Evening star., 1951-11-02
Defense Fund Cuts
By Congress |mperi|
Nation, Truman Says
'TroeieuIIy insufficient
OutIoy for Home Front
Chief Toreet in Attack

President Truman today ac-
cused Congress of short chang
ing defense programs and i'm
periling the national safety by
slicing fund requests under the
first and second supplemental
appropriation bills.
The two measures carrying a
total of $5.8 billion for the cur
rent fiscal year, were signed by
MIR. Truman yesterday. He fol-
lowed up today with a bristling
statement which was topped with
the accusation that the civil de-
fense fund is "tragically insuffi-
cine" and that the allotments for
other vital activities are too low.
The President was particularly
emphatic on the question of civil
defense, for which Congress
granted only $74,945 900 as against
VSoo AL414AOA 4CAuCSVCu.
No Bargain Easements.
He also hit the failure to provide
more funds for defense housing
and for . proposed monitoring
program of the Federals a Com
munications Commission in con-
nection with the air defense of the
United States and Alaska. which
he said would have to be dis
carded.
There are no bargain base
ments where we can pick up
security at cut-rate
prices" the President said in de-
claring that he proposed to ask
Congress for more money although
the funds now made available
would be used to the best ad-
vantage.
A partial text of the Presidents
statement follows:
"The amount appropriated for
civil defense is tragically insuffi-
clent. The program for pro-
tective shelters was completely
eliminated. and serious reductions
were made in funds for the stock
plllng of emergency supplies and
equipment -.
Civil defense is a vital part of
our mobilization. It is reckless to
evade, under the pretense of
economy. the national RESPONSE
bllity for initiating a balanced
Federal-State civil defense pro-
gram.
81 Per Cent Cut Explored.
Il do not believe any one can
r1ghtfully challenge the over
whelming Importance of our de-
fense production and economic
stabilization program during this
period. Nevertheless
the budget estimates for these ac-
tlvities were reduced 81 per cent.
:. The Stabilization program has
been made much more difficult to-
administer. There is no economy
IN shortchanging these programs.
Without adequate appropria-
ions for these activities. we can
1ot maintain production and all
of US will pay for this lack of fore
sight through a higher cost, of
living.
Community facilities such asj
schools, sewage lines and water
plants are basic to
The development of housing for
defense workers. Out of $25 mil
ion requested for these purposes.
,he Congress appropriated only
a million. -.
"The inadequacy of the funds
made available by these bills
hreatens other programs of major
Importance. For example,
'lans for strengthened enforce
nent Of our immigration laws can
lot be carried out. The initial
programs of the National Science
foundation for training additional
scientists and encouraging re-
earch must be drastically re-
luced.
Il am greatly concerned by the
Indirect notification of our laws,
which results from the action
AIKEN by the Congress on these
nd number of other appropria-
ion bills. 1t avails us little to en-
ct legislation if its purposes are
o be frustrated by lack of ade-
uate appropriations"