Evening star., 1950-01-15

much to those who desire economy
because when 1t is drafted and
laid before the public, the people
as we'll as Congress itself, can see
just what is proposed in the mat
ter of expenditures as compared
TO the revenues of the Govern.
ment.
Appropriations promise to be-
come a major battlefield in this
session, particularly as the Presi-
dent has frankly admitted in his
budget message that a deficit of
more than $5,000,o00,0 900 may be
expected at the close of the fiscal
year 1851, to be piled on top Of
another $4,000, 100000 at the close
of the present fiscal year next
June 80. The Republicans are
bent on making this deficit spend
ing a great issue in the coming
political campaign.
Only the Presidents recon-
mendations on tax legislation re-
main still undisclosed, to prevent
a complete picture Of the admini-
stration's financial program for
the next year. Predictions are
made, however, that reduction or
repeal Of many of the wartime
excise taxes will be proposed by
the President, and as an Offset
to such revenue reduction he will
ask that Congress increase in
come tax rates on upper-b bracket
incomes-from $4,000 upward
an increase In taxes on corpora
tions.
Tax Repeal Demands
Whatever Mr.. Truman may do
or not do about excise taxes, the
demand for repeal Of these war
time burdens is strong both among
Democrats and Republicans alike
in Congress, and q bill will be
pushed for action. Certainly II
the President asks repeal, Con-
gress will respond affirmatively.
However, when it comes to in
creasing taxes on individual in
comes and on business, the oppo-
sition in Congress will be material.
so material that the odds are
the President will not get any
increases.
The huge deficits which the
President himself says are to be
expected this year and next will
make chances extremely slim for
new, costly projects in the Presi-
dents program. It will make the
voters look askance at proposals,
like the Brannan plan and the
compulsory health insurance pro-
gram. The first might take bill
lions more in tax money, and the
second will take billions more from
the pay envelopes of every one
and If that Is not enough, still
more tax money.
Congress, however, has plenty
of time on its hands, and will have,
during the next two months, while
it is waiting for the omnibus ap-
preparation bill. Here is an ideal
opportunity for the administration
to try to force one. or more of the
civil rights bills through the SEN
ate--over the expected Southern
fllibuster. The House may take
up soon, Speaker Rayburn says,
the Federal fair employment
prcatices bill. This is the measure
most bitterly opposed by the
Southerners in Congress. Senator
Lucas of Illinois, Democratic
leader of the upper house, has
promised, too, that he will bring
an FEPC bill before the Senate
and force a showdown on it.
The days already are slipping by.
however, with long debate on
the bill repeating the tax on oleo-
margarine. Senator LANCER, Re-
publican, of North Dakota has
offered an FEPC amendment to
this bill, in an effort to kill tho
oleo bill.
Admittedly the FEPC bill Is
probably the most difficult of the
civil rights measures to get through
the Senate-but it Is the one which
Mr.. Lucas and other administra-
tion leaders consider most potent
as vote winner in Northern
cities where there are great con-
centrations of minority racial
groups. Republican senatorial floor
leader, Senator Wherry of Ne
braska, has announced he will seek
to have the anti-lynching bill
substituted for the FEPC bill when
Senator Lucas moves to take up
the latter. More political emaneu-
vering which is not likely to ad-
vance civil rights legislation.
Other Objectives
The President has asked Con-
gress to extend the life of the
selective service (draft) act which
is due to expire next June. This Is
a measure of National defense
which should receive approval Of
congress-. Inc peacet1me draft
even though it is not now being
used-is not popular and there
may be real fight over it.
Mr.. Truman has urged an ex-
tension, too, of the Rent Control
Act. This will be the signal for
another battle. Opponents say
that this continued demand for
rent control is just another proof
the administration wishes to keep
control OF the peoples affairs and
the housing situation no longer
requires rent control.
Among the other demands made
by the President are the follow
ing: Federal assistance for hous-
ing for lower and middle income
groups, strengthening Of the un-
employment insurance law, Fed
eral aid to education (a Senate
bill has begged down in the House
Committee on Education and La
bor), the st. Lawrence Seaway,
a Columbia Valley Administration
comparable to the Tennessee