The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1952-01-24
Along the Potomac
to Washington
BY j. Glenn Beall
Congressman Sixth District

Because Congress cannot act on
major legislation until the President
sends his economic and budget mes
sages for action which then go to
the proper committees before being
brought up on the floor of the House
for voting, very few Legislative mat
ters have come up as yet.
LEGISLATION-A bill was passed
by the House to give all members Of
the Military Establishment 1OGe in
crease in pay and allowances. This
measure was brought up under a
closed rule which did not permit
amendments.
TAX REFORM-The Presidents
plan to overhaul the scandal-rocked
Bureau of Internal Revenue by
abolishing the offices Of "a politically
appointed tax collectors and replacing
them with 25 district commissioners
under civil service is receiving a cool
reception in Congress since it is felt
that some undesirable employees
might be blanketed in under civil SER
vice regulations. The plan will become
law unless disapproved by either
House within 90 days.
CORRUPTION-A resolution was
introduced in the House to create
bipartisan committee Of 10 members
to investigate corruption in the eX-
ecutive branch of the Federal gov
eminent.
TAXES-In his economic message
at least 4.3 billion dollars in new
taxes were requested by the President
with a prediction that expenditures
would run between IS and 90 billion
dollars annually by June l, 1858,
which would produce deficit of
nearly 16 billion dollars. Although no
new direct income taxes were called
for, the plan would raise excise taxes
and calls for closing so-called loop
holes in the present tax law. Leaders
in both parties have already served
notice there will be no tax Increases.
Since the start of the Korean war
there have been three tax increases
totaling over Is billion dollars and
the consensus of opinion is that the
bottom of the barrel has been reached.
ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY-The
President is renewing his demand for
authorization of the ST. Lawrence
Seaway and power projects which has
met much Congressional opposition
since the major part of the cost would
fall upon this country and would
bring the Federal government still
further into power projects in COM
petition with private industry.
CONTROLS-Not only are price
and wage controls still called for
but also further restriction in credit,
the limiting of bank lending, and con-
trolling margins.
NON-DEFENSE MEASURES-In
spite of the fact that defense spend
ing will increase and there is a re-
quest for more men in uniform and
a budget which will approach 80 bill
lion dollars, socialized medicine is
called for by authorizing federal aid
to medical education; federal aid to
schools; raising of social security
benefits; extending unemployment
benefits and enlarging the amount and
duration of jobless pay. Unless the
Of +alyar1 from ~
envelopes for social security is raised,
further billions will have to be spent
by the Federal government.
IMPORTS-Repeal of the ban on
certain foreign imports is requested
by the President. These bans were
ZIaced on imports to protect Ameri-
can jobs and farmers from unfair
foreign competition.
Under The Dome
Numerous wires and letters have
been received relative to H. R. 5767
now before the Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee. This legisla-
ton amends the Federal Trade Com
mission Act with respect to certain
contracts and agreements which es-
tablish minimum resale prices and
which are extended by State law to
non-signers. Because of the provisions
of the bill it could either come under
the Interstate and Foreign Commerce
Committee or the Judiciary Commit
tee. The Chairmen of these commit
tees are comforting but nothing
definite has been done and the bill
is still before the Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee. The
communications received by me have
been in favor of the bill remaining in
the Interstate and Foreign Commerce
Com miftpn