Evening star., 1949-03-30
Senate CIose|yDivided|
AsVote Nears onMoye|
To Cut ERP Funds 1917
By J. A. O'Leoy

The Senate was closely divided
today over the proposed 10 per
cent cut in European recovery
funds for the coming year. but
may not vote on the issue before
tomorrow.
Senator Taft, Republican, of
Ohio said the chances looked
pretty good" for the 10 per cent
cut, which he is sponsoring with
Senator Russell, Democrat, of
Georgia.
Chairman Connally of the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee
was equally confident of holding
the program at the full amount of
$3.50, 100000 for the next Is
months. He admitted the result
Is likely to be close.
Senator Aiken, Republican. of
Vermont said today he is inclined
to support the cut in the belief
that the general price trend will
make that much of a reduction
possible by the time the money
Is spent.
McKellar Undecided.
Chairman Mcclellan of the Sen
ate Appropriations Committee,
which will have the final say in
making the money available, has
not made up his mind. Com
menting on the argument Of sup
porters of the full amount that
the Appropriations Committee can
decide later whether it is all need
ed, Senator McKellar said his
committee will have the legal
right, but he is not sure it would
have the moral right to make a.
cut if the Senate at this tilneI
approves the full authorizationa
Senator Wiley. Republican, of
Wisconsin began the door debate
today, arguing that ECA and the
North Atlantic treaty are related
issues and cautioned the Senate
to consider the effects of not 60
ing along with the program.
Party lines are being crossed
both ways on the issue. Senator
Vandenberg, of Michigan, former
Republican chairman of Foreign
Relations, has not commented
publicly on the 10 per cent pro-
posal, but is expected to stand by
Chairman Connally. Senator
Vandenberg has argued that the
Economic Cooperation Admins
tration should be given some lee
way to defend its needs later be-
fore the Appropriations Commit
tee.
George, johnson Back Cut.
Senators George, of Georgia,
and Johnson of Colorado. both
Democrats, are supporting the 10
per cent cut. On the other side,
It is expected some other Repub-
licans will take the general view
said to be held by Senator VAN
denberg toward the cut.
Majority Leader Lucas, who is
helping Senator Connally to lead
the fight against the cut, said in
an interview that Republican
attacks on the Marshall Plan and
the North Atlantic treaty come
from the same kind Of isolation
ism that has lost Republican elec-
tons before"
This brought from Minority
Leader Wherry the reply that Sen
ator Lucas is "just talking pol
itics." Senator Wherry said he
thinks the Taft-Russell motion
has the best chance Of adoption
out of several pending reduction
proposals.
Taft Views Motion as Test.
Senator Taft views his motion
as a test of whether the Senate
will later trim a corresponding
percentage from other Govern
ment expenses. There are indica-
tions, however. that some of the
Democrats backing him on this
motion would not go along for a
general 10 per cent slash across
the Government board.
IF we are not going to have
TO vote a tax increase in June,
We will have to cut all expendi-
lures substantially" said Senator
Taft. UNLESS we begin the cuts
here Con foreign add there is
little hope of reducing the total
outlay"