Evening star., 1947-12-28
TaftLists Score
Of Problems
Facing Congress
Program Covers Wide
Range in Addition
To Marshall Plan
By J. A. O'Leory

by ). -. ~ ISoIy
More than a score of major
issues that will compete for at
tention in the session of Con-
gress starting January were
listed yesterday by Senator Taft,
Republican of Ohio.
The Senator, who is chairman of
the Republican Policy Committee.
made it clear that his list is not
a priority schedule, but merely a
tabulation of the more important
problems the leadership will find
awaiting consideration. In addition
to the Marshall plan for European
recovery, it covers wide range of
foreign and domestic subjects.
In national election year many
of the subjects listed are bound to
lead to long debate, and it is un-
likely all of them will get through
in one session. The length of the
list, however, foreshadows a busy
year on Capitol Hill
Committee Will Meet.
The Senate Republican Policy
Committee will meet at least one
day before the session opens to con-
slider bills that branch could take
up while waiting for the Marshall
plan to take shape in the Foreign
Relations Committee
Indications are it will take that
committee at least a month to COM
plete hearings on the Marshall plan.
involving a four-year $4,000, 900 900
program to help 16 European coun-
tries achieve economic stability.
If the Policy Committee follows
the past practice, it will start out
by selecting only a few bills for
early floor debate, and add to that
list from time to time as the orig
inal subjects are disposed of.
Wide Range of Subjects.
Here is the wide range of sub
jects Senator Taft said will be
vying for a place on the program:
A liberalized civil service retire.
ment law.
A new "Voice of America" pro-
gram for the State Department, to
keep the world informed of this
country's aims.
The antipoll tax bill
Statehood for Hawaii.
Federal aid to the States for edu-
cation.
Housing. a subject on which Sen
ator Taft expressed hope some
agreement will be possible as be-
tween alternative programs.
Proposed creation of a new De-
partment Of Health, Education and
Security.
Long Range Farm Program.
A new long-range agricultural
program, prompted by the fact the
present parity price-support plan
expires at the end of 1948.
Compulsory military training,
which is still in the hearing stage
in both Houses.
A Federal aid health program.
Proposed creation of a Fair En-
ployment Practices Commission, on
which Senator Taft said Senate
committee hearings will be held
January 16 d:
Proposed revision of the Minimum
Wage law, on which Senate hear
ings also will be held.
Tax reduction, which is being dis
cussed along two lines. One pro-
posal is for an immediate cut in
personal income taxes. The other
is for general revision of the Fed
eral tax structure, which would in
clude corporation rates and excise
levies. Tax bills must originate in
the House, and all indications are
the Republicans will lose no time in
bringing out an immediate income
tax cutting measure.
Social security changes.
Military aid to Latin America.
Extension of the Reciprocal Trade
Agreement Act, which expires in
June.
Rent Control Extension.
Extension of rent control, which
expires in February.
An antilynching bill.
Regulation of commodity ex-
changes and bank credit.
American cooperation in the re-
settlement of displaced persons in
the war zones.
A bill to revive the claim of the
States to ownership of tidewater
lands.
A railroad reorganization bill.
In addition to this list, Chairman
Vandenberg of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee recently called at
tention to a variety of subjects
pending in this committee besides
the Marshall plan. One on which
early Senate action may be sought
is the st. Lawrence waterway prof.
ect.
Appropriation Bills.
The foregoing tabulation also fails
to take into account the dozen or
more regular appropriation bills
which will originate in the House
after President Truman submits his
budget early in January for the
fiscal year starting July l.
One of the first questions Repub-
1ioov I,oxa f1 10