Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-20
President Seen Faced
With Economic Slump
He Pledged to Avoid
Writer Holds Recession
Was Inevitable, Trumon
Should Hove Admitted 1t
By David Laurence


Should Hove Admitted 1t
By David Laurence
Just q few short months age
President Truman was going ur
and down the country telling the
American people that unless he
were elected the Nation would
experience depression.
Many persons took seriously his
warning and voted for him-com-
prising enough votes perhaps e
swing a close election. Mr.. Tru-
mans campaign was based on an
assurance of continued prosperity
-high-level employment. high
wages and high rewards to every
group. His whole strategy was
based on a materialistic, selfish
appeal-to farmers and TO work
ers.
Today the Nation is in the
midst OF a slump that could be-
come a serious depression If lead
ership fails and confidence In the
President himself continues to
diminish.
For the trouble with Mr.. Tru-
man is that he has not yet learned
that the best politician Is man
who forsakes the evil ways Of poll
tics.
A recession was inevitable nc
matter who. was elected last No
vember. MIR. Truman would have
been a bigger man today had he
stated that simple truth to the
people and outlined instead an
economic program that was bal
anced and fair. The words Fair
Deal" are remarkably descriptive
Of what the Nation ought to have.
But until Mr.. Truman emanci-
pates himself from the hold which
pressure groups and meretricious
advisers have upon him. he can
not make the words Fair DeaP'
mean anything.
Must Tell People Truth.
At heart MIR. Truman is a good
man. Again and again 1t Is said
about him that he means well.
There is no dislike for him per-
sonally. He could be popular
President with all classes. But he
has not yet started to do those
things which could make him q
great President.
TO be a great President does
not mean to give away the peo-
pies money. The first require
ment is to tell the people the
truth-all Of 1t, no matter how
painful 1t is. Nothing Is to be
gained by being q partisan-by
denouncing groups or individuals
who did not agree with him last
summer and do not agree with
him now. Everything Is to be
gained by summoning the most
disinterested men Of all parties
and developing a national policy
that is right for the United States
today-and which may indeed
seem to be contrary to what the
politicians or pressure groups
want.
The kind of advice MFR. Tru-
man needs was given publicly
over the week end by James r.
Byrnes In speech at Washing
ton and Lee University's 200th
anniversary celebration.
Here is a Democrat who served
in the House and the Senate for
many years and won the respect
Of both parties. Here is q man
who served as Associate Justice Of
the Supreme Court by appoint
ment of President Roosevelt. And
here is a man who left that high
post TO take q difficult and nerve
racking job as director Of economic
mobilization during the war.
President Truman later appointed
him Secretary Of State. Certainly
here is q disinterested man who
does not aspire further to political
honors.
And what did Mr.. Byrnes say?
He declared q national policy In
q few words:
Warned Of Welfare State.
"our first line of defense is a
sound. solvent American. econo-
N.Y." But to achieve such Strength,
he suggested that the "only wise
course is to reduce expenditures
and live within our income"
Mr.. Byrnes warned that certain
Federal programs before Congress
today would create q welfare
state" In which the American peo-
pie would be economic slaves. F"
Unless there was economy, he ex-
pressed fear that the United States
may be going down the road to
'statism."
The former secretary or State,
therefore, made q concrete pro-
posal, namely that Congress au-
thorize the President ito make the
reduction necessary to bring the
expenditures within our income. !"
He pointed out that because sew
eral appropriation, bills have
passed both Houses, blanket re-
duction by Presidential authority
was logical and the only way out.
He Is right about 1t. But Mr..
Truman will have to become q REV
kind Of President to accomplish 1t
II Congress should give him the
power. Many men can win cleo
tions. but can they win the respect
Of all the people-the confidence
that means q real place In Amer
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