Evening star., 1947-03-03
Budget
CONTINUED From First Page)

Acheson was said to have advised
the British Ambassador, Lord In
verchapel. on Saturday that this
country is favorable in principle"
to granting American help provided
% that Congress is willing, and
ca that Britain keep its troops in
Greece.
The possibility that the United
States may be asked to take over
British economic commitments else
where in the world, particularly in
Palestine and the Near East, added
to the confusion in Congress over
the final outcome of differing Sen
ate and House pledges to carve size
able chunks out of President Tru-
mans $37,5O0, 100000 budget for the
year starting next July l.
Senator johnson, Democrat, of
Colorado, who favors the biggest pos
sible budget cut. said that If the
United States agrees to foot the bill
for British support of the present
Greek government, it soon may find
the British asking this country to
take over their commitments in
Palestine.
Sees Congress "Hijacked."
He said the British appeared to
be- attempting to delegate to the
United States the job of keeping
Russia out of the Mediterranean"
Senator johnson, who contended
Saturday that the diplomatic crisis
had been brought to a head at this
time with the intent to "hijack more
money out of Congress for war ex-
penditures," told a reporte he hopes
the British get out of Palestine and
turn administration of that troubled
country over to the United Nations.
While Senator Tobey said that
any new Greek commitments would
force an upward revision in con-
gressional estimates on Government
spending, Senator Taft, Republican
Policy Committee chairman, dis
cnunted this.
Senator Taft said the proposed
costs would be relatively small
they have been estimated at $780,
100000 a year-and added they
could be absorbed without throwing
budget and tax cutting plans out of
kilter.,
There is no reason why we
shouldn't go ahead and put this
budget ceiling resolution through"
he said.
Final Vote Seen Today.
Senator Taft predicted final
Senate vote today on a proposal
to pledge a $4,000, ,000,00o cut. of
which the Senate has said $780,
100000 should be applied as pay
ment on the national debt. The
House previously voted for a $6,-
100000, 900 slash, with no specific
amount earmarked for debt pay
ment.
Senator O'Mahoney, Democrat, of
wyoming said he hopes a final
settlement of differences between
the two houses will be delayed long
enough so that Congress will know
first just what sort of foreign ex-
penditures it is expected to vote.
Senator Johnston, Democrat, of
South Carolina, told a reporter he
thinks the, international develop
mentS have demonstrated that it
would be unwise for Congress to
lop anything off the $11 zoo, 600 900
set up for the Army and Navy.
Chairman Bridges of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, who sup
ported the larger House cut which
contemplated a $2,225, ,0o0, 900 reduc-
ton in military funds, conceded that
the developments will make it diff
f1cult to slice any sizeable amount
from the Army-Navy funds.
May Be Brought Into Open.
There are prospects that the whole
issue will be brought into the open
officially before this week ends.
sGen. Marshall could use his We'd
lfesday departure as the occasion for
a statement outlining the situation.
More probably, however, President
Truman may discuss the matter in
q speech scheduled for Thursday at
Waco, Tex, where he will stop on
his way back to Washington from a
flying good will visit to Mexico. The
waco address has been described by
the White House as major pro-
nouncement on both foreign and
dpmestic affairs.
sBritain's plight prompted Senator
Russell, Democrat, of Georgia to-
suggest over the week end that Eng
land, Ireland, Wales and Scotland
should become american States.
Senator Russell added, however,
that nothing is likely to come from
his suggestion for the present be-
,chuse Britain would have to take
the first step.
s"You can't annex the British Isles,
BY passing resolution in Congress" I"
the Senator noted.