Evening star., 1948-07-22
President Won't Say
Whether He Will Seek
Price-Ration Controls

Price-Ration Controls
President Truman today re-
fused to say whether he will
recommend to the special ses-
sion of Congress reimposition of
price controls and rationing.
Asked what agency he has in mind
to recommend for the administration
OF price controls and rationing, Mr..
Truman told news conference that
reporters would find out when they
get his message next Tuesday.
Asked if that meant he would
recommend price controls and ra-'
tioning, Mr.. Truman said his mes
sage will speak for itself.
Mr.. Truman would not discuss the
contents of the message. Neither
would he discuss civil rights legisla-
ton which White House Press Sec
retary Charles G. Ross previously
had said will be recommended.
Refuses to Elaborate.
A reporter said there has been
much speculation as to the reason
for Mr. Truman calling Congress
back. He asked whether the Presi-
dent might want to elaborate on
that.
Mr.. Truman said that he had set
out his reasons very carefully in
his speech to the Democratic Con-
vention. He said Mr. Ross has been
giving reporters fill-in from time
to time on his legislative proposals.
While refusing to comment on the
ticket of the Southerners who with
drew from the Democratic Conven-
ton in protest against the partys
civil rights platform plank, the
President put out the welcome" mat
for Democratic leaders of all
opinions.
He said he is ready to talk with
whatever groups Democratic Ma
tional Chairman McGrath brings to
the White Mouse in advance of the
presidential campaign.
Too See Murray Today.
Senator McGrath announced after
a White House visit yesterday SER
les of strategy conferences on the
forthcoming capaign. He said
representatives of divergent views
would be welcome.
A reporter noted that CIO PreSi-
dent Philip Murray was listed to
talk with the President during the
afternoon. Mr.. Truman was asked
whether Mr.. Murray is among
political leaders Senator McGrath
had in mind.
Mr.. Truman replied with a smile,
that political leaders are not labor
leaders. He said Mr.. Murray isn't
to be included in the groups Sen
ator McGrath referred to.
He added that ne thinks some of
those coming to the White House
for talks will be SouthernerS. He
did not elaborate.
Besides the political talks if ad-
vance of the campaign. the PreSl-
dent said he will consult with Demo-
cratic leaders on the congressional
program He will not confer with
them in advance of delivery OF his
message Tuesday, however, he add
ed
As to how long Congress may re-
main in session. Mr.. Truman SAID
that is up to Congress.
To question as to whether ne is
considering restoring the gold
standard" for currency to combat
imitation. Mr.. Truman replied:
The country has been on the gold
standard all along 1t has more gold
than any other country IN the world
In answer to another question, Mr..
Truman said he knew nothing about
the Indictment of a group of Com
munist Party leaders by a grand
Jury in New York until he read
about it in the newspapers.
Should Finish Work.
Meanwhile. inter-party pickering
over the special session continued
with Senator Hatch. Democratic, OF
New Mexico saying that, OF course,
politics entered into Mr.. Truman
call for Congress to reconvene. But
he added that there is no reason
why the special opening Monday
should be confined to electioneerlng.
IF Congress meets in the proper
spirit to finish its uncompleted
work" said Senator Hatch, close
friend of the President, there IS no
reason why the session should con-
sist of merely political pickering.
Politics did enter into the call.
and we might as we'll face that right
now. But in fairness it should also
be added that no more politics en-
tered now than controlled the pre-
mature adjournment which LETT
vital legislation uncompleted."
However. Senator Watkins, Re-
publican, of Utah. rejoined that no.
body was stronger for the adjourn
ment of Congress in June than Sen
ator Minority Leader Barkley OF
Kentucky, Mr.. TrumanS running
mate in the November election,
While rapping what he described
as Mr.. Truman's political motives
in calling the special session, Sen
ator Watkins added:
Il don't want to see the Repuoll-
cans descend to the same level and
Just play politics. I don't think
We should waste our time. There
are a number of bills pending on
which we could act