Evening star., 1953-11-22
Bridges 10 Seek Cut
OF S5-S7.5 Billion
In Federal Spending
By J. A. O'Leoy


ate Appropriations Committee
revealed yesterday he will try
to cut Government spending next
year by from $5 billion to $7.5
billion.
He has set his economy sights
higher than the Treasury SpokeS-
man who disclosed Friday that
the administrators goal is be-
tween SIS and Sc billion.
If Congress could reach the
top figure suggested by Senator
Bridges the budget still would
not be balanced for the year
ending in June 1855. But the
deficit would be held to about So
billion. The Treasury goal would
leave the 1855 deficit at $3.5
billion, or almost the same as
the $3.8 billion red-ink figure
expected in June 1854.
Defense Costs Face Big Cut.
From his home in Concord,
N, H.. Senator Bridges told The
Star he has talked with officials
here, and agrees with the Treas
ury spokesman that, obviously,
a spending cut of the size con-
templated would have to in
clude substantial savings on ma
tional security.
In the current budget, 70 cents
Of every dollar goes for the three
related subjects of defense, for
eign aid and atomic energy.
Senator Bridges said that for
eign spending, especially eco
nomlc assistance will be one of
the sources tapped in the 1854
economy drive.
There may be some economic
aid, but much smaller amount
than in the past" he added.
S275 Billion Debt Limit
The first big skirmish of the
next session in the fiscal field,
however, may come over renewal
OF the administrations request
for an increase in the $275 bill
lion national debt ceiling.
The Government is now with
in 5000 million of the ceiling. A
high Treasury official said Fri
day 1t will be impossible to get
through the year without raising
the legal limit.
Senators available for COM
ment yesterday were reluctant
to say what they will do about
authorizing additional debt in
1854. Several of them said they
want to keep an open mind untN
the administration presents ali
OF its figures in January.
This reluctance to speak out
now may mean that the admin
lstration will have a better
chance of getting boost in the
debt limit through the Senate
in January than it had last
August, when a bill raising the
debt limit to $500 billion was
bottled up in the Senate Finance
Committee after passing the
House, 239 to 158.
Byrd Leads Opposition.
But the man who led the fight
against it in August, Senator
Byrd. Democrat. of Virginia, has
made it clear he will continue to
oppose any increase at the next
session. Last August six Demo-
Gratis and five Republicans on
the l5-man Finance Committee
went along with Senator Byrd.
/ The big question is whether
Senator Byrd will be able to hold
this strong bipartisan block to-
gether through full-length ses-
/ sion. At the last session the
issue was raised only a few days
before adjournment.
Senator George of Georgia.
top-ranking Democrat on the
committee, has indicated he
might go along if the Treasury
makes showing in January that
additional borrowing cannot be
avoided
Senator Hoey, Democrat, of
North Carolina said he voted
against the higher debt limit in
August because he felt the ad-
ministration was acting precip-
itately, and could get along until
January.
Wants to Weigh All Facts.
when it comes up again in
January" said Senator Hoey,
I'll be willing to go into it
thoroughly and hear all the facts.
If they can show it is essential,
alright. But I will still have
to be shown"
; Senator Butler, Republican, of
Nebraska, who also voted against
the increase, commented yester-
. day: II hope it won't be neces-
sary. but. not knowing all the
!: facts, I'd have to be open
minded"
Senator Williams, Republican
OF Delaware. another opponent
last August, stuck to no COM
t ment," at this time.
: EnTTArn