German Industry.
Also there Is growing sentiment
in favor of retaining many of the
industrial plants in Germany which
it, has been proposed. to dismantle.
While there is agreement with the
idea of destroying tools and ma
chinery which were devoted to the
making of arms and ammunition,
there is no sense, it Is repeatedly
argued, in dismantling plants that
can help Germany to produce goods
for her own consumption and for
export.
The chances are the Marshall
plan will have hard shedding In
Congress unless the administration
lis ready to accept some Of the many
limitations on the program being
advocated by business men, pri-
marily because Of their belief that
Europe cannot digest the billions
of aid 50 extravagantly promised
by theorists and those diplomats
who think the days Of New Deal
pump printing" are to be revived.
II the program is practical and
appears to have some chance Of
being made effective In Europe on
business basis, it will command sup
port tn Congress. Otherwise. after
several weeks OF debate next winter,
a second "stopgap" aid program will
be voted and a final decision defer
red until after the November, 1948,
elections. This may mean that the
Marshall plan will be an issue in
the campaign.
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