Evening star., 1948-01-12
Total

lC1y uAuCA AuOdC A1Cdfuy OAA u4A GU
price, wage and rationing controls,
which we all agree should be held to
a minimum"
The President. In this connection
renewed recommendations for lad
ditional, more effective and urgently
needed anti-inflation measures" "
and asked for $85, ,0O0, 900 to admin
ister his program which Congress
has shown no tendency to accept.
In both the budget message and
an accompanying statement in which
he referred to the new budget as
"even more realistic and hardboiled"
than that for the current year,
President Truman emphasized that
cuts had been made wherever pos
sible, and that the budget would be
less than 1000, ,0oO, 600 If it could
be confined to financing existing
activities.
Unexpended balances and other
adjustments hold new appropria-
tions sought to $32,930, ,000, 900.
Since the collapse Of the Axis,
the President said, the budget has
been cut from $63.7oo o,o0o, 900.
Wars Effect Is Cited.
1.-THE realities Of our existing in
ternational and domestic require
ments account for the size Of this
budget" he said. 1T affords essential
support to the foreign policy Of the
United States by encouraging wide
spread international economic CO.
operation while maintaining our
armed strength. It affords essential
support Of our domestic policies by
advancing the development Of hu-
man and material resources within
. fiscal plan designed to help COM
bat imitation.
"The expenditures Of the Federal
Government are still inescapably
dominated by the war and its after
math. In the fiscal year 1949, 70
per cent of our expenditures di-
rectly reflect the costs of war, the
effects of war and our efforts to
prevent a future war: National de-
fense, international affairs, veteran
benefits, interest on the public debt,
tax refunds. This should be q Sob
ering thought to all of us as we
strive for the creation of lasting
peace among the nations Of the
world. Only 21 per cent Of our
expenditures finance the Govern
ment's programs in the broad areas
Of: Social welfare, housing, educa-
ton, research, agriculture, natural
resources, transportation, finance,
commerce, industry, labor, general
administration"
In submitting the national de-
tense estimates, which give 1885,
600, 900 to Air-Army and $4,142, ,000,- :
900 to the Navy, the President said:
I'VE provide only for the mini
mum requirements Of the National
Military Establishment. For the
Air Force, the budget will permit
a higher level Of maintenance and
operation, with a considerable in
crease in aircraft procurement. For
the Army, it will provide for i'm
proved equipment for small, highly
mobile tactical ground forces, as
well as for occupation troops and
their support. For the Navy, 1t will
provide for maintaining the fleet
and naval aviation at the 1948
strength, but with increased aircraft
procurement"
Asks Funds for Training.
I'm anticipation of early ap-
proval" Of q universal training
program which he declared vitally
needed, the President-asking $780,
000, ,000-said he was prepared to
spread $400, 600, 900 for the first
year cost Of q program which in
full operation will cost about
$4,000, ,000, 900 annually"
Such program, he amplified,
ultimately should make reduction
OF the standing forces possible.
The total Army Air Navy ex-
penditure of $10,300, 900 900, the
President explained, would be
little less than this years and pro-
vide an average" military strength
of 1,423,00O officers and enlisted
personnel, which is about the size
Of the force now.
On fighting power, the message
had this to say:
Increased replacement Of air
craft is essential in the fiscal year
1949 to support our air arms at
the planned levels. Wartime re-
serves Of planes and parts are be-
coming depleted or obsolete. Ex-
penditures for procurement OF COM
plete aircraft in fiscal year 1949
are estimated at 5000, 900 ,000-an
increase of about $150,00O 900 over
the current year. Expenditures In
1850 for this purpose will rise again
as a result of the proposed increase
OF over 80 per cent in 1949 authori-
cations. The plans for the Air
Force contemplate operation of SIS
combat groups and II separate
squadrons.
Naval Changes Urged.
Estimated expenditures for naval
ship construction will amount to
$3l2, 900 900 In the fiscal year 1949,
an increase of $4,000 900 over 1s4s.
At present the Navy is required by
law to complete certain ships
authorized and started during the