Evening star., 1953-04-05
House Chiefs Set Up
Swift ScheduIefor
Cutting Fund Bills
Bv Robert K. Walsh


out a swift schedule. starting
April Is, to pass practically all
appropriation bills by May 10
with still deeper cuts than de-
partment heads suggest.
This tentative rule has at least
two huge exceptions and one
possible roadblock. Republican
spokeSmen said yesterday.
The exceptions are the Defense
and the foreign assistance budget
estimates. These are not expect
ed to reach the House Appropria-
tions Committee until early next
month.
They are the heart of the
whole budget-balancing problem.
Revised requests from six other
departments to date call for re-
ductions totaling about $420
million for the fiscal year be-
ginning July l. But the deficit
to be rubbed out has been esti-
mated at SO billion.
July Adjournment Predicted
House leaders, however, voice
confidence that the military and
foreign assistance supply mea-
sureS will be on their way to the
Senate before June. Despite the
Senate's more leisurely pace,
particularly on foreign policy and
expenditure proposals, Speaker
Martin holds to his prediction
that Congress will adjourn by
July 4.
Most other Republican leaders
repeatedly oppose any idea Of re-
cessing and returning later this
year.
The timetable-and the final
size Of the budget itSelf-will de-
pend on whether Congress fights
against too many of the spending
cuts recommended by depart-
ment heads or congressional ap-
preparations committees.
RumblingS already are being
heard in the House because the
Appropriations Committee, head
ed by Representative Taber, Re-
publican, of New York, intends
to do much more chopping than
the Budget Bureau and individ-
ual departments have proposed
thus far.
The Interior Departments ap-
preparation bill will provide the
first test. It is due to reach the
House floor April Is. Leaders
want to have it passed by the end
Of the week, even if a Saturday |
session is necessary. In past |
years, that bill alone often was
debated for two weeks in the
House.
Secretary Mckay recommends
that the $6072 million requested
In the budget submitted last
January by former President
Truman be trimmed to $553.1 |
million.
i That 8 per cent cut repeatedly
ik not satisfactory to many
members of the Appropriations
Committee who seek further res
auctions. $ 2
( List of Order Awaited.
The Appropriations Commit
tee has not yet. listed the order
of appearance of departmental
bills for House debate. Under
present plans they must go
through the House at the rate
Of two a week to meet the May
10 goal. ECommerce. Justice, La-i
hor, Agriculture, Treasury and
Independent Ofices bills are
High on the schedule. The Dis
trict's budget bill probably will |
be ready for floor consideration |
early in May.
z While this stepped-up ham
ding was under way amid efforts
m other House quarters for an
income-taX cutback June 80,
Democratic Senators Byrd and
Robertson of Virginia sounded
some warnings yesterday.
Senator Byrd opposes tax re-
duction at this time and believes
some of the current levies might
have to be continued beyond
their scheduled expiration dates
during the coming fiscal years.
He called attention yesterday
to statements by Government
specialists that the current fiscal
year may end June 80 with a
$6.5 billion deficit, almost $500 |
million more than Mr.. Truman
estimated. Such a situation, he
declared, makes budget-balanc-
ing all the more difficult and
should persuade Congress that |
expenditures must be cut first |
before any taxes can be reduced. |
Senator Robertson warned |
that current strivings to balance
the budget and cut taxes could |
gravely endanger the security of !
the United States.