Evening star., 1947-10-21
All Sides Seen Agreed
On Principle Europe
Should GET Help
Congress Due TO Demand
Aid Must Be on Sound
And Efficient Busis
By Dapid Laurence

From all sides-Republican and
Democrat-there is a significant
unanlmity Of opinion about the
oroad outlines of the Marshall plan.
IL Is that Europe must be helped. 1t
may, be taken for granted, moreover,
That Europe will be helped.
But there are differences of
opinion as to how the help should be
extended and in what quantity. The
olf1erences are by no means parti-
san. Members of Congress return
ing from Europe have their own
ideas about what ought to be done
out they recognize the fundamental
proposition that America must give
some help.
Generally speaking, all are agreed
that America must prevent starva-
tlon in Europe. Food must be pro-
vlded until the next harvests at
least.
1t Is with respect to economic
reconstruction that the problem
grows complex. How, for instance,
can there be any assurance that the
money or the goods will be prop
erly used? How can the true needs
be measured? Shall there be q
commitment over a period Of time
or shall the aid be given in piece
meal fashion?
Year-by-Year Program.
These questions are gradually be-
Ing answered in part. Thus it be-
gins to look as if the Administration
will not recommend to Congress
four-year programs as laid out by
the committee representing the Is
nations. This is primarily because
one Congress cannot bind another
but 1t Is also because of prac-
tical difdculty-there is no way of
knowing to what extent changing
conditions will affect the program as
1t Is being executed.
The consensus already seems to
be along the lines Of year-by-
year appropriation.
There is every reason why Europe
should feel confident about get
ting aid for four years but there Is
no way as yet to predict the exact
sums over a period of time. Con-
gress will want to observe how the
American goods and dollars are
being utilized II the Communists
gain control Of a country to which
American aid is flowing, Congress
will want to decide in such a con-
tlngency what to do.
Likewise If one country shows
signs Of substantial progress and
appears to be good investment for
more funds or goods than originally
contemplated, there Is no reason why
the ALLEGATION to that country should
be held down.
The whole European situation will
be surveyed from the point of view
OF immediate necessity for the next
twelve months and only those sums
will be advanced which are deemed
absolutely essential.
American Way.
This Is the American way of deal
Ing with expenditures and appro-
priations and it is one to which the
Europeans will have to conform.
Some central agency of Govern
ment in the United States will be
expected to survey periodically the
overall picture and keep Congress
Informed. If the amounts appro-
priated are inadequate, supplement-
ary appropriations can be made as
occasion may require.
Piecemeal aid need not present
any handicaps. In fact. 1t is better
from the European viewpoint be- |,
cause there is more likelihood of
continued American participation. 1t
Is easier to correct missteps in small
Ter stages than 1t is to take long
step and find public opinion in
America alienated to the point of
wishing to stop all aid
There are signs that the admins
tration and the Republicans will see
eye-to-eye before the program that
is finally adopted is put into effect.
Basically both parties are agreed in
principle-that there ought to be aid
to Europe. What's more, both par
ties have exactly the same viewpoint
as to what the American people want
done, which Is to furnish aid on a.
sound and efficient basis instead of
just pouring out money that will not
help Europe-or America, either.
pint,