Evening star., 1949-08-20
The Political Mill
Truman Seen Dangling
Subsidies Before Voters
But Troubles of Administration
Are Continuing to Roll Up
By Gould Lincoln

ny UOHN LIUCOtu
Free bread and circuses run back to the
decadent days Of the Roman Empire-and
earlier. They were the earliest forms OF sub
sides to the mass of people. Subsidies
handed out in these piping days Of the Tru-
man administration are different in form
but they have similar purpose. This Is to
keep the great masses Of the people happy
and willing to retain the government in
power.
President Truman and his aides are dam
Cling still further Government subsidies be-
fore the eyes Of the voters-subsidies to the
farmers through high prices paid for farm
produce. and low prices to the consumer OF
farm produce not to mention free medicine
to every one. These sold-brick twins, If the
administration succeeds negiving them birth
through the acquiescence Of Congress. will
cost the American people dear, in money and
loss Of free decision.
The Secretary Of Agriculture. with the
Presidents blessing, is out beating the bushes
for the Brannan program. with its produc-
ton payment angle. It is frankly to become
a campaign issue in the congressional elec-
tions next year. The present Congress is
opposed to the Brannan plan-notwithstand
ing the fact that Democratic majorities exist
in both houses.
Out to Keep Farm Support.
Mr.. Truman's desire Is to retain support
among the farmers-who came to his rescue
last year, when the stupidity Of the Dewey
campaign managers left the farmers cold to
the Republican cause and when the farmers.
reaping huge profits. were afraid to change
administrations.
The signs of trouble for the Truman ad-
ministration continue to roll up. however.
Congress has been in session nearly eight
months. It has shown itself unwilling to
translate into law the main campaign pledges
made by Mr.. Truman in 1948. 1t has de-
clined to give Mr.. Truman any blank checks
to do what he may desire in the matter Of
spending money abroad It has declined
fatty to accept the appointment Of some OF
Mr.. Trumans intimate friends to high offics
for which the Senate considered them un-
fitted. Former Gov Mon Wallgren of WASH
ington is case in point. Through its in
vestigating committees the Congress has put
some of the Truman favorites on the pan,
too The latest are Maj. Gen. Harry H.
Vaughan the Presidents military aide. and
John Maragon, a former White House in
innate. Demands have come from many
quarters that the President fire" Gen.
Vaughan for his alleged activities in getting
Government contracts for friends, and that
Mr. Maragon be indicted for perjury.
There Is the connected matter-connected
with Gen. Vaughan and Mr.. Maragon-of the
seven deep freezers presented to high Off
cials Of the administration. which = Senate
investigating committee has unearthed. The
case raises the question whether any Govern
ment oficial should accept costly presents
| from private individuals or concerns who
may later have favors to ask of the Gov
| ernment.
Penalties on Such Gifts.
The House already has written an amend
ment into the foreign arms bill providing
heavy penalties against such gifts, when the
| givers are interested in Government con-
| tracts.
Mr.. Truman has not been slow to rush to
the defense of his friend Gen. Vaughan. He
intimated that the Senate committee was
withholding testimony, given it in private.
which would be favorable to Gen. Vaughan.
This, however. blew up in his face, when
Senator Hoey Of North Carolina. chairman Of
the committee, Indignantly denied the COM
mittee had done anything of the kind, and
released the secret testimony. which showed
that Gen. Vaughan had clearly sought to
create an unfounded belief in the public
mind that the deep freezers he distributed
to high Government officials paid for by q
Chicago perfume concern. had little or no
market value. The freezers turned out to
be distinctly valuable.
Along the banks Of the Potomac the Trl-
man administration is having its troubles.
in major degree.