Evening star., 1952-11-11
The Political Mil Vs'a
Major 6. O. P. Actions
In Both Congress Cited
Disprove Charge by Truman
As Party Takes Over Again
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
Six years ago the Republican Party
took over control of Congress-both
houses. It was the 80th Congress
described by President Truman as the
worst or second worst" in the coun-
try's history Looking back, the Presi-
dents characterization of this particular
Congress was political oratory.
In the field of foreign relations, the
Both Congress enacted the legislation
putting into effect the Marshall Plan
for the economic rehabilitation of
Western Europe. 1t also initiated,
through adoption of the Vandenberg
resolution. the North Atlantic Security
Treaty, under which the United States
and Western Europe are now building
defenses against Communist aggression.
1t provided the money requested by Mr..
Truman for military aid for Greece and
Turkey.
In the domestic field, it balanced the
budget for the first time in years, and
reduced taxes. It enacted the Taft
Hartley labor law-which has not proved
to be slave labor act" although it
did release business management from
the strait-jacket imposed by the Wagner
Labor Relations Act.
Taft Has Important Role.
Republican control of CONGRESS IA
again on the horizon-this time with a
Republican President in the White
House. In the organization of the
Senate, one great key figure in the 80th
Congress will be missing-Senator Ar.
thur H. Vandenberg of Michigan. who
led the Republican Party in matters of
foreign policy. Senator Taft of Ohio.
however. who led the party in the field
of domestic policy, will play an i'm
portant role in the new Congress-its
leader, IN fact. so far as domestic legis-
lation is concerned.
In the House. Representative Joe
Martin Of Massachusetts will be Speaker
AS he was in the 80th Congress.
Representative Halleck of Indiana, who
was Republican floor leader in the last
Republican Congress, may be the selec-
tion for that job again. Presumably, the
choice for this Office lies between Mr..
Halleck and Representative Arends of
Illinois.
Although the margin of Republican
control IN both House and Senate Is
desperately slender, there is no present
doubt the G. o. P. will organize both
houses. So far as the Senate is con.
= cerned, it makes no difference how
Senator Morse of Oregon-who has re.
signed from the Republican Party-votes
on organization.
Program Still in Making.
Inc legislative program for the new
Republican Congress still is in the
making. The party platform and the
recommendation Of President-elect
Eisenhower. after conference between
Gen. Eisenhower and the Republican
congressional leaders, will play their
parts in formation of the program.
Foreign policy IS expected to be para
mount On 1t will depend in considerable
part the program Of appropriation and
expenditure. Economy, elimination of
waste and eventual tax reduction will
oe important ingredients. In another
important field, there will be amendment
OF the labor laws, and Improvement of
the social security laws. The policy of
reciprocal trade agreements will be
re-examined.
Gen. Eisenhower is committed To a
foreign policy which looks both to
American leadership in the free world
and to defense against Communist az
gresslon. Many suggestions have been
mace that he will be opposed in Con-
greSs. and particularly in the Senate.
oy important Republicans who do not
see eye to eye with him. A glance at
the new Senate, however. indicates that
such opposltion-which is by no means
-yryin ha
Republican Senators are to be seated.
these Republican Senators owe al
legiance to any one it will be to Gen.
Eisenhower. with whom they won elec-
tlon. Added to those Republican Sem
ators who view foreign policy much as
does Gen. Eisenhower, they make at
least one-half of the total Republican
G. o. P. membership of the Upper House.
IN addition. Gen. Eisenhower may count
upon support for his foreign policy by
considerable number Of Democrats
Senators.
No Reason for Conflict i'm G. OIL.
In some quarters it is taken for
granted that Gen. Eisenhower and the
Republicans in Congress will be en-.
gagged almost Immediately in battle
with Senator Taft of Ohio leading the
forces opposed to Eisenhower. Yet Sem
ator Taft. after thorough discussion
OF issues with Gen. Eisenhower, worked
hard for an Eisenhower victory. Why
should the Ohio Senator wish to ham,
string the new President-even II thev
do not see eye to eye on all subjects?
Indeed. the field of agreement is far
greater than that Of division between
the two. Senator Taft, moreover, has
never been accused of throwing his
weight around just for the sake Of
throwing it.
Gen. Eisenhower is taking over as
Chief Executive and as Commander in
Chief Of the Armed Forces because the
vast majority Of the American people
have confidence in him. It does not ap.
pear within reason that the Republi-
cans in Congress, who will owe their
control of that body to Eisenhower's
popularity with the people, will rush to
conflict with him. More likely they will
see the value Of working with the Chief
Executive as team.