Evening star., 1947-04-30

least partial
control. Frank R. Kent.
Their quite open goal is wreckage
Of our governmental system. But
the political wisdom of wholehearted
opposition from the Truman admin
istration certainly is open to doubt
For, after all, what Is it the Re-
publicans propose? First, to slice
governmental expenses and reduce
the size Of the Federal pay roll;
second, to cut taxes: third, to curb
the power of the labor union bosses
which concededly has been greatly
abused.
1t is true that for 13 years the
Democratic administration went in
the exact reverse direction of these
proposals. While the billions were
pouring out in doles and subsidies,
while the war was on and clear
thinking impossible, waste was made
to seem right, degrading political
alliance appeared a noble concern
for the common man" and the
basic iniquity of these policies was
obscured. But something like sanity
has returned and no one can doubt
today that the public desire is for
curtailment OF governmental size
and cost, reduced taxes and re-
straining laws against labor union
abuses.
Cuts Evoke Howis.
Administration Democrats from
Mr.. Truman down have declared
themselves in favor of these things
Nevertheless, along with the radical
groups, they strongly oppose the
Republican effort to do them now
The contention Is that the Repub-
Iicans cannot cut expenses with
out crippling the Government, re-
duce taxes without endangerine
stability or correct labor abuses with
out depriving labor of its basic
rights" All Of which Is nonsense
Take the question of cutting ex-
penses. Every cut that has been
voted In the House committee has
produced terrific chorus of squeals
bleats and threats. Yet, in not one
case has the opposition presented
facts that stand up under scrutiny
The latest instance is in the re-
duction in the Interior Department
This evoked a most enormous howl
The department would be ruined
The natural resources" of the coun-
try would be lost. So would every
State in the West to the Republi-
cans in 1948.
More For Reclamation.
None Of this is true. House leaders
prove that the bill as passed will
provide more funds for reclama-
ton next year than ever has been
spent in any one year; that actually
more funds for reclamation are pro-
vided for next year than the de-
partment is empowered to spend
this year under President Truman's
freeze" order limiting expendi-
lures to $13o,ooo, 900.
On this, as on other budgets cuts,
the Republican position is measur-
ably approved by Senator Byrd, the
acknowledged authority in this field;
Senator George and other Democrats
who feel that unless drastic cuts
are made now they never will be
made and eventually our system will
collapse under the sheer weight of
It's size and cost.
It is the same way on taxes. The
President and Secretary Snyder are
on sound ground in opposing any
tax reduction not justified by budget
balance, debt reduction, economies
and income. Yet, their position Is
weakened-flrst, by the fact that
they put through the repeal of the
excess-proflts tax last year; second
by their own huge mistakes in sur
plus and revenue estimates; third
by the powerful arguments, among
others, of John w. Hanes, former
Under Secretary of the Treasury,
and quite the ablest man in that
department during the last IA years
In the matter of labor legislation 1t
already has been pointed out that q
majority of the House Democrats
voted for the Republican House bill
which undoubtedly will be the basis
of the eventual law If Mr.. Truman
does not veto it.
Truman Could Join Move.
So what is the situation? The
situation Is that before the end of
July, if the Republicans do not
weaken, they will have greatly cut
down the size and cost of Govern
ment. made a real start on reducing
the debt, lowered tax rates and, un-
less prevented by Mr.. Truman. given
the public protection against the
power drunk labor bosses.
If the enactment of this program
Is not followed by the dreadful dis
asters forecast by the raucous voices
of the left, the Administration will
be in q painful position. If the
reductions in the Truman budget
fail to paralyze vital Government
functions; If the tax cut stimulates
business and does not perilously re-
duce revenues: II the labor law Is
found not to have ''crucified labor
but merely to have protected the
public-in other words, if calamity
does not quickly ensue. then all the
radical prophets will be discredited
and Mr.. Truman, by measurably tax
ing their view, will suffer.
h, y l..