Milford chronicle., 1949-02-04


the Presidents State of the Union
message. He had covered practi-
cally all Of his points before, dur
ing, and after the campaign. Yet
the speech came as something OF a
shock to a good many people
mainly for the reason that this
marked the first time that the en-
tire Truman program was sum-
med up i'm capsule form. The mess
age ran to only $500 words or so
but il covered an enormous
amount of territory.
Furthermore, this speech, along
with other formal and informal
statements made by the President
since his election, takes the wind
out Of the sails Of those who be-
Iieved that many Of the things he
said during the campaign we're for
vOte-getting purposes only, and he
didn't really mean them. Regard
less of what one may think of the
program, that belief did the Presi-
dent an injustice. Even his pOliti-
cal opponents are convinced that
he means exactly what he says.
Thus, so far as he is able, he will
put into full effect every campaign
promise he made.
It is clear that the Truman Fair
Deal" program OutdOes the New
Deal" in almost every particular.
1t has it's roots in principles which
were ifiitially laid down by Frank
lin Roosevelt. But it goes a great
deal farther-and, If it is adopted
in large part by Congress, it will
have a far greater influence on
American life and custom, and also
be immeasurably more costly. That
is an obvious fact. whether one
likes the program or not.
It is also obvious that there are
points of striking similarity be-
tween Mr.. TFuman's proposed ma
ior policies and those Of England's /
socialist Labor Government. A vast
~ expanded social security pro-
gram is one Of these points. SO is
the development of government
power projects. So is compulsory I
government medical insurance. So
is government housing. And so is
the proposal that government go
into the business of producing ba-
sic materials in short supply, such
as steel, if private enterprise does
not meet a quota which the Admin
istratiOn considers satisfactory.
Bills which would make most Of
Mr.. Truman's proposals laws, are
now in the hopper of Congress. But !
the going will not be easy by any
The Democratic Party has
a wide majority in both branches;
The Truman administration has not.
The Democratic chairmen of some
Of the most important committees
belong to the conservative wing of
The party. The Senators and Rep
from the South are, for
he most part, out of sympathy with
4 majority of their constituents.
The Republicans are opposed to
most of it. SO, in all probability,
the President will have to be salts
fed with half a loaf. He will get
modified versions Of most Of what
he is asking for.
For example. Congress does not
view with enthusiasm that addition
II $4,000. 100000 be raised by new
axes, to be levied mainly on busi-
less. Never in history has our
economy been so geared to high
and maximum indus
rial production. Even q moderate
would have devastating
fleets on government revenues, and
N our ability to finance European
id, a huge defense program, and
imilar costly measures. 1t is
dearly in the interest Of the gOV-
.rnment itself to keep the business
World in as high a state of conf
.ence as possible. AS many ecOnO-
nists have been pointing out, in
estimOny before government agen-
les. profits are nowhere near as
,reat as mere dollar figures may
Indicate when present day costs of
and expanding indus
ry are taken into consideration.
10, If more taxes are levied, it is
cry likely that the individual, as
veil as business, will have to bear
part of the burden.
In any event. it should be real
zed, on both sides Of the fence,
hat the Truman program enVisiOns
.reat and fundamental changes in
.merican life. II is a program
7hich sanctions a more powerful
government than we
ave ever accepted i'm peacetime-
nd which must burden in one way
r another the daily existence OF
It seems certain that
will do a great deal Of
ard thinking before It gives ap-
rOval~tO any sizable part Of it.
90
is the great postwar boom slow
lg nOticeably? There are very def
lite indications that it is.
Certain industries which could
OF begin to fill the demand a short
lille back-such as household ap-
liances-have been cutting pro-
uction. Even in the motor car
eldr where shortages have been
ltense, conditions are changing
18th rapidity Some types and mod
Is Of cars-mOstly in the higher
riced brackets-are available al
Ost Immediately. The market for
lWest-priCed cars IS still strong.
nc producers believe that an era
hen cars viii have to be pushed
make sales, isn't far of.
Few seem to think q serious eco
lmic setback Is coming in the
EAR future. But the peaks are lev