Evening star., 1950-07-16
Close Senate Vote Due
This Week on Drive 10
Cut Non Defense Fund
By J. A. o'Leory


Senate this week on the economy
\ bloc motion for 1iat 10 per cent
cut in funds for many Of the
civilian functions of the Govern
( ment.
Senator Bridges. Republican, Of
I New Hampshire. one Of the IS
7 Senators sponsoring the biparti-
san move, said yesterday he be-
lieves 1t win carry.
Although q number Of Demo-
Gratis, including Senator Byrd Of
Virginia. joined in offering
the amendment. administration
spokesmen are preparing to fight
At when debate is resumed tomor.
row on the big $34.6 billion omni-
bus budget bill.
Majority Leader Lucas called it
another "meat-ax cut" without
rhyme or reason" and said he
would stand by the bill as it came
from the Appropriations Commit
tee. already reduced more than
billion dollars below the Presi-
dents budget.
Korean Crisis Emphasized.
Both sides are pointing to the
crisis in Korea to support their
positions. Senator Bridges says
1--WE cannot spend out substance
today on projects not directly re-
lated to the requirements for
national defense" Senator Lucas
asserts the percentage cut in most
of the non-defense items is ''ut-
terly unSound at this time Of
grave crisis with North Korea"
The $2.668, ,691 ,473 fund ap-
proved by the committee for the
next - months of the Economic
Cooperation Administration pro-
gram is likely to be storm center
Of the economy debate.
AS the economy amendment
now stands it would cut ECA, but
hackers Of the amendment may
decide at the last minute to add
this to the list Of functions already
exempt. There are indications
they will make this concession If
it appears that a further slash inl
ECA would endanger the per-
centage reduction in domestic
spending.
The amendment already ex-
empts national defense, atomic |
energy, the Postal Service, vet
erans' benefits and fixed commit
ments Of trust funds and con-
tracts.
Robertson Backs Restoration.
Senator Robertson, Democrat,
OF Virginia, signed the general
economy amendment, but said
yesterday he and some Of the
other economy advocates want to
restore part Of the ECA reduc-
tion made by the committee. He
said ECA officials believe another
cut Of 10 per cent would wreck
the ECA." He added that such
action would be q direct blow at
our own security at q moment
when we must rely on the sup
port and firm stand Of other free
nations"
I'VE want to be careful we are
not over preparing for q little war
and under-preparing for q big one,
when we do not know which one
will develop" said Senator Robert
son.
The bulk Of the economic aid
money is to strengthen Western
Europe against Communist expan-
sion.
KEN Starts Separate Drive.
Senator Robertson said he and
some Of the other advocates of ,
The 10 per cent amendment would
be willing to see 1t applied to ECA ,
only II the Senate first restores !
part Of the cut already made In :
The Marshall Plan money in COM ,
nittee. The Budget Bureau :
recommended $2,657, 100000 for !
ECA. The Senate committee al
lowed $2,391 ,930, 900 of new money
and authorized use Of an unspent
balance Of $276.761. .473 from last J
year.
Meanwhile, Senator KEN, Re-
publican Of Missouri, launched a
separate move yesterday to slash
$718 million from the ECA fund
Tor Western Europe. He announce
he would offer an amendment
tomorrow to withhold the unspent
balance, and to reduce the new
cash to 81 $50. .000, 900. He said his
amendment would not affect funds
for Korea, or the military aid
program.
Senator KEN argued that the
fighting in Korea "is bound tol
make a serious drain on our re-
sources" regardless of whether
Russia intervenes. He said the
ECA program would send 5000
million worth Of industrial ma
terials to Marshall Plan countries
during the next IL months.
Lucas to Fight Reduction.
Senator Ferguson, Republican,
OF Michigan, also favoring another
reduction in ECA, said this coun-
try faces possible shortages of
steel, iron, oil and machinery.
Senator Lucas, who will lead
the fight against the general 10
per cent cut. told reporters he
will battle with all the power at
my command" to prevent the
Senate from making any further