Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-14
The Political Mil
EconomyMood in Senate
Shown by Payroll Cuts
Size Of Vote Is Evidence
Of Sentiment in Congress
By Gould Lincoln


spending-where it does not conflict
with national defense-has raised its
head aggressively in the Senate. It
struck hard in the Senate's considera-
ton of the first of the big appropria-
ton bills for the fiscal year 1862 to
reach the floor Of the upper house. BY
more than two-thirds votes to "a
the amendment offered by Senator Fer
guson of Michigan. Republican. to cut
payrolls 10 per cent below the budget
estimates was adopted. The bill imme-
diately affected was that for the Depart
ment Of Labor and the Federal Security
Agency. Almost Immediately after the
vote was taken, the Senate recommitted
the independent offices appropriation
bill, so that the Appropriations Com
mittee would be in position to make a
similar cut in payrolls carried in that
measure. The economy bloc plans to
deal in the same way with payrolls in
all succeeding bills.
The very size of the vote in support
of economy Is evidence of the growing
sentiment in the Congress. In a brief
time Congress will be voting to increase
Federal taxes by $500 900 900, which
Is $4,000, 900 900 less than the President
has called for. The ever-increasing tax
burden on the American people makes
economy in Government spending i'm
perative.
Amendments Adopted.
In addition, the Senate has adopted
several amendments offered by Senator
Douglas of Illinois, Democrat, for fur
Their economies. One in particular Is de-
cin .al To Iao1% IN fka tNne ~
passenger automobiles to carry Gov
eminent officials, big and little, hither
and yon. Also it provides that only
half Of those which are worn out shall
be replaced. The Senator pointed out
that thousands of aforementioned
automobiles and thousands Of Govern
ment-paid chauffeurs to drive them are
maintained. Declaring that his amend
ment pinpointed one Of the big sources
of waste in the Government, Senator
Douglas commented:
''I would put the Government on .
fat boys diet"
Senator Long of Louisiana, Democrat,
suggested that eff bureaucrat had to
undergo some stigma in connection with
driving an old automobile. he might be
encouraged to take taxicab or to pro-
vide his transportation, occasionally"
Another amendment, offered by Senator
Ferguson, knocks out the chauffeurs.
The drive which has developed in the
Senate to cut Government payrolls is,
after all, only step in the direction Of
economy. AS a matter of fact. the
budget estimates for employees and their
payrolls, submitted this year for 1852,
n I'D
actual appropriations for the present
fiscal year. So the 10 per cent cut must
be considered as an effort to call halt
on the increasing number Of CT
william employees for the civil departments
and Government agencies. although it
will result in reducing the number Of
employees somewhat.
Large Savings Possible.
Congress is In position, however, to
make large savings of Government funds
If it will use the pruning knife on many
items of large expenditure, already au-
thoriZed by law, and will refuse to
authorize new items of expenditure.
Whether its determination to cut to the
bone the proposed appropriations for
these professionally of them worthy in
themselves-at this time when economy
is Of the essence remains to be seen.
The spirit of economy is in the air at
long last at the Capitol. All items of
appropriation will receive the most mi
mute scrutiny before they are voted. That
will go for the proposed foreign-aid ap-
Notwithstanding to $500 000,-
000-and also to the sums demanded for
national defense. Senator Maybank Of
South Carolina, Democrat, member Of
the Appropriations Committee, for ex-
ample, has stated on the floor that ne
intends to vote for more than a 10 per
cent cut in the foreign aid bill when it
comes to the floor of the Senate.
The attitude of the Senate in this
matter Of economy is particularly en-
couraging. In the past, too often the
House. which considers and acts on all
appropriation bills in the first instance,
has reduced appropriations only to have
the upper house restore the sums which
have been reduced, and in some cases to
have the Senate actually add to the
budget estimates. For years Senator Byrd
Of Virginia, Democrat, strong prepayment
OF economy In Government spending,
has been fighting to keep down Govern
ment spending
At last his efforts are bearing fruit.