Evening star., 1947-07-28
Majority Of Congress
Set for Study Tours
AT Home, Overseas
By me Assoeiotsd Press

BY ths Assoeioted Press
Call the roll of Congress in the
months to come and here" will re-
echo from London, Berlin, Paris
Palestine, Cairo, New Delhi, Shang-
hal, Pearl Harbor and Alaska.
Never before in the Nation
peacetime history has there beer
such an internationally minded as.
sembly of lawmakers, nor a group
with the determination and the
means to collect first-hand infor-
nation on what goes" abroad.
just a year ago, the Republican
party was campaigning with the
slogan that Congress would oper
each days session with a prayer
and close with a probe"
In the busy days of the 80th Con-
gress' first session, it didn't work
that way. Reorganization and rou-
tine helped check congressional
curiosity.
But it's different now that Con-
gress has adjourned.
Probes Will Cost Million.
More than score of House anc
Senate committee, and better thar
q majority of Congress itself will be
heading overseas, to inquire into
foreign policy and military affairs
or be bound for various sections OF
this country to study domestic prob
lens at their source
The inquiries will cost more thar
100000.
House Democratic Leader Ray
burn has called many of them
"junkets" and told the Republicans
their economy record in that direc-
ton isn't so hot"
The COP leadership on the Other
hand has claimed that the expendi.
lures now will save millions OF dol.
lars in the years to come.
Foreign Policy Is Top Item.
The top item under congressional
scrutiny will be foreign policy a!
the legislators search out the globa
problems in anticipation of new re.
quests next year for foreign ale
funds.
A special 19-member House COM
mittee has been created for thai
purpose. In addition, several HOUSE
Foreign Affairs subcommittee will
fan out to fill in details of what will
be required in the way OF future
American assistance.
The biggest single investigation
appropriation. however, was the
$750,000 to pay expenses Of specia
commission designated to draft 6
plan for the reorganization of the
executive branch of the Govern
ment and it's various agencies anc
departments. Former President
Herbert Hoover is expected to be
named chairman of this group.
Other Probes Authorized.
Other investigations which have
been authorized are:
An inquiry by the Senate-House
Economic Committee into the high
cost of living.
An investigation by special Sen
ate committee in the State Depart.
ment's Voice of America" radio
broadcasts and other aspects Of it!
wartime cultural relations program
Senator Vandenberg, Republican
of Michigan today named the fiy'
Senators to serve with five Repre-
sentatives in this investigation. Tht
Senate group includes, Smith, Re
publican of New Jersey, chairman
Hickenlooper Republican of Iowa
Lodge Republican of Massachusetts
Barley Democrat of Kentucky, ant
Hatch, Democrat of New Mexico
House Speaker Martin has not ye
named the House members OF tn
committee.
The committee may travel abroat
to determine the value of the in
formational activities, it was said.
A general housing study by
toint Senate House committee with
$4,000 to spend on the project.
A separate, 15-city investigation
by a House Labor Subcommittee
illtO llOIlOEOly, loShSoSSAAhA6 DAA>
restrictive practices" in the build
ing industry.
Long Range Farm Study.
Independent studies by both th'
House and Senate Agriculture
Committees of a long range pro
gram to solve farm problems.
House and Senate Small Business
Committee efforts to formulate
program for aiding little business.
At least two surveys of newsprin
shortages.
A continuing probe by the Hous'
Un-American Activities COMMITTEE
into the spread of communism.
A tax study by the House Way
sand Means Committee.
New Investigations by the Hous
Expenditures Committee into Gov
ernment disposition Of surplus wa
property.
A House Merchant Marine inquir
into preservation Of American