Evening star., 1948-01-26
Senators Urged 10 Aid
Europe by Advice on
Improving Production
by J. A. O'LeoH

A Detroit businessman told the
Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee today the cheapest and quickest
way to rehabilitate the l6 nations
of Western Europe cooperating in
the Marshall Plan would be to make
the technical "know-how" of Ameri-
can industry available to them.
The witness, Roy w. Clifford,
chairman Of the Board Of Borg
Warner International Corp, pro-
posed creation OF an American
council for aid to European industry
as part of the European Recovery
Program.
On the request Of individual firms
abroad, 1t would make available the
services of American technical pro-
duction experts.
Mr.. Clifford said he feels sure this
type of aid would be forthcoming
"if American businessmen felt that
by so doing they would help to re-
store Europe, bring about more
lasting peace and reduce the drain
on the American pocketbook. o.
Would Improve Old Methods.
Declaring that the United States
has been able to out-produce other
parts of the world despite higher
labor and raw material costs be-
cause Of its technical know-how,
Mr.. Clifford said the purpose of his
plan would be to improve the out!
dated production methods Of West
ern Europe.
His argument, in substance, was
that unless Europe is able to trade
on o sound basis with this country
and other parts of the world, the
United States will have to continue
extending direct aid to make up for
the unfavorable trade balances.
The Marshall Plan calls for four
years of American aid to 1s West
ern European countries. The ad-
ministration has asked Sc, 300, 900 600
for the first Is months of Its oper-
ations.
Farm Group Wants U. N. Control.
Other testimony presented to the
Senate committee today included:
The National Farmers Union.
through James G. Patton, favored
the objective of the European Re-
covery Program, but said 1t should
be carried out through United Ma
tions channels. The Farmers Union
also indorsed President Trumans
program of domestic controls to
curb imitation.
II. j. Heinz, I'd. president Of the
Il. j. Heinz Co. OF Pittsburgh, in
dorsed the recovery program as in
dispensable to American self-inter-
est.
ALP Denounces Program.
A spokesman for the American
Labor Party denounced the'Marshall
Plan, and Endorsed Henry A. Wal
lace's proposal for aid through the
United Nations without regard to
the character Of politics or social
institutions" of the countries receiv-
ing it.
Arthur SchutZer. executive secre-
tary of the New York group, of
which Representative Marcantonio
Is chairman, read the statement.
When the time came for examina-
tion. committee members said, mo
questions"
Mr.. Clifford said he has found
that Q majority of Americans with
whom he has talked are for the
European Recovery Program, but
are confused as to what 1t Is all
about.
No Testimony on Industries.
Senate Minority Leader Barkley
asked whose fault that is, pointing
cut that the committee has been
holding public hearings for nearly a
month.
Mr.. Clifford wanted to know If
any witness has outlined in detail
how the industries Of Europe are to
be rehabilitated.
Senator Barley said there has
been such testimony, but said the
press has given more attentio.s %
controversial questions which arise,
such as whether this country should
get military bases from Europe in
return for recovery aid.
Chairman Vandenberg told Mr.
Clifford his suggestion for a council
to help European industry improve
its operating methods was an "ad-
nirable" one. Senator Vandenberg
suggested that one of the difficulties
in giving the public a clearer picture
Of what the program contemplates
Is the fact that there are so many
imponderables" that cannot be
spelled out in legislation.
The chairman pointed out that
many of these details could be
spelled out in the bi-lateral agree
ments this Government will enter