The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-05-04
COLD WAR TO
GROW COOLER
Says TRUMAN
Marshall Plan Is Cheaper
than Shooting Wdr-Hiis
Congress, Tax Picture

WASH1NClON, May 4 - R -
President Truman said today he
doesn't feel the cold war Is CLOSE
to turning into shooting war with
Russia. In fact, he said. he thinks
the international situation is much
better now than it was in 1916.
Mr.. Truman voiced his optimism
for world peace at news confer
ence. He spoke out after reporter
told him Senator Tydings (D-M6
had said this country is close to
a shooting war with Russia.
The President said he thinks Tyd-
ings was unduly alarmed if he sale
that. He said he thinks the situa-
ton is improving. He said he may
be an optimist in saying that, and
added that one has to be an. OPP
timist to be President of the United
States.
Mr.. Truman said that he dis
agrees with former President
Hoover on Hoover's proposal to re-
organize the United Nations with
out Russia. But, he said. he feels
Hoover is right in suggesting that
moral forces be strengthened for
world peace.
The President said the nations
defense budget will be smaller for
the 1951-52 fiscal year beginning
July 1, 1851 and he is not alarmed
in any sense of the word. This was
in answer to question whether
recent proposed increases in the
1950-51 defense budget were based
on alarming world conditions.
odd Argument"
Informed of arguments that be-
cause of the present deficit the
nation could no longer afford the
Marshall Plan,- the President replied
that is the old argument which its
opponents have made ever since the
plan was started.
He contended the deficit exists
because Congress refused to levy
sufficient taxes to support the gov
ernments needs. The Marshall Plan.
he asserted, is much cheaper than
a shooting war.
He said there is nothing to claims
that every time there is a Stain
scare this country spends another
billion. The present budget, he went
on, is a good one and as tight as it
can be made. Defense OUTLAWS are
budgeted at 1921 100000 in the
pending appropriation bill, with an
amendment calling for an addi-
tional 350,OO0,00O, mainly for air
power.
Asked whether White House mail
shows a growing concern among the
American people over Communism
and whether Communism will be a
factor in the coming elections, Mr..
Truman replied the people are al
ways uneasy about an organization
that believes in overthrow OF the
United States government by VIC
lence.
He said he does not believe there
is any unusual trend in the direc-
ton mentioned by the reporter.
Florida No Bearing
In response to questions about the
Florida primary, Mr.. Truman said
he does not regard the defeat OF
Senator Pepper as a defeat for the
Fair Deal or the administration. He
said there were certain issues in
the campaign that had no bearing
on the national picture.
Asked about a report that James
Roosevelt, Democratic candidate for
the California Governorship nomi-
nation, had made his peace with
the White House, Mr.. Truman sai6
he never had any i'll feeling toward
Jimmy Roosevelt. He added the late
Presidents son supported the Tru-
man ticket after Mr. Truman's
nomination. Roosevelt had backed
Gen. Dwight Eisenhower earlier for
the nomination.
Asked if he had invited Senator
Taylor D-Idaho), Vice Presidential
candidate on Henry Wallace's Pro-
gressive party ticket in 1913. to ride
his special train as it crosses Idaho
on his coming tour, Mr.. Truman
said he had not.
He added that he would be happy
to shake hands with Taylor when
the Presidential train goes through
Idaho.
On other subjects:
The President took another dig
at Senator Mccarthy R-Wis) for
his charges that the State Depart
ment is haven for Communists
Asked about McCarthy's recent at
tack on former Secretary Of State
Marshall, he said anything Nc
Carthy says is not worth comment
ing on.
Mr.. Truman laughed when he was
asked to comment on a statement.
by Harold E. Stassen, President OF
the University of Pennsylvania,
calling him the "cleverest politician