Evening star., 1953-04-14
The Political Mil
Administration Boasts
An EnviubIe Record
Many Accomplishments
Stud Its 2H-Month Tenure

Many Accomplishments
Stud Its 2H-Month Tenure
By Gould Lincoln
Critics of the Eisenhower administra-
ton and the razor edge Republican
Congress claim on the one hand they
have not enacted enough new legisla-
ton in their brief tenure, and on the
other, that they have not repealed any
of the New Deal-Fair Deal legislation
which the Republicans called social
istic." The theory, which has prevailed
for the last 20 years, that Federal
legislation is cure-all is not one that
has been advocated by the new Repub-
lican President. Rather, his ideas run
to the improvement of such laws as we
already have. He has called for
thorough studies looking to that end.
President Eisenhower has been in
Office two and a half months. His ad-
ministration has been going through a
problems. many Of them dealing with
personnel. Even so, it is by no means
without accomplishment.
Economy Moves.
1t has started the ball rolling toward
economy in Government, a great need.
The farther it rolls, the more chance
for relief from crushing taxation. In q
report on the first IS days of the Re-
publican administration, the Republic
can National Committee pointed out
that the Republican Congress had
effected sos per cent cut in the
second supplemental appropriation bill.
Former President Truman had re-
quested $2,313.179,590 for IL depart
ments and agencies. This was reduced
to $943 ,298.728. Under the new order,
the first departments to report, Com
merce, Agriculture, Justice, Labor and
Treasury, trimmed total of $423 $685.
300 from the funds requested by for
mer President Truman in the budget
he submitted to Congress before leaving
office January 20. In addition, the first
13 of the Sc independent agencies re-
porting made cuts amounting to $21,-
$4,000 in the amounts requested in the
Truman budget.
Budget Director Dodge. with the ap-
proval of the President and the cabinet,
issued freeze" on February 3, curb
ing the hiring of additional Government
workers and the start of new Govern
ment building and other projects. Sec
retary of Defense Wilson ordered the
Army, Navy and Air Force to trim their
payrollS of 39,346 civilian employees by
May 31-a move that will save an eSti-
mated $132 million in annual salaries.
He also ordered the armed services to
hold up award of additional construc-
ton contracts until they have been
reviewed and cleared. The department
is reviewing, too, the proposed Truman
$45-billion defense budget to trim of
any fat. Further, the Civil Service Com
mission has pared 1900 workers from
the Federal payroll between January
20 and March /.
Speaking Out Of Turn.
Congress itself will have an oppor-
tunity to do its own pairing of the
appropriation bills for the next fiscal
year, as it reaches them. Decidedly, the
critics who have insisted that the Tru-
man budget and Government spending
cannot be cut have been speaking out
of turn. Really big reductions are in the
offing. according to the Republican
leaders in Congress.
The Eisenhower administration, un-
der the leadership of the President him.
self, has set about revamping the for
eign policy of the United States-along
f1rmer and more definite lines. What
it has done shows signs of bringing i'm
portant results. The death of Stain
and the seemingly changed attitude Of
the Russian government has not shaken
the administration in it's course. On the
contrary, those events may have made
the course easier. The President has
not deviated at all from his position
that the country must be militarily
strong for national defense, although
he has said Russian proposals looking
toward peaceful settlement of our diff
ferences with the Communist countries
should be taken at face value until
proved unworthy.
President Eisenhower, with the ap-
proval of Congress, under Reorganiza-
ton Plan No. l, already has established
a new Department of Health, Education
and Welfare-a project that has been
in the making for long time. A sec
ond plan submitted by the President
would reorganize the sprawling Depart
ment of Agriculture, and third would
merge the National Security Resources
Board with the Office of Defense Mo-
bilization, all looking to greater eff
cheney.
Tidelands Passes House.
The House has passed the tidelands
oil bill and also the bill giving state
hood to Hawaii, and the Senate Is con-
sidering the tidelands bill now. Wage,
salary and price controls have been re-
moved by the President. After months
of declining farm prices. it is reported
there was 3 per cent rise in farm in
come for the month ending March Is.
There has been a halt in the decline Of
beef prices, and the administration has
given 80 per cent price support for but
ter and certain other dairy products.
Chairman Reed of the Ways and Means
Committee has moved to bring the tax
reduction bill before the House.
The Department Of Justice is tighten
ing up income tax prosecutions and Is
doing away with parole favoritism-
looking generally to clean up corrup-
ton.
Senate and House committees are
working on legislation to improve the
Taft-Hartley labor law. Decidedly, un-
der the leadership of the President.
campaign pledges will not be ignored.