Evening star., 1949-01-06
PartyLeaders
Prepare 10 Push
Presidents Bills
Curb on Rules Group
Expected to Speed
Action in House
By J. A. O'Leov
By J. A. O'Leory

Democratic leaders made plans
today to start the Truman pro-
gram rolling through Congress
as quickly as possible, with
prospects of getting a substantial
part of it through.
In the House, the administration
should have easy sailing, with a ma
Jority of 81 votes and a new rule
which enables the leaders to by
pass the Rules Committee whenever
that group spends for than three
weeks on a bill.
The real battle-ground promises to
be the Senate, where unlimited de-
bate will continue to give opponents
of any part of the program a power
full weapon, unless a majority of the
Senate is ready to tighten its rules
against the filibuster.
Floor Action Distant.
Several plans to curb debate were
included in the shower of bills in
troduced in the Senate yesterday.
No matter how promptly the
leaders move, it may be several
weeks before the first major issue
reaches the floor of either House.
Committees still must be organized
and hold hearings on the admin
fstrati hills
Broader social security, housing
and welfare programs appear likely
to have a smoother path than the
Presidents $4,000,000000 of new
taxes and his list of economic con-
trolS.
While committees are wrestling
with the details of these more COM
plicated subjects, the House and
Senate may rush through the bill
to increase the Presidents salary.
Bill Introduced in Senate.
A bill introduced in the Senate
yesterday would raise Mr. Truman's
pay check from $4,000 to 100000
and provide him with taX-eXempt
expense allowance of $4,000 year.
It also would raise salaries of the
Vice President and Speaker from
$4,000 to $4,000, and give eXecu-
tive department heads raise.
Any new taxes on corporations
and on individuals in the middle
and upper income brackets must
oringate in the House under the
Constitution, and the same rule
applies to social security reforms
that carry self-financing payroll
taxes.
The Senate, on the other hand,
may make the first moves on hous-
ing and Federal aid to education.
Education Bill Offered.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, OF
Utah today introduced a Federal aid
to education bill. Since it is in the
identical form in which Senator
Taft, Republican. of Ohio put it
through the Senate last year, the
bill may be the first major measure
to reach the floor from committee.
Senator Thomas also dropped in
the hopper bill to establish science
foundation. In its present form it
meets the objections raised by Mr..
Truman when he vetoed a similar
measure in the last Congress, Sena-
tor Thomas said.
The civil rights bills offer a good
illustration of the major role the
Senate will play in determining just
how much of the Truman program
gets through. With their new rules,
the House leaders should have no
trouble putting through the anti
poll tax, anti-lynching bill and even
fair employment practice code.
But Southern Democrats in the Sen
ate made it clear today they have
not altered their stand against Fed
eral action on these issues.
Filibuster Possible.
They still will be in a position to
block these bills by f1libustering un-
less Democrats from the North and
West join with Republicans in a
determined drive to adopt a new
rule for limiting debate
Inc. purpose OF the rules change"
said Senator Ellender, Democrat, of
Louisiana, "is directed at enacting
civil rights program. That's the
sole reason for it. And I'm going
TO oppose it because of that"
Senator Hill, Democrat, of Ala
bama said he could go along with
Mr.. Truman on most of his pro-
posals-'but I can't go along with
him on the civil rights issue"
Senator Hill said he will fight any
move to end the right of unlimited
debate as an abridgement of free
speech.
Senator Morse, Republican, of
Oregon tried to get a vote on an
antifilibuster amendment late yes
terday. But his move was blocked
quickly by Senator Russell, Demo-
crat, of Georgia. 1t was referred to
the Senate Rules Committee.
The Morse amendment would give
the Senate the right to shut off lie
(See CONGRESS, Page ABB