Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-07

increase the strength OF our Ma.
| ton. =
Natural resources-The Federal
Government has an important role
in the development of our natural
resources which is essential to the
achievement of programs to relieve
shortages which threaten economic
development. These shortages in
clude many of our most essential
minerals and metals, our energy re-
sources, especially electric power
and oil, and some chemicals and
fertilizers.
Present shortages of electric pow
er In many areas are not temporary;
our long-range needs require enor-
nous expansion of existing capacity.
1t is essential that public power
programs be expanded this year,
even where this requires use of
scarce materials for construction of
dams and generators. Such ex-
pansion should include the construc-
ton OF transmission lines where
needed. A start on the st. Lawrence
River waterway and power project
should be made Immediately. The
programs in the important river
basins should be examined and
prompt action taken where needed
to provide improved co-ordinated
development plans.
Farm Program.
Agriculture-With certain abnor-
NAL postwar demands for farm
products diminishing, problems of
adjustment to longer-range condi-
tons are becoming more pressing.
We need to fit a prosperous and
equitably treated agriculture con-
slstently into an economy seeking to
operate continuously at maximum
levels OF employment, production,
and purchasing power.
we must make sure that our
long-range price-support legislation
moves toward the goal of farm living
standards comparable to those of the
rest OF the population. We need
farm production even more sbund-
ant than we have yet attained to
supply the industrial and consumer
needs OF full employment economy.
But at the same time, we need meas
ures to encourage shifts in the COM
position OF farm output realistically
adjusted to our domestic and export
needs. We should supplement such
measures with others, including the
provision OF adequate storage facili-
ties, the improvement of distribution,
and adequate credit facilities.
/ urge the Congress to re-eXamine
existing and proposed farm leg,s]s
ton IN the light of all these objec-
tives.
international economic relations
The European Recovery Program is
designed to further world recovery
ana reconstruction. 1t must be con-
,lnued. Its success will facilitate a
return to reasonable freedom of
world trade. The proposed charter
OF the international Trade Organi-
cation, which was signed by 81 ma
tons last year, lays the foundation
for this return.
The present inadequate authority
Tor the conclusion of reciprocal
trade agreements expires June 30,
l949. l urge that immediate action
be taken to restore the Trade Agree
ment Act to full effectiveness and to
extend it for three years.
More Public Housing Urged.
Housing-The steady decline in
new housing starts since last May
adds fresh evidence of the need for
housing legislation. l again recon-
mend immediate passage of the I'M
enacted portions of the comprehen-
sive housing bill; and the need has
now become so great that its meager
quota of 100000 units of low-rene
housing over five years should be
increased to provide for 1,o00DC0
units within seven years.
If we are to achieve levels of hous-
ing production adequate to our
needs, construction materials in the
necessary volume must be available
continuously and in balanced pro-
portions. If it proves necessary,
shall not hesitate to use the alloca-
ton authority, which I have re-
quested. to channel such materials
into home building.
Education-The crisis facing edu-
cation must be met, and the basis
for the continued improvement of
our system of education made firm.
Only with Federal resources can we
meet adequately the increased cost
imposed by expanding enrollments
and the general rise in eXpendi-
lures for maintenance and opera
ton. I recommend that a Federal
program for aid to elementary and
secondary education be initiated.
We should make plans whereby the
opportunities for higher education
would be expanded through Coop
Grafton between the Federal Gov
eminent and public agencies and
private institutions, including a
system of general scholarships and
fellowships. And study should be
initiated to determine authorita-
lively our national needs for edu-
cational facilities and the most
feasible methods of providing them.
National Health Program.
Health-The high percentage of
reflections under the military re-
cruitment programs has provided
striking evidence of the unsatisfac-
tory state of the Nations health.
National health insurance is the
only workable way to assure that
all individuals have access to the
medical care they need. 1 recon-
mend the enactment of such a pro-
gram this year. Federal grants in
support of hospital construction are
an indispensable support to such a
program. We also need to augment
the number of doctors, dentists anG
nurses in order to overcome the
present serious national shortage OF
medical personnel.
Old age, disability and unemploy-
ment Millions of work.
ers are excluded from the benefits
of our old age and unemployment
insurance systems. Such exclusion
denies to individuals protection to
which they are entitled by every
consideration of equity. I urge that
tho coverooe If these suStenoS he