The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-02-11
Inside
Washington

liOI dSHlHSIOH DdllleS the
fate of the 70-group Air Force
and the failure of armed serv-
ices unification - are likely to
reach a single climax with the
resignation of Air Secretary
Stuart Symington.
President Truman knows that
most of the inter-service bick-
ering in the Defense depart
ment is over the lions share
of appropriations. He also
knows that Symington is de-
termined to fight the presiden-
tial edict that the Air Force be
reduced to 48 groups.
Symington's conviction that
the 70-group force, voted by the
last Congress, is the nations
best defense, forces him to fight
for more money and thereby
heighten tension on the unifica-
ton front.
When the president laid down
his 48-group plan, Symington
cut orders for fighter planes
and placed the Air Forces re-
lance on long-range bombers.
This move brought about inn
mediate criticism from planners
in Defense Secretary James
Forrestal's office.
Symington has submitted a
routine resignation in keeping
with the tradition at the be-
ginning of a new administra-
ton. The betting is that it will
be accepted and a less rabid air
power advocate will take his
job.
Ironically, Congress appears
ready to brush aside Mr.. Tru-
mans 48-group plan and keep
right on appropriating funds to
build the 70-group air armada.
Americas dairy interests have
developed a new strategy in
their bitter congressional fight
against oleomargarine.
Whereas the industry has
fought tooth and nail against
abandonment of taxes on oleo,
it now takes the position that
"if you can't beat 'em, join
EN-" In that mood, the dairy
interests have agreed not to
oppose any repeater on oleo-
margarine taxes.
However land here's the fly
in the ointment), the gimmick
is that the bill must contain a
provision that oleo may not be
sold in a color resembling but
ter. ,,ts
The American Butter insti-
tute. the National Cooperative
Milk Producers federation and
the National Creameries asso-
citation are conducting their
campaign with the motto. mo
color, no tax, no color, no
fraud"
The dairymen contend that,
if the lower-priced oleo is per
mitted to be sold in unrestrict-
ed imitation of butter, butter
sales would be unfairly affect
ed" They tell the nations
housewives:
ITO protect your own pocket
book, and your meat and milk
supplies, write your congress
man to support a ban on the
coloration of oleo in imitation
of butter"
The Senate Democratic lead
ership is driving for passage OF
a mild anti-filibuster bill that
it hopes will not tread too heav-
lily on tender Dixie toes.
With COP co-sponsorship,
Rules Committee Chairman
Carl Hayden CD, Arizona, has
introduced a resolution to
change the rules to lock future
"unbreakable" filibusters.
Under present rules, the gag
rule cannot be invoked against
filibusters based on anything
except the legislation itself.
Hayden's bill, in which he is
Joined by Senate COP Leader
Kenneth S. Wherry of Nebras.
ka, leaves unchanged the pres
ent requirement for a tive
thirds majority to silence de
bate and the one-hour debate
for each senator, and merely
extends the gag-rule machinery
to all Senate business.
Diplomats and newsmen are
somewhat puzzled by the new
"team" of Dean Acheson and
James E. Webb, chosen by Pres
ident Truman to run the State
department. Their questions dc
not arise out of the quality oil
integrity of either man.
Acheson is looked upon as ar
adroit, seasoned diplomat who
will. in his own words, faith.
fully carry out the foreign pol.
icy of the nation.
Webb, who will step into the
undersecretary post from the
Budget Bureau, is considered
one of the ablest administrator:
in the federal administration.
However = and there's thu
rub - who will have the fina
saw on diplomatic matters II
C-.-. 1ka