Evening star., 1948-07-28
Text of G. 0. Statement

/
Following is the statement
issued by the Republican leaders
OF the Senate and House, tDith
q DieU to its presentation to their
respectiue Republican confer
ences for consideration:
/. This session was called by the
President, not because this is an
extraordinary occasion" as required
by the Constitution, but solely as
a political maneuver in the cam
paign for his own reelection and
to add zest to an otherwise discour-
aged political convention. 1t was
called without consultation with the
leaders of Congress, after Congress
had adjourned with the full acqui-
escence and approval of the md
nority leaders.
2. The call involves no reference
to the critical situation in foreign
policy in which no emergency action
is requested of the Congress.
3. Serious legislative problems
cannot be satisfactorily handled in
the midst OF a political campaign.
Legislation should be a deliberate
process, and every important meas
ure should, be debated from the
viewpoint Of the public interest. In
the 80th Congress our debates have
been remarkably free OF partisan
argument. The Both Congress en-
acted a tremendous program Of for
eign and domestic legislation and
completed all routine and emer-
gency matters generally recognized
as an extraordinary record OF &C
complishment.
Would Take 6 Months.
Few realize that Federal legisla-
ton today covers such a wide field
of subjects that only fraction can
be properly studied and handled in
any one year. It would take at least
six months to give proper considera-
ton to the Presidents program. We
agree with Senator Barkley's state
ment made in the Senate month
ago before politics entered the situa-
ton:
II have done what I could to
cooperate with the majority in
bringing about an adjournment
because I think If we sit here
until after the convention, or If
we sit here between the conven-
tions, or after the two conven-
tions the entire time Of the Con-
gress will be taken up with politi-
cal pickering and political legis-
lation and political oratory, and
I do not want that to be brought
about. I want to finish what we
can finish and adjourn the Con-
gress, and I have tried my best
to cooperate with the leaders on
the other side to bring about an
adjournment"
4. The Presidents quarrel with the
80th Congress Is not its failure to
enact legislation, but fundamental
difference In government philosophy
between the President and Congress.
The President would fix wages, fix
prices, expand Government spend
ing, increase Federal taxes. socialize
and nationalize medicine and gener-
ally regiment the life Of every
family, as well as agriculture, labor
and industry, and his proposals
would create an annual budget
which could not be less than go bill
lion dollars which would make infla-
ton inevitable and permanent.
Constant Conflict.
The Congress believes that prog
ress must be made and all our prob
lens solved within the principles of
liberty, equality and justice to all
men which guided this country for
$50 years. This difference has re-
suited in a constant conflict, result
ing in many vetoes by the President,
and frequent action overriding
his vetoes. Constructive legislation
which the President did not dare
to veto, has been criticized and at
tackled by him. It Is difficult and
dangerous to work out great public
problems without the slightest CO.
operation from a hostile President.
The only way this fundamental diff
ference can be resolved Is by vote
of the people at the November elec-
ton.
S. In the Presidents program
there is very little Of an emergency
nature. Most Of the social welfare
legislation proposed is Of q perma-
nent character which can be con-
sidered more thoroughly next win
ter. The Democrats controlled Con-
gress for IA years, processing the