Evening star., 1951-07-10
Wilson Warning Aids
Administration Fight
On Economic Controls
By Robert K. Welsh

A warning by Mobilization Di-
rector Charles E. Wilson against
letting Korean truce talks spread
a feeling of security gave fresh
ammunition to hard-pressed ad-
ministration forces today in the
House battle over economic con-
trolls.
The big drive to Shatter roll
backs on all kinds of farm prod
ucts was still ahead in what prom
ised to be a week-long conflict of
debate on scores of amendments.
But hackers of the control legiS-
lation took heart from an impor-
tant but narrowly-won skirmish
yesterday. BY a vote of 169 toI
149, with Democratic lines hold
ing firm, they beat down a Re
publican move to ban use of di-
rect controls on prices and wages
and consumer credit unless indi-
rect methods were tried first BY
the Federal Reserve Board and the
Treasury.
Mr.. Wilson's plea for strong
controls and unf1agging efforts in
rearmament came only a few
hours after the House started vot-
ing on the first of more than Isl
amendment proposals to it's bill
for extension of the Defense Pro-
ductlon Act. The Senate already
has passed bill.
Taylor Raps Amendments.
Chairman George w. Taylor of
the Wage Sterilization Board,
meanwhile, declared that some of
the amendments to the controls
bill in the House would virtually
wreck the wage stabilization pro-
gram.
DR.. Taylor called a news con-
ference to comment on amend
ments to the controls act spon-
sored by Representative Lucas,
Democrat, of Texas, and approved
by the House Labor Committee.
The WSB chairman said that
he objected principally to pro-
visions which would do away with
the present equality Of represen-
tatton by the public, labor and
industry and give control Of the
wage board to public members.
A second provision which DR..
Taylor described as Objectionable
would strip the board of its pow
ers to issue wage policies and
regulations as we'll as its authority
to decide individual wage cases.
Would Restrict Gases.
The Lucas amendment also
would prevent the Wage Board
from handling practically all
1abor-management disputes.
Declaring that he did not be-
lieve that Congress would pass the
Lucas amendments if their true
effect was understood, DR.. Taylor
said that the proposals would
seriously and maybe fatally in
terfere with wage stabilization."
Doubts Soviet Change.
Il am more worried than ever
before in my life about American
safety" Mr.. Wilson declared in
Nationwide radio and television
speech. Il can't believe that So
Wet Russia, in coming out for
truce in Korea, has altered it's
long-term plans. I can only be-
lieve it is but the latest maneuver
in continuing series of actions
designed to weaken the free
world"
Although he dealt with the
whole range of defense and anti
imitation loves, Mr.. Wilson en-
phasized that the outcome of the
House fight this week and the
eventual decision of Congress on
economic controls will determine
whether this country is to sue
curb to wholesale inflation."
Il cannot work effectively with
the handouts that the pressure
groups are forging for me now"
he said.
He predicted that the country
will encounter another general
rise in prices if Congress bars
rollbacks. Z
we are entering a period"
he explained, when imitation safe /
guards will get their severest test. /
What will it profit America to
build up its might only to go bank
rupt in the process?"