Evening star., 1953-06-13
The Political Mil
Congress Republicans
Face Serious Problems
Tuft's Hand at Controls
Will Help in the Senote
By Gould Lincoln

BY Gould Lincoln
The Republican organization Of the
Senate, although unfortunately de-
prived of the services Of Senator Bob
Taft of Ohio as active floor leader. Is
expected to function effectively. There
are several reasons. First. Senator
Taft's hand will still be on the controls.
Second, Senator Knowland Of Cali
fornia, Taft'S choice to operate as floor
leader until the Ohio Senator is able
to resume fully his leadership, is fully
cognizant of the legislative situation
as chairman Of the Republican Policy
Committee. Further. he is Ca
pable, energetic, forceful and good
parliamentarian. Third, a great deal
of work has been done in standing
committees of the Senate, and legis-
lative proposals will now be forthcom-
ing, dealing with labor, reciprocal trade
agreements and other important
subjects.
The very real admiration, respect
and affection felt for Senator Taft on
both sides of the chamber have been
majority leader announced his tenn
porary retirement as active floor leader.
The Ohio Senator has shown himself
one of the greatest leaders the Senate
has had. He has been a tower Of
strength on Capitol Hill for the Eisen-
hover administration. His courage and
ability have been eXemplified in this
and past Congresses. For example,
when the Republicans controlled the
80th Congress, Senator Taft could
have been chairman of the important
Finance Committee, but he chose to
take on the tough assignment of lead
ing the Republicans in their revision
of the labor laws, as chairman of the
Labor Committee. He did an effective
job, although it brought him the de-
termined enmity of leaders of organ
lied labor. The latter sought in vain
to defeat him for reelection in 1850.
He remains towering figure in the
Upper House.
Facing Some Serious Problems.
The Republicans in the Senate, as
we'll as in the House, face serious
problems for the remainder of the
present session of Congress. There are
important legislative matters to be
dealt with. The House Republican
leaders are intent upon closing the
session by the end of July and not
returning to Washington until next
January. Reports are that the EiSen-
hover administration would like this
program-giving 1t free hand to turn
its attention to the business of running
the Government, instead Of running
constantly to the Capitol to answer
questions of congressional committees.
Some Of the Republicans in the Sem
ate also favor an adjournment in July
until the first of next year-but not all.
Senator Taft's own plan was to get as
much work done before the end of July,
including all appropriation measures.
and then take recess or adjournment
until October. This is a sound idea.
The administrators program, which
demands action before the opening of
the congressional campaign next year,
contains many items which were prom
iSed during the presidential campaign
Of 1852. The early adjournment plan,
with no meeting of Congress until next
January might easily leave a great
mass Of work to be done in the second
session of this Congress.
The Congress will be faced next year
with the duty Of writing a new tax
law-which is not going to be an easy
job. 1t must tackle also the problem
Of reciprocal trade agreements-since
the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
is to be extended now for only one year.
1t will be asked to deal, too. with
important customs reform legislation,
and with labor legislation, If those
matters are not handled in this session
or in the fall months. The promised
statehood bill for the admission Of
Hawaii as the 49th State of the Union
Is another item. Also the administra-
ton is on record as favoring certain
civil rights legislation. 1t has promised
extension Of social security.
A Real Challenge for the G. o. p.
The claim is made by those who wish
an early adjournment Of Congress un-
til January that all of these matters
and others can be handled in the period
between January 3. when Congress will
reassemble, and adjournment In the
summer Of 1854. The fact remains.
however, that congressional action in
the early winter months Of a session
is usually slow, with plethora Of hear
ings and long waits on committees.
This means a dangerous pile-up Of
work.
The election Of a new Congress next
year confronts the Republicans with q
real challenge. They cannot afford to
go into the campaign with record Of
little accomplishment. Here is a ques-
ton Of procedure on which the advice
of Senator Taft should really be sought.
The attitude of one important Re-
publican leader in the Senate-other
than Senator Taft-is that the present
session should be continued until some
of the important measures have been
dealt with--or that recess should be
taken until october.