Evening star., 1950-05-04
U. 5. Chamber Urges
Curbs on PaternaIism
And Government Costs

Policy declarations for cutting
Government costs, stopping State
paternalism, and strengthening
defense by such moves as a three
year extension of the draft chart
ed the course of the United States
Chamber of Commerce today.
The $500 delegates took home
those and more than 80 other
resolutions adopted yesterday at
the close Of the chambers 3ath
annual convention.
Aiming some of its resolutions
at outlays sought by the Truman
Administration for legislative pro-
grams, the chamber urged that:
Business organizations refrain,
and use their influence to per-
Suade others. including State and
local authorities, to refrain from
exerting pressure upon members
of Congress for funds for the
benefit of States and local Com
munities."
Foreign aid, national defense,
atomic control and similar prob
lens also received major atten-
ton.
Backs Atomic Progress.
Until effective international
atomic control is achieved" al
resolution stated, I'VE believe that.
this country has no recourse but
effectively to maintain and better
its advanced position in the
atomic field and work in har-
mony with all nations which share
its views"
European Recovery Program
funds, the chamber declared, |
should be used in such a way as
to discourage "disruptive restric-
1t indorsed President Truman's|
Point -Four program of helping
industrial development of back
ward areas but declared it should
be operated by private enterprise
and private investment capital.
Noting that a peace treaty with
Germany docs not appear feas-
ible at this time" the chamber
recommended that the United
States strive with other like
minded powers" to end the legal
state of war.
It advocated an early peace set
tlement with Austria "to- safe
guard independence and economic
existence" AS for Japan, the
chamber suggested that the
United States take appropriate
steps to terminate the state of |
war subject to such security and
other reservations as may be
necessary"
Backs Standby Draft Endorsed.
Resolutions relating to national
defense were for a three-year eX-
tension of the draft on a standby
basis and a definite policy an
nouncement by the National Sc
curity Resources Board for the
guidance of industry on the loca-
ton of defense industries.
Another resolution urged stock
piling of strategic and critical
materials vitality needed for ma
tional security.
The chamber, called upon the
Security Resources Board to @de-
velop and publish a pattern for
our Nations civil defense plan
ming" 1t suggested additional
legislation for a joint Canada
United States defense procurement
policy. based on Standardization g
and economical production of MIL
itary equipment.
Expressing growing apprehen-
sion" over the trend in interpreta-
ton and application of antitrust
laws, the chamber proposed an
objective, thorough-going ap-
praisal" of those statutes.
Union Application Urged.
Another resolution proposed
that antitrust laws be applied to
"monopolistic practices on the part
Of labor organizations"
Resolutions dealing with fiscal
Issues and the national economy:
Opposed general or selective
price controls on any basis ex-
cept in time of war.
Advocated rigorous govern
mental economy as the key TO the
problems of lower taxes, reduced
debt and a stable fiscal system"
Urged that record votes be re-
duired on all congressional meas
uses authorizing appropriations.
Asked that the corporate tax
rate, with abandonment of the
surtax device, be progressively