Evening star., 1950-04-30
Rise in Defense Costs
Makes Other SIashes
Vital, Byrd Asserts
By J. A. O'Iecr

The recent decision to increase
next years defense program by
$3.50 million makes it more i'm
perative than ever" for Congress
to cut spending in other direc-
tions, Senator Byrd. Democrat, of
Virginia. declared last night.
The Virginian. leading economy
advocate on Capitol Hill. said
the expansion of the defense bud
get, at a time when committees
also are considering cuts in ex-
else taxes, "aggravates the fiscal
situation" unless Congress can
find places to save outside the de-
fense budget.
Senator Byrd's plea came as
the House prepared to resume the
battle of the budget tomorrow
With half Of the big 1924 billion
omnibus supply bill tentatively ap-
proved. the economy bloc in the
House has lost some of the money
saved before the bill was reported
from the Appropriations Commit
tee.
Total Now Up Instead of Down.
Some of the Republican econo-
mixers had hoped to knock at
least 81 billion out of the bill on
the House floor, in addition to ap-
proximately 81 billion cut from
the Presidents spending figures
in committee. Instead the bill
now carries $67.3 million more
than when it was reported. and
the committee last week voted in
favor of adding $3.50 million to
the defense chapter when it is
reached late this week. If the
House concurs, as it is almost
certain to do, the total of cash
and contract authority for ma
tional defense next year will be
$14.261,12 800. -
Most of the additional $3.50
million is for planes. and it went
through the House committee
with lightning speed after De-
fense Secretary Louis johnson
made surprise visit to the Capt.
tol few days ago.
Total Is About SAL Billion.
The 1924 billion in the pending
bill is for the operating expenses
of all Government agencies. but to
it must be added $11.5 billion to
cover various fixed charges, in
cluding interest on the public
debt, and the foreign economic
aid program for next year.
Thus, the overall budget for next
year, as the bill now stands. will
be about SAL billion. Latest Budget
Bureau estimate is that Govern
ment receipts next year will be
down to 1862 billion, and some
Congressional tax experts think
the Treasury will take in only
about 1851 billion.
Representative Taber of New
York, ranking. Republican on the
Appropriations Committee, pre-
dicted yesterday it will be May 10
before the House passes the omni-
bus budget bill.
Anti Deficiency Clause Included.
Still awaiting action are the
chapters dealing with the Interior
Department, Independent Offices
Civil Functions public works.
Defense establishment. and a Sc
ries of general provisions affecting
all agencies. The general provi-
sionS include a more stringent law
to prevent departments from in
curing deficiencies, and a closer
check on the transfer of funds
from one function to another.
Mr.. Taber conceded yesterday
he does not expect any further
reductions in the Civil Functions
chapter, which was cut 1902 mil
lion in committee. On the con-
trary, a move undoubtedly will
develop to restore money to that
section, which affects the home
communities of many members.
Taber Sees Room to Cut.
Mr.. Taber believes there are
some items in the defense budget
which could stand reductions. AS
an illustration, he said, the COM
mittee allotment for retirement