Milford chronicle., 1948-03-05

ACCORDING TO NEWS REPORTS,
Jim Farley recently forecast the reelection
of Mr.. Truman on the historical grounds
that no President has ever been defeated
when employment and the national income
were high and times were good. The record
pretty we'll bears this out On the other
hand, it may be true that great many peo-
pie are confused and worried over the cur
rent boom. The atmosphere certainly isn't
one of virtually limitless optimism as it wac
in the roaring twenties. The recent ups-and-
downs in the stock and commodity markets
resulted in plenty of sweating. And never
did the more thoughtful economists show a
greater caution in trying to guess what the
future will bring.
In any event, it is evident that Mr.. Tru-
man has definitely decided upon what might
be called a left-Of-center policy, with strong
New Deal overtones. His major appeals are
being made to labor and consumer groups.
Even when prices were sliding somewhat, he
reiterated his demand for price controls, and
Illustrated his points with chart at press
conference. This is said to have caused con-
siderable dissensiOn among his cabinet MEM
OerS, some of whom at least have no faith
whatever in another OPA or any reasonable
facsimile thereof. But it seems inevitable
that the President will go to the country with
his program as November nears.
The President has urged that industry,
labor and other segments of the country CO.
operate to lower prices. But he has not talk
ed about the influence that government fiscal
policy has on the price structure. This Omis-
sion has been seized upon by the G.. O. p.
leaders, principally Senator Taft, who think
that government is at the root of much of
the initiation. They will campaign for sharp
ly reduced Federal spending, and some kind
of a tax reduction plan-unleSS, of course,
some big emergency occurs between now
and the end of the year and makes this inn
possible.
With the exception of rent control, there
doesn't seem to be a chance in a thousand
that price control will return in the fOresee-
able future. The Republicans in both House
and Senate are pretty much of a mind on
this, and they are following their leaders.
It is, Of course, essential to Administra-
tiOn hopes that no real showdown in buSi-
ness occur this year. Widespread unemploy-
ment and fear have defeated every President
who had to campaign in the face of them in
the past, and it took the G.. 0. P. fourteen
years to make anything resembling a come
back after the debacle of 1892. Mr.. Truman
undoubtedly realizes this. Furthermore,
judging by his budget and state of the union
messages, he is convinced that the country
will be receptive to more public works and
more social legislation. Again, the Republi-
cans are pretty much in disagreement.
Mr.. Truman's ideas in general are akin
to those of the late President Roosevelt. But
friend and foe alike agree that there is one
vital difference between the two men. Mr..
Truman does not possess the almost fawless
political timing Of his predecessor. He lacks
Mr.: Roosevelt's undeniable dramatic impact,
and his talent for packaging ideas in appeai.
ing and memorable phrases. And these dual
ltles, for good or evil, strongly influence any