Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-06
Encouragement Seen
For Industry in Last
Few Days Events
NonrodieoI Mojoritys
Emereenee in House
Should Diminish Fears
Bp Darfd Laurence

nv Java LdWTgWCg
Business ought to derive con-
siderable encouragement from the
events Of the last few days. Three
main influences can be cited:
/. The emergence OF non
radical majority in the House Of
Representatives is proof that the
United States is not TO have. in
the immediate future anyway. a
labor government or national poll
cies leading to state socialism.
2. The lifting of the Berlin
blockade and the easing Of ten
sion with Russia give the whole
world a feeling of relief and make
1t possible to concentrate on the
attainment of an economic bal
ance in the flow of trade.
3. With a diminished fear OF
war. armament expenses can come
down and hence no need exists for
the imposition of higher taxes
this year.
Means Much to Industry.
1t means a great deal to the
men of industry to know that the
Government is not going to be
taken over by any economic class
and that work stoppages and
strikes will be discouraged by ex-
listing law or by such notifications
of law as will still fulfill those
detectives.
1t means a great deal to busi-
ness, too, to know that the rest
lessness on the labor front which
has been manifest ever since cleo
ton day last autumn may now
be restrained by a feeling that
the so-called mandate" to enact
any laws that the labor leaders
dictate has failed to prove itself
In the popular branch Of the Ma
tional Legislature.
It Is even more important that
q coalition Of nonradicals who
have stood fast against extreme
measures can do so again when
proposals for excessive spending
are placed before Congress.
In a sense. what has just hap
pened in the House Of Represent
atives is a confirmation Of the
fact that the last national election
was a close one and that the two
parties were evenly divided. If
the latest proof of this doesn't in
fiuence President Truman to cease
his tactics of domination and to
endeavor instead, In spirit OF
adjustment and reconciliation, toI
work out legislation that can
command substantial majorities.
the country will be deeply disap-
pointed.
The clearing of the interna-
tional situation is not just tenn
porary. Certainly the Russians
have placed big burden on Allied
diplomacy. The complete rever-
sal of previous policy by the Rus
slams is counted on by them to
influence world opinion in their
favor. 1t certainly was a move
calculated to cause the Allies to
review the entire German prob
lem. The Russians will be quick
to cry obstruction" If there Is
no spirit of reciprocity manifested
by Allied diplomats. 1
Demand for Spending Cuts.
Perhaps the biggest effect OF
the changed international stu
alton will be reflected In the de-
mand for reduced expenses for
the armed services. Too mucn
money has been allocated already
for weapons that will soon be
obsolete. A virtual hysterla mas
swept certain quarters in Gov
eminent where reliance on long
range bombing has led to the
making of juicy contracts with
companies whose relationship to
the present administration might
well be scrutinized carefully.
The tendency of armament
growth is to make diplomacy dill
ficult. In Germany militarism
fiourished and Influenced inter-
national policy. The recent rise
of the militarists in Washington
is noticeable. Even the German
general staff idea. which twice
led Germany into war, is now
being advocated openly for the
management of all three armed
services. Certainly fascism had
its origin In the militarism OF
Germany.
The cry of the Russians that
Americans are war mongering"
has been dismissed heretofore as
absurd. but 1t will be dificult,
indeed. for America to keep on
spending $4,000. 5000 year
for armament after Russia calls |
for the withdrawal of all foreign |
troops from German soil and car
ries out, as she doubtless will soon.
a complete rehabilitation of the |
Red army.
The fight for world disarma-
ment has always been one of the |
detectives of the United States,
and there are signs that America |
will be challenged now to prove |
that war contingency exists of |
such a nature as to require the |
expenditure every two years of |
more money than was spent on |
the entire military effort Of the
United States in World War I.