Evening star., 1953-12-05
The Political Mill
Eisenhower Program
To Get Democratic Aid
George Urges His Party
To Foreeo Portisunship
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

BY 6ould Lincoln
President Eisenhower may receive
important Democratic support for items
OF his legislative program, which he will
submit to Congress early in January.
Senator Walter F. George Of Georgia,
in speech delivered in Atlanta, showed
clearly that he would put the good of
the country ahead of partisan politics,
when it comes to tackling the issues
OF economy, of taxation, of agriculture
and of foreign policy. This is not
new attitude for the veteran Georgia
Senator-its been his course during
long and honorable career. It may be
expected that other Democratic men,
berS of Congress will follow a similar
course-provided they find the Eisen-
hover program, or parts of it, are in
the interests of the people.
The President has already told the
Republicans in Congress they must
back progressive, dynamic program
in the interests of the people-such
program as he and his aides are now
preparing. In order to Solidify Repub-
lican support for the various items in
that program, he has asked the Repub-
lican leaders in Congress and the chair
men of standing committees which deal
with the subjects contained to meet
with him for discussion December II.
Is and 10. They are to have a preview
of the program. They will have an
opportunity to make their own Sug-
geStionS with regard to it. The Presi-
dents plan, however, is to crystalline
the program and to get a united Re-
publican Party in Congress for it.
No Democrats Invited.
No Democrats have been invited to
these conferences. The President, how
ever, has not closed the door to any
plan he may have for calling in the
Democratic congressional leaders to
talk over items of his program before
the program is actually delivered to
Congress in his state-of-the-Unio
message soon after the opening of Con-
gress and in subsequent messages con-
tanning more detail. The President.
moreover has made it plain he will
seek bipartisan consultation and sup
port on matters of international policy.
Proclaiming again his complete adj
herence to the principles of the Dem
ocratic Party as laid down by Jefferson
and Jackson and pointing out that his
State has always remained Staunchly
Democratic in elections, Senator George
said: Certainly the Democratic Party
has at this time a great mission and
can afford to resist the temptation to
yield to questionable methods for tenn
porary gain. There is no occasion to
criticize the President of the United
States. He is working hard and is a
man of great industry and patience.
The temptation will be strong to say
with our farmers that the time is over
ripe for change"
Senator George is the ranking DEM
ocratic member of the Senate Commit
tees on Finance and Foreign Relations.
Predicting that the American people
will have to carry heavy tax burden
for years to come, he argued that
Debated economy cannot sustain
budget such as is necessary for national
defense and progress. The answer is
national income of $500 billion or more
and how to accomplish this is both
a problem and a terrific responsibility.
There is no chance of a balanced Fed
eral budget until 1856, he insisted, no
matter who may predict otherwise. He
made it clear there must be budget cuts
port them. He foreSaw cut of 81 bill
lion for foreign aid, because of the great
strides made toward complete recovery
by the Western European countries. due
to help from this country. 'Traditional-
ly," Senator George said, "the Demo-
cratic Party has given the American
people economy in Government. In the
recent past it must be admitted we
noro1oce i,o f11o nA11 i1Nic 20 tint1
of Government and wasteful in expendi-
ture of public funds. 1t is the great
mission of the party to again bring
economy in Government and honesty
in the administration of public affairs"
No Tax Raises.
The Georgia Senator's comment on
the tax situation is of particular in
terest-he does not believe that taxes
should be raised or added to-. which is
in line with the recent comment Of
Gen. Eisenhower. Our tax rates"
Senator George said "are about as high
as they can go aside from a great
national emergency of the magnitude
of another world war. Fortunately, we
can reduce taxes and although the book
economists will advise against it we will
again reach the place in our economy.
if we have not already reached it.
when tax reduction will bring greater
revenue to the Government than back
breaking tax eXactions."
Senator George also expressed an
opinion that personal exemptions.
particularly those for the lower bracket
income taxpayers, are inadequate and
unrealistic. They were fixed. he said
when a dollar was worth a dollar and
work real hardship on people of
fixed and low incomes.
One of the most difficult problems.
which will be covered in the Eisen-
hover program, is the amendment of
the Taft-Hartley labor law. The Pres
ident has expressed his determination
to have the administrations attitude
expressed on this issue. Some Demo-
Gratis have attacked the administration
for its failure up to date to come for
ward with a program of ft-Hartley
amendment. They are for the most
part Democrats who have demanded
repeal of the labor law. The President
will need Democratic support for his
proposed amendments, and he may
receive it. The Taft-Hartley law, after
all, was passed over the veto of a
Democratic President with the aid of
many Democratic votes.
With Mortal Wire