Evening star., 1951-01-09
1rumon Message Held
ConciIiotory to Congress
Yet He Did Not Retreat Foot
In Stond Against Aggression
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
President Truman's message to Con-
gress, delivered in person, reafirmed
the determination of this Government to
combat Communist aggression, to make
this country militarily strong and to
aid other free nations to arm them
selves. 1t was strong presentation and
one that will be applauded by many
Americans and that will reassure the
member nations of the North Atlantic
pact.
His request to the new Congress for
cooperation was couched in frank
language and worthy of scui-searching
consideration by the members OF both
political parties. His appeal was to the
individual members of the legislative
body as Americans-not as Democrats
or Republicans. He did not ask for IAN
end to debate" or for an end to criti-
cism. But he properly urged that criti-
cisln be constructive-not criticism for
the sake of criticism.
Those members of Congress and of the
public who desired to hear from him
how many, If any, American troops he
planned to send to Europe or whether
the plan was to withdraw our armed
forces from Korea or to maintain them
there, were disappointed. These are
matters which the Chief Executive could
not publicly announce. They are matters
intimately connected with national de-
fenSe, at time when we are at war in
the Far East and when war is threatened
in the West.
To Inform Congress.
Tho praSidanf ~ aQ
clear as he could that Congress is to
be kept informed and that he viii
counsel with it. His message was con-
ciliatory in tone-at time when he has
been criticized harshly by many members
of Congress. Mr.. Truman, however, did
not retreat a foot in his stand that
armed resistance against Communist
aggression in Korea was imperative.
strengthening of the armed forces in
Western Europe. He made it clear that
he intended to amplify his recommends
tions to the Congress in his future mes
sages, including the budget message.
The President addressed himself
particularly to one point that has wor-
ried Americans-the willingness OF our
European allies to build up their own
OC1cItSC. ouI III hJ1duIlC Pdl
he said, "have strict systems Of uni
versal military training. Several have
recently increased the term Of service.
All have taken measures to improve the
quality of training. Forces are being
trained and expanded as rapidly as the
necessary arms and equipment can be
supplied from their factories and Our
own. Our North Atlantic treaty part
I,,,{I I-;~
than our own"
If these countries have not done
enough yet-and the President said that
none of them has-neither has this
country, as he also admitted. But the
work is on the way; it has been planned.
and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower has been
sent to assume command Of the united
forces.
Used Few Figures.
The President used few figures relat-
ing to our defense building. He did say.
however. that We are pulling 3.500.000
men and women into the armed forces
of this country, and that our industry
is being geared to production of 50.-
900 military aircraft and $4,000 tanks q
year. He pointed out that the Navy was
being strengthened greatly by taking
vessels out of the moth ball" feet and
increased building.
The President devoted part Of his
message to statement of military needs,
both here and abroad. for the purpose of
convincing Soviet Russia that an at
tempt to overrun the world would be dis
astrous-and thus stimulate willingness
for peace in the Soviets. He did not, how
ever. overlook his program for domestic
legislation. Without by name mentioning
repeal of the Taft Hartley labor law or
the Brannan farm plan or socialized
medicine, he did say that measures
improving the labor laws. improving the
agricultural laws, and against the high
cost of medical care should be enacted.
He did say. too. that major increase in
taxes would be necessary to meet the
cost of the defense effort. He did speak
of rounding out our system of social
insurance" And without mentioning q
civil rights program by name, he said.
1--WE must assure equal rights and equal
opportunities to all our citizens"
The President, apparently. has not
retreated from his Fair Deal domestic
program. But he has given priority to
measures to meet the national defense
needs. 1t is on those that he hopes pri-
marily for unity in the new Congress.
And if he soft-pedals his domestic pro-
gram for the time being, it must be that
he desires not to stir up strife in his
own party. and between Democrats and
Republicans at this critical time.