Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-16
Truman Program Called
A National Disqruce
Disbelief in Own Platform Reduces
Fair Deal to Low-Level Politics
Bv Frank r, Kent

ny 1JuUR N. n en-.
Probably the lowest level to which a polit-
ical party can sink is the one it reaches after
the adoption of platform or the presenta-
ton of program which its chosen leaders
publicly support but in which they privately
disbelieve. This, of course. degrades the
party. 1t also stamps the party leaders and
propagandlstS as hypocriteS And it in.
wolves degree OF calculated dishonesty in
dealing with the public sufficient to Justify
complete distrust
1t is not pleasant to record that in the
past this low ground has been occupied more
than once not by one but by both parties
At the present time there is strong convic-
ton among growing number of thoughtful
men that in the so-called Fair Deal" and
welfare" program the Democratic Party
has achieved this level more completely than
any other in great many years.
1t may be that Mr.. Truman really believes
these vast domestic spending projects are
not only feasible but in the national interest
However to accept that, one has to disregard
so many indisputable facts and reject so
much reason as to make it applicable only
on the theory that he and his policy makers
do not understand what they are doing and
are incapable of grasping the implications
and consequences of their own stuff. This
notion, OF course reflects no credit upon the
quality OF their mental machinery, but it is
the only alternative to the conviction that
the whole business was politically conceived
and Is supported entirely from political mo-
tives. completely give" program it is the
politicians ideal of how to gain votes Con-
sderation Of the national interests do not
enter into it at all
Strength is lent this contention bv thu
utterances of administration journalists and
political spokesman who while they hail
enactment of part of the welfare" program
as politically profitable insist the parts that
IAN Will be even more potent as an issue in
the next campaign Additional support Is
furnished this view by the enthusiasm with
which the whole program is acclaimed. not
only by the radical and labor demagogues
but by the Communist organ, the Daily
Worker.
But more convincing still is the extraordi-
nary attitude OF Mr.. Truman and his coun-
selors on the subject of cost. On it, as well
as on the question of payment, they are so
vague as to be absurd. So far as they can,
they ignore altogether both cost and method
OF payment. On some measures. such as the
Brannan agricultural bill, even the author
does not so much as hazard a guess Esti-
mates have been made on the other side
which are not even contradicted For ex-
ample, few weeks ago. the Bulletin of the
SoA1lSi VI OIdCS SHdNOerS OF commerce.
declared that the Presidents six major
projects-Federal housing, Federal aid to
education, socialized medicine, expansion Of
social security, the Brannan subsidy plan
and LIBERALIZATION Of electric power-in few
years would add $13 800 900, 900 annually
TO the present tax load. In this generation
the additional tax burden would be between
$4,000 100000 and $34.3Ooooo,o 900, and in
the next generation the added tax load would
range from SIT 400 600, 900 to s38, 900 900 900.
II the present financial condition of the
Nation were sound and satisfactory instead
OF dangerously disjointed by a debt of un-
dreamed-of size and budget literally bill
mons out OF balance such enormous increases
IN deot and taxes would be staggering 10
contemplate. But, when are considered tie
gigantic expenditures abroad essential TO
our national security. included in the Mar
snail Plan and the arming of our Western
Allies under the North Atlantic pact. they
seem either demented or wicked. No one
can tell how great the cost Of help abroad
will be except it will certainly be billions
more than the original estimates. But the
sure thing is that this aid cannot be given
unless our own Federal finances are under
control and their foundation firm. The less
1eVerlsh and more sincere of the Truman
inner circle" privately agree about all this,
winch makes their public acquiesence in the
unrestrained spending the more revolving.
In the light Of these facts. Senator Byrd's
description Of the Presidents domestic pro-
gram as "a rush down the road to bank.
ruptcy is inadequate. 1t Is far worse than
that. 1t would be bad enough if we only
damaged ourselves. but upon our financial
solvency and strength hinge the fate of
civilization in the world as we know it and
liberty as We understand the word. No
wonder the enemies of this country rejoice
to see US cut a billion from our defense
appropriations without thought of the con-
sequences while We plan to spend many
more billions on dubious social experiments
which did not come. as the President claims
from the people in the grass roots" but
were conceived. blueprinted and packaeed
Tor sale by Government bureaus in Wash.
lngton which unashamedly appeal to the
large pressure groups of voters Personally.
MI Truman Is neither demented nor con-
sciously wicked. but he is political to an
amazing degree. And except from the
narrow political view, what he favors seems
national insanity on a grand scale. Is it
possible to get the American people to under
stand In time what is being done to them?