The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-30
THE WORLD
TODAY
BY JAMES MARROW

G1SCnnOACA tOQdS AoNCO TIC SCNOh0
big test of his leadership with his
own Republican party in Con-
gresS. The first was on an ambas-
sador. This one is on the excess
profits tax.
The House was to vote today
on whether to continue this tax on
corporations until Dec. 81, as
Eisenhower asked, or let it die
tomorrow, as it automatically
would have done if the President
hadn't interviewed.
Months ago when he sought SEN
ate approval of Charles E. Bohlen
as ambassador TO Moscow, Eisen-
hover ran head-on into opposition
from Sen. Mccarthy of Wisconsin
and some other Republicans. Ell
Senhower won. The fight left no
visible party scars.
But in the case of the excess
profits tax, because of the way he
went about trying to get Congress
to extend it for six months, Ell
senhower may have inflicted some
party wounds which win not heal
and may hurt him later.
In the Bohlen and tax cases
EiSenhower's technique was, in
general way, the same: no per-
sonal, public quarrel with anyone.
Instead, working behind closed
doors, he depended upon his per-
sonal prestige and pressure upon
his party's leaders to get what he
wanted.
But there was a difference.
The contest over Bohlen followed
the classic lines of difference of
opinion fought TO a finish on the
open floor of Congress: a test of
strength between administration
forces and those opposed to it on
a single issue. It happens practic-
ally every day, in one way or an
other, in every administration.
But Eisenhower had made such
an issue of wanting the profits tax
continued, it became a stern test of
his leadership. He could then hard
ly sit idly by while CongreSs-or,
rather, a small group of congress
men-ignored his plea and per-
mitted the tax to die. Or so he
may have reasoned.
At any rate, apparently seeing
himself facing sure defeat unless
he did more than Just ask for ex-
tension of the tax, Eisenhower used
the full force Of his party's leaders
in the House to smash into con-
gressional tradition, pride and pre-
negatives.
Aside from any question of
whether he was right or wrong, it
was a steam-roller attempt to get
what he wanted, and the roller
crushed some toes.
Daniel A. Reed at 70 is the old
est Republican in continuous serv-
ice in the House. This New Yorker,
chairman of the House Ways and
Means Committee which considers
tax problems, wanted the excess
profits levy to die tomorrow night,
as scheduled.
Almost always before the House
votes on a piece of legislation, one
Of its committees must consider il
and approve. Committee approval
is the preliminary to full House
vote. But Reed wouldn't let his
committee, to which the extension
bill was assigned, even meet to
vote approval or disapproval.
Some members of Reeds COM
mittee, Republicans and Demo-
Gratis. feel as he does about the
tax. Perhaps a majority do, But
the fact is he wouldn't assemble
them to vote and there were few
protests from them or other House
members.
Almost every member of Con-
gress has his eye on a committee
Craftsmanship some day, since
Craftsmanship is a position of pow
err and prestige.
So even when chairman or a
committee refuses 10 approve what
. majority Of the House, for in.
stance, might approve if given a
chance to vote, there is great reluc.
lance to criticize or interfere. It's
the old school spirit: Don't step
on me and I wont step on you. :"
With the tax expiration date
approaching and no sign the extern
sion would ever be put to a floor
vote although the tax could be
reimposed retruaetiveIy later-Ei.
senhower put the heat on bis party
leaders in the House. They got
another powerful committee. the
rules committee, 20 yank the ex.
tension bill out of the hands Of
Reed and his committee and send
il 10 the House for vote
II Eisenhower acted because be
thought Reed vas Too hieh-handed
with him, there are members 81
Congress Who think Eisenhower
vas NOS only too high handed with
Reed ard bis committee but with
the traditions and procedures d
Congress itself.
Should Eisenhower win today.
bis tactics viii Be remembered b
those who resort them Shszid be
lose, he's lost H0Fe thar If be had
kept man ard JET Reed scgitse
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