Evening star., 1947-10-14
.Stassen Seeks
1917 Food Cut,
Special Session
Lower Consumption
Would Reduce Prices
Aid Health. He Says
By Gould Lincoln

Former Gov. Stassen of Min
nesota, candidate for the Re-
publican presidential nomina-
ton, today called for Is per
cent reduction in American food
consumption and an immediate
special session of Congress to
meet emergencies abroad.
Mr.. Stassen criticized President
Truman at a news conference for
not having called a special session
long ago to deal with the problem
of aid to Europe this winter. The
blame, he said, rested squarely on
the President.
"A special session of Congress-"
Mr.. StaSsen said, lis a vital neces-
slty." He added that there must be
a stop to "hit and miss" programs
for dealing with winter emergencies
abroad.
There is need" he continued, ito
establish major agency to handle
the whole problem of aid to these
foreign countries, an agency capable
of developing plans and of co-ordi-
mating the program into the econ
omy of this country"
The Minnesotan supported the
present program for saving food in
this country, declaring that the VOL
untary plan will work provided it
has strong support of the press. ,ra-
dio and both political parties.
1T will succeed" he said, IF the
President will follow through"
Asked whether he believed cut
in American food consumption
would have a bad effect on the
health of Americans. as suggested by
Gov. Dewey of New York, Mr.. Stas-
sen said the American people actu-
ally would benefit from a reduction
of Is per cent because they have
been eating more in the last year
than ever in their history.
There is no danger" he said.
The American people can decrease
their food consumption by IS per
cent and thereby increase their
health and bring down food prices"
Mr.. Stassen's urging that the
legislators be called to meet came
as reports circulated that President
Truman was inclining to the view
that it would be preferable to forego
special session but seek a pledge
from congressional leaders of early
action in January on European aid.
Republicans Balk at Commitment.
Senate Republicans said an offer
by Mr.. Truman to pass up a special
session would be welcome, but some
baked at any commitment for early
action in the regular session OPEN
ing in January.
Mr.. Stassen called the press con-
ference to announce fast-moving
campaign for the presidential nom-
ination, made by plane. and amply
financed, during October and No.
vember. He said the time had come
for speeding up the campaign.
Mr.. Stassen estimated that as Of
today he could count on 100 conven-
ton delegates out of total of 100
in the Upper Mississippi Valley
States, Wisconsin. Minnesota, Mis-
souri,. Iowa and North and South
Dakota. He refused to make an
estimate of his probable strength
throughout the country.
He will enter the Wisconsin pri-
mary next April in search of dele
gates, and is considering entering
the primaries in other States
among them Ohio and Oregon.
Denies Taft Understanding.
Mr.. Stassen denied fatty that he
has any political understanding with
Senator Taft of Ohio, either to stop"
Gov. Dewey in the convention next
year, or to form a Taft-Stassen
ticket.
The former Governor said that
while he admired Senator Taft, he
differed with him on some domestic
issues and foreign policy.
He said that the Republican voters
should select presidential candi-
date on the basis of the program
he presents.
Meanwhile pressure for immediate
help to the hard-pressed French
brought relaxation of Export
Import Bank rules TO permit France
to use approximately $4,000, 900 re-
manning of long-term reconstruc-
ton credit for emergency purchases
of coal and other raw materials.
May Help in Elections.
French Foreign Minister Bidault
had warned that his government
would run out of dollars for such
buying this week. The Export
Import Bank action gave the
French breathing spell and was
expected to boost the chances Of
non- Communists in Frances mu-
nicipal elections next Sunday.
The money comes, from a $780,
100000 credit extended to France in
May, 1916, for buying machinery
and other reconstruction equip
ment. Some s185, ,o00, 900 still is un-
spent The Export Import Bank
ruled that the French could put to
emergency use all the remaining
credit for which contract commit
ments do not require payment be-
fore next June Oficials estimated
this made available about $93,-
100000,
While helping to avert an imme-
diate crisis, this fund is not sufficient
to remove the need for more sub
stantial stopgap aid to both France
and Italy.
At the Presidents request, key
committees of Congress will meet
next month to study proposal that
Western European countries be
granted $580,000 900 to carry them
until March / while Congress de-
(See CONGRESS, Page A-6)