Evening star., 1949-02-08
The Political Mil ,,4
Truman Program Delayed
By Congress Jockeying
No Major Measures Yet Acted On
In Month Since legislators Met
By Gould Lincoln


The Truman program, If not boggi N
down, Is at least making haste slowly ia
Congress- More than month has elapsed
since Congress met and Mr.. Truman deiit'
cred his State of the Union message ara
dropped his $42, 900. 900 900 budget, including
a recommendation for $4,000 900 900 addi-
tional tax revenue in the laps OF the legisla-
tors. The sum total of accomplishment Is
new law increasing the salaries of the
President, Vice President and the Speaker.
a law enabling Government employees in the
District to take four-day holiday at inau-
guration time, and a measure extending the
operation of export controls.
On the three main subjects Of the pro.
gram-repeal of the TaftHartley law, the
enactment of civil rights legislation and
readjustment of Federal taxes-nothing has
been accomplished.
Truman Democrats in the Senate find
themselves on the horns of dilemma. They
must either risk an early row with Southern
Democrats by forcing the civil rights issue
to the front through an amendment of the
Senate cloture rule, or they must risk indef-
mite poStponement of the civil rights pro.
gram.
Explains Jockeying.
The Truman leaders understand we'll that
there is considerable number of Southern
dtlC OcIldCOIS WHO Dy JOINING WlCn
the Republicans can hamstring the Presi-
dents program, beginning with the Taft
Hartley law repeal right on down the line.
These Southerners already have an inclina-
ton that way-and if they are enraged over
Truman drive to force anti-segregation,
fair employment practices, anti-lynching
and anti-poll tax legislation down their
throats, the inclination could easily turn
into determination.
This explains in part the jockeying Of
the Democratic Senate leadership over pro-
posed amendment of the Senate cloture
rule, making it easier to end debate and
get to vote: and their reluctance to have
the amendment forced to the floor. They
realize that a proposed change in the
rules would be fought bitterly by Southern
Democrats and would delay long time
consideration of other pressing legislation,
including the Truman effort to repeal the
Taft-Hartley law
If Southern Democrats 60 about these
days with SNUG smiles, it is scarcely to be
wondered at. The whole situation is play
Ing into their hands. Not only is the civil
rights fight being delayed. but the Taft
Hartley repeal is making haste slowly.
The effort of the Truman Democrats on the
Senate Labor Committee to speed the hear
ings on the repeal bill is getting nowhere,
and Senator Ellender of Louisiana has
threatened to move to send the repeal bill
back to committee if it is reported out be-
fore full hearings have been completed.
Delay Tax Measures.
In the matter of new tax legislation
Congress is going even more slowly. It's
whole desire is to avoid tax increases if
possible. Democratic leaders of the House
Ways and Means Committee and the SEN
ate Finance Committee say they will wait
to see how much the Government is going
to spend the coming fiscal year, and will
hope by making cuts in expenditures to
avoid new taxes.
As matters stand today the Democrats,
Notwithstanding their claims, have little
chance to bring about actual repeal of the
Taft Hartley labor law. The most they
can hope for is modification of some of its
provisions and the elimination of a few.
Fourteen. and perhaps is, Democrats from
the South are expected to resist attack on
some OF the vital parts Of the Taft-Hartley
law. So the result will be a technical
repeal, change in name, without too much
substance. Even that might fail If the
Soltherners become riled too greatly
The enraged Trumanites are hurting in
vectives at the Republicans. charging them
with playing politics. The Republicans, for
their part taunt the Trumanites with jibes
that the latter are trying to pay of their
campaign pledges-chief1y at the expense
OF the American taXpayer