Evening star., 1948-11-25
The Political Mil
Federal Spending Seen
Major Issue in Congress
Budget Message to Indicate Clearly
New Purnoses of Administration
The Political Mil
Rv Gould Lincoln


Government spending. which must be rss
ceded by appropriations by Congress- pronlfaes
to be a major issue in the coming congressional
session The Presidents budget message to
Congress, which will be submitted soon after
the first Of the year, will give clear indication
of the administrators purposes. But In addi-
ton, the Presidents recommendations for leg
islation for new Government projects will have
important bearing on the overall picture.
The Democrats in Congress will take over
from the Republicans the duty-under the
Legislative Reorganization Act-of writing a
Legislative budget ceiling" During the last
two years the Republicans in the Senate and
House struggled over this job. Their attempt
was to cut down the size of Government
appropria tion-in other words to reduce the
Presidents budget figures. They tried 1t, but
found 1t tough job, with pressures brought
to bear on them from many directions, and
with new conditions arising which called for
European Recovery Program running into
many billions Of dollars and for greatly in.
creased national defense expenditures
Responsibility on Truman.
Presumably the Democrats in Congress will
60 along with President Truman's budget. The
responsibility. therefore, will rest almost en-.
tirely upon the shoulders Of the Chief Execu-
tive. He it Is who will have to determine
whether there is to be an effort at real econ
ony or whether there is to be a governmental
spending spree.
1t Is popular to spend public funds. The only
sources which the Government can tap for
funds are taxation and Government borrow.
ing. And in the end the taxpayers must bear
the burden. Obviously, the only real check
on spending can come from demands by the
taxpayers for economy. Concerted action by
taxpayers, however, Is tremendously difncult.
Speaker Joe Martin has voiced the Republi.
can idea-saying that Government expenses
must be cut, that the number of persons on the
Federal payroll must be cut, and that the ma
tional debt must be reduced, and certainly
there must be no further deficit spending.
His statement drew an immediate response
from Representative Michael j. Kirwan Of
Ohio, chairman Of the National Democratic
Congressional Committee Mr.. Kirwan gave no
hope to those who hope to reduce or keep down
Government expenditures. His statement was
a political attack on Speaker Martin-to whom
he referred as "Brahmin Martin" The Repub-
lican Congress. he pointed out, had found 1t
impossible to cut the tight budget presented
by President Truman and had ended by
spending more money than the President had
requested He added the Republicans had found
1t impossible, too, to cut employees of the Fed.
eral payroll without sacrificing essential Gov
eminent work.
1t looks as though the Democrats are already
getting ready for expanded spending-and it
will be expanded by q considerable figure,
particularly If the administrations plans for
social measures, including education health,
old age assistance. etc., are written into law.
NAM Proposes Budget.
The National Association of Manufactures
q frequent target of Democratic orators-has
just come forward with q proposed Federal
budget for. the fiscal year 1850. This budget
was drafted by the Government Spending Com
mittee of the association, after an exhaustive
study. Even though the NAM has been de.
cried rs the representative of big business
1t still represents American industry and with.
out American industry. or with a weakened
American industry, the country would be In
q bad way. It's recommendations therefore
carry some weight
The budget 1t proposes is s37 1000 100000
for the fiscal year beginning next July 1.-The
fiscal year 1885, This is three and one-haH
billion dollars less than the. expected expendi-
lures in the current fiscal year. The committee
makes no prediction that this will be the
budget, but adds that 1t Is clear indication
Of what it can be-"
Closely tied in with governmental spending Ii
the question Of taxes. Already In some Demo-
cratic quarters has come q proposal that the
excess profits tax on corporations be re.
enacted. Democrats have assailed the Re-
publican Congress for putting through reduce
ton Of the personal income tax rates-but
whether they intend to change further these
tax rates remains to be seen. Taxes, though
necessary, are as unpopular as Government
spending Is popular.