Evening star., 1949-10-20
Congress Quits,
GET Reaction
Truman HoiIs Work.;
Arms Aid Program
Voted on Last Day
By ]. A. O'Leary

bond today to find out what the
people think of it's record in one
of the longest peace time ses-
sions. which ended last night.
The last day saw the two
Houses agree on a new farm price
support bill and the S1,314,01O,00O
arms program for Western Europe
and other nations cooperating
with the United States to maintain
peace.
Spokesman for the major politi-
cal parties went through the usual
disagreement over the accomplish
ments Of the session but, aside
from that, it was tame wind-up.
Most of the lawmakers were tired
and anxious to get away after
nearly 10 months of legislating.
Will Return January 3.
In less than three months they
will be back, on January 3, for
what promises to be more spec
tacular session. In 1850, with a
congressional election coming UP,
Democrats and Republicans will
square away at many of the main
planks in the Truman Fair Deal.
which they left on the shelf last
night.
These include broader old-age
pensions, medical care, civil rights,
repeal of the Taft-Hartley labor
law and variety of other contro-
versial topics.
The House cleaned up its last
minute business at 7 pm, while
the Senate struggled on until $50,
listening to speeches.
Backed Truman Foreign Policy.
Although this Democratic-con-
trolled Congress left much of
Presidents Trumans domestic
program undone, it went down the
line with him on foreign policy.
In the closing hours, Mr.. Tru-
man addressed letters to Speaker
Rayburn and Vice President
Barkley. thanking the members
"for the work they have done :"
and describing 1t as worth while :"
And Secretary Of State Acheson
IN letter to Chairman Connally
OF the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, praised the committee
men for their magnificent accom-
plishments Of this session."
He particularly praised Senator
Connally and the top Republican
foreign policy leader, Senator VAN
denberg of Michigan. and said he
hopes to maintain a close working
relationship with the Senate groun
in the future.
Speaker Rayburn called the
work of the session IAN amazing
record" and Senate Majority
Leader Lucas said the American
people can be proud of the
achievements"
House Republican Leader Mar
tin saw it all quite differently
however. He said the session will
go down in history "as the tree
which bent before the gale of
statism." He sounded the battle
cry for next years elections when
ne added. "Mr. Truman's social
istic program must be stopped in
the months ahead"
Morse Attacks Own Party.
Over in the Senate, however. a
liberal Republican from the West,
Senator Morse of Oregon, rung
down the curtain by accusing his
own party of "fumbling the ball
again" by attacking the so-called
welfare state.
THE Democrats are getting
across to the people," he said,
that only the Democrats are for
the welfare of the people,"
Senator Morse said the American
people are interested in the gen.
eral welfare of the country.
II think it is mistake for the
Republican Party to let the Demo-
Gratis run away with the ball." he
said.
Truman Expresses Appreciation.
President Truman's letter to
the lawmakers said:
"As the first session of the 81st
Congress draws to a close, I want
to express to the members of the
Senate (House) my appreciation
for the work they have done. The
Congress has been faced with
(see CONGRESS, Page A-30