Evening star., 1952-12-14
New Congress Ready
To Cuf u. 5. Spending,
AP Survey Indicates
BY the Assoeicisd Press

BY the Assoeioisd Press
The new Congress appears
primed to join with great gusto
in President-elect Eisenhower
promised drive to slash Federal
spending.
Republicans and Democrats
alike, responding to an Associated
Press poll. voiced overwhelming
sentiment for budget cuts rang
ing from SIS to more than $40
billion.
Only a single Republican and a
scant handful of Democrats took
the line that reductions may be
unwise or unlikely in this time
Of world tension.
Cuts Favored 1S9 to 10.
The score. among lawmakers
willing to take specific stand,
was 189 to 10 in favor of sub
stantial cuts.
This tally should be considered
in the light of past performance.
Most Congressman say it's a
tough problem to translate De-
cember's intentions into July's
savings. For years each Congress
has begun with talk of cutting
expenditures, but often has ended
by voting an increase.
The most popular figure in the
poll: $40 billion. Many said spend
ing should be held down to such
a figure. That jibes precisely with
the reported goal of Gen. Eisen-
hover.
The latest official estimate in
dicates an outpouring of $79 bill
lion for the current fiscal year.
See Military Savings.
Scores of Congressman in the
AP survey said billions can be cut
without weakening national Sc
curity. Most of them aimed their
economy drive squarely at the
military. charging vast waste by
the armed forces. Republican
leaders generally expressed this
view and they were joined by
many Democrats, especially South
ern Democrats.
Representative Taber of New
York, ranking Republican on the
House Appropriations Committee.
said he thinks Federal spending
can be sliced to below $65 billion
in the 1854 fiscal year. which be-
gins July l, 1858.
The more cautious approach
was expressed thus by Repre-
sentative Mccormack Of Massa-
chusetts. Democratic floor leader:
lone thing is certain. Any large
reductions must be at the expense
of our national defense. AS I view
the world picture. any weakening
of our national defense could
prove dangerous. Weakness invites
attack"
POlled on Spending Total.
Incoming Senators and House
members were asked what spend
ing total they favor for the next
fiscal year. compared with the
present S79 billion.
The House lineup showed 1861
favorlng substantial cuts, with
only 7 saying cuts are improbable.
The Senate score was SO to 3 on
the same point.
Only one Republican Represen-
tative (Young of Nevada) and no
Republican Senator voiced open
doubt that the budget can be
sliced. Mr.. Young called for strong
military forces and said he doubts
the budget can be cut. although
expressing hopes Republicans will
be looking for any waste.
Replies from 81 Representatives
and % Senators were expressed in
generalities. taking no specific
stand Altogether, 273 lawmakers
participated in the poll while 258
could not be reached or decline.
to respond.
TIL survey makes no attempt
to forecast any final congressional
action. 1t reflects the stateu opin-
ions of Congressmen willing to
express theil views now. Many
said their outlook may change
after they hear Gen. Eisenhower's
recommendations-or if world
conditions change.
Breakdown of Totals.
The score:
Favoring substantial reductions
but giving no specific figures--78
House members. including 80 Re-
publicanS and 80 Democrats; IA
Senators. including eight Republi-
cans and six Democrats.
Favoring a budget in the neigh
borhood of $40 billion-47 House