Evening star., 1947-01-12

the new Republican majorities in S
New Deal Democrats either.
In the state-of-the-Union mess;
to face with the politically hostile
Congress for the first time, he re-
iterated the plea for cooperation
between White House and Capitol
that was the basis of his postelec-
ton statement. At the same time,
however, the President recognized
frankly that there would be honest
differences, Of opinion between the
executive and legislative branches,
and it is plain that he unquestion-
ably feels fully at liberty to propose
measures that may be unpalatable
to those who will decide their fate
and thereby shift the burden OF
responsibility to other shoulders.
In the message on the state OF
the Union, which was the first of
three sent to the Hill, the President
soft-pedaled the social reforms he
had urged unsuccessfully at the last
session of Congress. He tied broad
ening of our social security system
comprehensive national
health program and provision for a
fair minimum wage" to the labor
management program, in effect Of
fering these as partial balance
for the labor curbs proposed.
There was no more than a bare
hint of his desire to see something
done about reviving the controversy
stirring Fair Employment Practices
Committee, as he discussed civil
rights and commented that free
dom to engage in lawful callings
has been denied" to certain elements
of the population.
This mild approach gave rise to
a temporary impression that the
President might be interpreting the
election returns as mandate to
turn to the right" and was being
guided accordingly.
But there was nothing subtle about
the recommendation In this area In
the economic and budget message
which followed.
In the former the President rec
commended Immediate steps to re-
wise benefit payments under the
Social Security Act; an increase In
the unemployment compensation
rates-which was rejected by the
last Congress-and then this solid
boost for the FEPC, which was not.
however, identified by name.
"We must end discrimination In
employment or wages against GER
tain classes of workers regardless Of
their individual abilities. $50 ]
recommend that, at this session, the
Congress provide permanent Federal
legislation dealing with this prob
lem"
There was also another boost in
corporated for the medical-care
plan, and then the President went
over the same ground again in the
budget message.
1t was obvious that right there
the President was setting the stage
for another battle royal in Congress,
unless these particular issues hap
pen to be sidetracked, and then
kept in the background. Opponents
were prompt in letting it be known
that these were the alternatives.
Support for Merger.
AS was to be expected, the Presi-
dent also renewed his support for
merger of the armed services and
Inauguration of a universal train
ing system, but the congressional
battle on the latter item at least
probably will be deferred for quite a
while, as the President will await
the report of his special commits
sion studying the subject before
pressing the matter anew.
Probably the biggest surprise in
the state-of the Union message
and another touchy issue-was the
Presidents firm stand against add
ing to veteran benefits, which, he
pointed out, already are costing
more than $7.000,000,oo0 annually,
which adds up to fifth of the total
national budget.
The Presidents stand probably
will dampen the ardor of bonus ad-
vocates, and it is designed also as
setback to those members of Con-
gress who moved in on opening day
with a variety of measures, includ-
ing a couple to provide for imme-
diate cashing of the CT terminal
leave bonds.
Except for minor adjustments, I
believe that our program Of bene-
fits for veterans is now complete" !"
the President said, pitching his ar