Evening star., 1947-10-05
Returning Members
OF Congress Criticize
Foreign Aid Plan

osCA Z ACcidC1it IL ullldIl . ollOlU dllS
long range plans for aiding Europe
Representative Clevenger, Re.
publican, of Ohio, one of four House
members returning last night from
Europe, said that when European
nations want to make a touch
they feel an attack of Communism
coming on"
In Southampton, England, Rep.
resentative Case, Republican, oi
South Dakota, said European ma.
tions should mot count too much
on too much aid from elsewhere.
Mr.. Clevenger added that he saw
no danger of Western Europe "starv-
ing right away" AS to whether
food conditions might prompt Com.
munists to seize power in possibly
Italy or Frnace,. he said: They
may or may not"
Special Session Opposed.
Mr.. Clevenger and his three col
leagues, members of the House
Agriculture Committee, agreed that
a special session of Congress prob
ably is not necessary to provide
emergency foreign aid.
Representative Hill, Republican,
Of Colorado. told reporters at Ma
tional Airport that II see no reason
for special session. They don't
have to be helped tomorrow"
He somewhat modified his view a
moment later, however, by saying
that it may be necessary for Con-
gress to convene before its regular
January date.
Others in the group were Repre-
sentatives Gathings, Democrat, of
Arkansas, and Poage, Democrat, of
Texas. They left here September 2
and visited II European countries.
Mr.. Clevenger said he was more
convinced than ever that "the
Socialist governments are not work.
ing and not getting production"
Mr.. Gathings said that "the re-
habilitation of Germany is highly
essential to the recovery of Europe y
and added: 1--WE have to put Ger
many on her feet"
Germany in Worst Shape.
He described Germany as being In
"the worst shape" of any of the
nations they visited. Italy, he said,
is eating fine" but in France the
food supply Is mot as good"
Mr.. Gathings said he sees no "im-
mediate danger" and no reason for
a special session of Congress. The
Arkansan added he would be opposed
to resumption of rationing in this
country to supply additional food
for Europe, but said more wheat will
be needed abroad in so days.
Mr. Poage said some help" will
be needed by Western European
nations adding that crops are in
"deplorable condition" because of a
drought. He asserted that Europeans
ARE not starving as yet but will
require additional help before the
winter Is over. He said Holland
seems to be in the worst condition
that France is in "bad shape" and
that Italy is slightly better"
The countries they visited were
Germany, Austria, Denmark, Nor
way, Sweden, The Netherlands, Bel
GUM, France, Italy, Switzerland and
England. 80 .-.
Truman Asks Meetings.
President Truman has asked the
two foreign relations and the two
appropriations committees of the
Senate and House to meet as sogn as
possible, to begin work on foreign aid
and to determine whether a special
session is necessary.
The Republican leaders in Con-
gress so far have taken no definite
stand one way or another but are
waiting to hear the opinions of the
nearly 100 members of Congress who
have been in Europe, are now there
or plan to go.
Completing a 25-day fact Finding
tour of Britain and the continent
Representative Case told newsmen
In southampton that Secretary oi
State Marshall never had been au-
thorized by Congress to make any
offer of American financial aid to
Europe. He added:
There is no use in them kidding
themselves on this matter.
These countries which are looking
for aid would be we'll advised if they
were to do all they could for them
selves and not count too much on
too much aid from elsewhere.
T5ber Statement Recalled.
In a similar declaration Friday
Representative Taber, Republican
of New York, said in Berlin that he
did mot think people in Europe
generally work as hard as they
should" Mr.. Taber, who is chair.
man of the House Appropriations
Committee, said he had seen nc
seriously underfed" persons during
his tour of Europe.
The Russian licensed Berlin news
paper Nacht-Express yesterday re.
ferred to Mr. Taber as an Amer.
ican Babbitt" and said:
"Mr. Taber holds high congress
sional Office but even so he does not
have to decide over the destiny o1
Europe. We assume that wise Amer
leans will bring different view te
the United States about hard work
ing people"
In Rome, Representative Short
Republican, of Missouri chairman
of another touring congressional
group, told newsmen his committe'
had found "a sad sick world" De
claring that European recovery wa
impossible without Germany, HI
said the Germans were detected ant
discouraged by the appalling de-
struction of their country and wer'
making no effort to rebuild"
Case Sails for United States.
Mr.. Case sailed on the Line
Queen Mary with 18 other member
of a special House committee OF
foreign aid headed by Representa-
tive Herter, Republican, of Massa
chusetts. Most of the members sait
they would withhold comment unit
the committees report Is complete
Commenting on his personal OBJ
servations while serving with MI