Evening star., 1948-06-10
Stassen Appeals
For Full ERP Aid
On Honor Basis
Sees Cut as Breach
Of Commitment;
Praises Congress
By the Assoeioted Press

Harold E. Stassen pleaded with
Congress today mot to tarnish
the national honor of our coun-
try" by cutting European recov-
cry funds.
The Minnesotan, candidate fol
the Republican presidential NOM
ination, said cut would be a
"breach of commitment to the 1t
European nations cooperating IN
the Economic Recovery Program.
Mr.. Stassen, at his own request
was a witness before the Senate APP
preparations Committee. That group
is considering a House-passed ap-
preparation bill trimming a billion
plus dollars from the $4,000 900, ,OOo
that Congress authorized last spring
for recovery aid to Western Europe
Mr.. Stassen asked the commlttee
to recommend that the Senate vote
the full IS 300 900 900 and insist that
the House agree to 1t.
More Than Dollars Involved.
At feel very deeply that much more
than dollars. or materials, or re-
coverv is involved" MI. Stassen said.
"The most precious metal IN all the
world is directly concerned. con-
slider this to be question OF the
national honor of the United States
of America.
The Minnesotan took issue with
President Truman indirectly by
praising the record of the Congress.
Yesterday, Mr.. Truman called this
Congress "the worst" in the country S
history.
Mr.. Stassen said:
With all the difficulties that are
naturally present with a con-
eressional ma jority of one party and
a President of another, you have
nevertheless made one OF the most
constructive two-year records in for
eign policy of any Congress in the
history of our Nation"
Hoffman Optimistic.
Mr.. Stassen's personal appearance
at the Capitol added steam to the
drive launched by Senator Vanden-
berg, Republican, of Michigan, him
self a presidential possibility, to
block the House economy move.
ECA Administrator Paul G.. Hoff
man is reported happy and re-
lieved" over the strong battle being
waged to save the ECA funds. He
is said to feel that Senator Vanden-
berg has turned the tide in favor
of the full appropriation.
However, Chairman Taber OF the
House Appropriations Committee
which proposed the cut, showed nc
signs of backing down.
II will fight to the end to retain
this reduction in the bill and resist
all the special pressures which are
being mustered to make treach.
erous raid on the American tax
payer" Mr.. Taber declared in g
statement.
Marshall to Testify Tomorrow.
Later, in radio interview the
New Yorker denied there had beer
snv commitment for a specific
amount when Congress passed the
foreign aid authorization bill.
The only commitment, he said
was that there would be a pro-
gram
Tomorrow, foes of the House &C.
ton will bring up more big gun;
to defend the full program. Secre-
tarv of State Marshall and Mr.
Hoffman will add their voices tt
those of Senator Vandenberg ano
Mr.. Stassen.
Secretary Marshall said yesterday
that funds for the European Recov-
cry Program should not be too
drastically limited. He said the
amounts originally proposed to Con-
gress had been carefully calculated
and we're even below the needs of
Europe as figured by some of the
experts.
He said he had felt all along that
In a matter where American pres
tige is so deeply involved and
American interests are SO clearly at
stake it would be most unfortunate
for funds to be limited to a degree
that might imperil the success OF
the whole program.
Warren Backs Full Amount.
Gov Dewey of New York, another
COP presidential hopeful, already
has put himself on record opposing
the House cut. And Gov. Warren
of California. also bidding for the
Republican nomination. lined up
with Senator Vandenberg yesterday
In the course of his radio appear
ence last night Mr.. Taber was asked
whether he thinks Senator Vanden-
berg would be the best presidential
candidate the Republicans could
put up,
Il wouldn't say that he is the best
of the candidates in sight Mr.
(See FOREIGN AID, Page Asa
Committee Slated 10 Study