Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-02
President Will Not Ask
For Extension of Controls


President Will Not Ask
For Extension of Controls
Accordingly, I do not in
tend to ask for a renewal of
the present wage and price
controls on April 80, 1858,
when present legislation ex-
pires. In the meantime, steps
will be taken to eliminate con-
trolls in an orderly manner,
and to terminate special agen-
cles no longer needed for this
purpose. 1t is obviously to be
expected that the removal of
these controls will result in in
dividual price changeS-Some
up, some down. But a maxi
mum of freedom in market
prices as well as in collective
bargaining is characteristic of
a truly free people.
I believe also that material
and product controls should
be ended. except with respect
to defense priorities and
scarce and critical items es-
sential for our defense. shall
recommend to the Congress
that legislation be enacted to
continue authority for such
remaining controls of this
type as will be necessary after
the expira ton of the existing
statute on June 80, 1858.
I recommend the continu-
ance beyond April 80 of the
authority for Federal control
over rents in those commune
ties in which serious housing
shortages exist. These are
chiefly the so-called defense
areas. In these and all areas,
the Federal Government should
withdraw from the control of
rents as soon as practicable.
But before they are removed
entirely, each Legislature
should have full opportunity
to take over. within its own
State, responsibility for this
function.
1t would be idle to pretend
that all our problems in this
whole field of prices will solve
themselves by mere Federal
withdrawal from direct con-
trolls.
We shall have to watch
trends closely. If the freer
functioning of our economic
system, as well as the indirect
controls which can be appro-
priately employed, prove in
sufficient during this period of
strain and tension, 1 shall
promptly ask the Congress to
enact such legislation as may
be required.
In facing all these problems
wages. prices, production,
tax rates, fiscal policy, deficits
everywhere we remain con-
stantly mindful that the time
for sacrifice has not ended.
But we are concerned with the
announcement of competitive
enterprise and individual in
ltiative precisely because we
know them to be our Nations
abiding sources of strength.
Our vast world responsibility
accents with urgency our peo-
pies elemental right to a Gov
eminent whose clear qualities
are: Loyalty, security, eftici-
ency. economy and integrity.
The safety of America and
the trust of the people alike
demand that the personnel of
the Federal Government be
loyal in their motives and re-
liable in the discharge of their
duties. Only combination of
both loyalty and reliability
promises genuine security.
To state this principle is
easy; to apply it can be diff
cult. But this security we must
and shall have. BY way of ex-
ample, all principal new APP
pointeeS to departments and
agencies have been inveSti-
gated at their own request by
the Federal Bureau of Investi-
cation.
Confident of your under
standing and cooperation, I
know that the primary reSpon-
Sibility for keeping out the
disloyal and the dangerous
rests Squarely upon the execu-
tive branch. When this branch
so conducts itself as to require
policing by another branch of
the Government, it invites it's
own disorder and confusion.
I am determined to meet this
responsibility of the executive.
The heads of all executive de-
partments and agencies have
been instructed to initiate at
once effective programs of Sc
curity with respect to their
personnel. The Attorney Gen.
eral will advise and guide the
departments and agencies in
the shaping of these programs,
designed at once to govern the
employment of new personnel
and to review speedily any de-
rogatory information concern
ing incumbent personnel.
To carry out these programs,
believe that the powers Of the