The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-21
More Damage Than Good?

There is considerable significance in
President Truman's presentation OF the
Marshall theory for the first time in
planned form, with a 100000 price
tag attached on the same day Congress
adjourned it's special session.
Mr. Trumans message was the neces-
sary link between the special session and
the regular one beginning in January.
What happened on Capitol Hill during the
last several weeks will have a definite
bearing on the treatment of the Marshall
program, now that the Congress and peo-
pie know exactly what is wanted. All along
they have rightfully considered it our first
and best weapon against expansion of Com
munism. This, also, was given fresh en-
phasis by the President as he asserted that
it was a vital step in the United States eff
forts to prevent World war III
But first, let's review what the special
session accomplished.
AS to interim European aid, it appro-
priated $54O,OOOOO0 to see Democracy
through the winter months in Italy, France
Austria and China. Mr. Truman had asked
$597 100000 for the three European coun-
tries. All realize that this assistance
was necessary to tide them over until the
Marshall program can be activated Sew
eral reverses suffered by the Communists,
such as a vote of confidence for 1talys
middle the road De Qesperi's govern
ment and the withdrawal of 100000
General Federation of Labor, show the
early effect of this relief on sentiment over
seas.
Congress, in its special session, made
good start on foreign relief.
But on the other equally important prob
lem of domestic initiation, the showing was
woefully weak
The Taft three-point anti-inflation meas
ure was ''watered down. so that it con-
tanned but four of the ten anti-inflation re-
quests President Truman made when the
session began. Two, extension of export
and transportation controls, were placed
in the bill by the Ohio senator and the
others, food conservation program in this
country and promotion of food production
In non-European nations were inserted by
the Democrats. President Truman. was
given neither the authority for rationing
nor wage and price controls he sought
Only the most hopeful believe the act
will have appreciable effect in lowering
prices. Most Americans are going to feel
that their government is attempting to at
tack the elephantine cost of living with a
pop gun.
The normal reaction during the period
between the congressional sessions will be
something like this: Our representatives
did lot - $540, 100000 worth, to be exact -
for the people overseas but actually little
to return a few cents value to our in
flated dollar. This sentiment may grow
and, despite the best efforts to deal out
scare headline material, the present warm
reception for the Marshall program may
chill. There is no doubt that President Tru-
mans recommendations for II billion dol
lars aid to Europe over four and a quarter
years are going to be argued from every
possible angle. And the hardest of all
charges to refute will be that we are doing
too much for overseas economy and not
enough for domestic well being. Why so
much emphasis on the foreign front against
Communism and SO little attention to our
domestic flank will be the general tone of
many questions in the months ahead.
By failing to deal little more than slap
on the wrist to initiation, the special ses-
sion has seriously endangered proper treat
ment OF the Marshall plan during the regu-
lar one. That was its biggest mistake. It
IS now quite apparent that the session did
not justify itself, with exception of ap-
proVal of emergency European aid. And
the Republican majority was responsible
whether it can show more courage and