The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1949-10-20

a political party can sink is the one
it reaches after the adoption of
platform or the presentation Of a pro-
gram which its chosen leaders public
" support but in which they private
" disbelieve. This, of course, de-
grades the party. 1t also stamps the
party leaders and propagandists as a
particularly unsayory kind of hypo-
critics. And, it involves degree Of
calculated dishonesty in dealing with
the public sufficiently to justify COM
pletc distrust.
It is not pleasant to record that in
the past this low ground has been
occupied more than once not by one
but both parties At the present time
there is a strong conviction among
growing number of thoughtful men
that in the so-called Fair Deal" and
"Wefare' program the Democratic
party has achieved this level more
completely than any other in a great
many years. Adjournment of Con-
gress and the White House eulogy of
its program make comment upon its
character particularly timely.
It may be that Mr.. Truman really
believes these vast domestic spending
projects are not only feasible but in
the national interest. However, to ac-
cept that one has to disregard so
many undisputable facts and rejects
SO much reason as to make it eXplic-
able only on the theory that he and
his policy makers do not understand
what they are doing and are incapa-
bic Of grasping the implications and
consequences of their own stuff. This
notion, of course, reflects no credit
upon the quality of their mental ma
chinery, but it is the only alternative
to the conviction that the whole bust
ness was politically conceived and is
supported entirely from political mo-
tives. A completely give" program,
it is the politicians ideal of how to
gain votes. Consideration of the ma
tional interests do not enter into it at
all.
Strength is lent this contention by
the 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 fail will be even more potent as
an issue in the next campaign. Addi- !
tional 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 eX-
traordinary attitude of Mr.. Truman !
and his counselors on the subject of !
cost On it. as we'll as on the question |
of payment, they are 50 vague as to !
be absurd SO far as they can, they !
ignore altogether both cost and !
method of payment. On some
features, such as the Brannan agri-
cultural bill, even the author does not :
so much as hazard a guess. Estimates /
have been made on the other side
which are not even contradicted. For i
example, a few weeks ago, the Bull !
letin Of the Council Of State Cham !
bers of Commerce declared that the I
Presidents six major domestic pro-
jects-Federal housing, Federal aid /
to education, socialized medicine, eX
panson of social security, the Bran
nan subsidy plan and liberalization
of electric powe1-in a few years |
would add $13, 100000 900 annually to !
the present tax load In this gener
alton the additional tax burden would |
be beween $4,000, 100000 and $34, /
300,000,000, and in the next gener- |
alton the added tax load would range |
from SIT, 400,000,000 to $38,000,00O,- |
900.
If the present financial condition Of |
the nation were sound and salts |
factory instead of dangerously dis |
jointed by a debt of undreamed OF |
size and budget literally billions out |
of balance, such enormous increases |
in debt and taxes would be stagger- /
ing to contemplate. But when are
considered the gigantic expenditures
abroad, essential to our national
security, included in the Marshall !
plan and the arming of our Western
Allies under the North Atlantic pact, |
they seem either demented or wicked. i
No one can tell how great the cost OF
help abroad will be except it will GER
tainly 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 feverish and more sincere OF the
Truman sinner Circle" privately
agree public acquiesence in the unre-
strained spending the more revolving
In the light of these facts, Senator
laf