Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-11-01
Byrd Serves Notice
He'll Fight Any Plan
To Boost Debt CeiIinq
By J. A. O'Leory

By }. A. O'Leory
Senator Byrd, Democrat, Of
Virginia served notice on the
Eisenhower administration yes
terday he will fight any new
move to increase the $275 bill
lion ceiling on the public debt.
Treasury spokesman have not
indicated whether the side
tracked request for a higher
limit will be renewed in January,
even though a $2-billion borrow
ing operation last week has
boosted the debt to within about
$3.50 million of the ceiling.
Senator Byrd's statement
means, however, that if the
White House decides to reopen
the debt-limit issue Republican
leaders will have a battle on
their hands at the very start of
the session.
Outnumbered by the Demo-
Gratis in the Senate, and with a
bare majority in the House, the
Republicans will have to foster
a spirit of cooperation to at
tract some Democratic votes if
they are to put through any
part of their program.
Democrats May Cooperate.
The situation will be compli-
Gated by the fact that 1854 is
congressional election year. This
means the entire membership of
the House and more than a third
of the Senators will have to
consider how their respective
districts or States stand on every
major issue before they vote.
Nevertheless, there was strong
evidence yesterday that on most
major issues the administration
probably will have the cooper
alton of Democrats like Senator
Byrd, whose independent voting.
records have given them the bal
ance of power in recent years.
In 1854 they will be even more
influential.
On the debt issue, however,
Senator Byrd is adamant be-
cause he believes holding the line
against a higher ceiling "is the
cornerstone of all efforts to
balance the budget"
mo. I haven't changed my
mind" said the Virginian, COM
menting on the small margin
now remaining in Treasury's
borrowing authority. Senator
Byrd led the fight which blocked
the administration bill to lift the
ceiling to $500 billion after it
has passed the House in July.
No FEPC Showdown.
IF the Treasury can get by
until the early part of January,
tax collections will begin to pick
up" he added.
He said January Is brings in
payments from those taxpayers
who estimate their incomes in
advance. and March Is produces
another heavy tax collection. If
the debt ceiling should be
reached in the meantime, Sen
ator Byrd again suggested the
Treasury should draw on the
cash balances it keeps in banks
throughout the country.
From Senator Smathers of
Florida came a further indica-
ton that Southern Democrats
will support major part of the
Eisenhower legislative program.
Senator Smathers said this
would be true unless they kick
us in the teeth" with civil rights
legislation.
Thus far there are no indica-
lions that the Republican lead
ership intends to seek a show
down next year on a compulsory
Fair Employment Practices bill,
which the Southerners have al
ways fought. The subject is still
in committee.
Disputed Issues.
Senator Kerr, Democrat, of
Oklahoma, said he thinks all
Democrats-North and South
will cooperate when they can
reach agreement with the adj
miniStration on detectives. But
he made it clear this would not
cover all subjects. He said he
intends to continue to fight what
he called the indifference" of
Agriculture Secretary Benson on
farm problems. the hard
money" policies of Treasury Sec
rotary Humphrey and the public
power policies of Interior
With the session still two
months away, all signs point to
the following as the most contro-
versial issues of 1854:
/. The new basic farm price
support law, which must be en-
acted before 1855.
2. Revision of the Taft-Hart-
ley labor law.
8. Foreign economic aid, as
distinguished from military
buildup in friendly countries.
4. Taxes and appropriations.
which will assume added i'm
portance if there is no hike
In the debt ceiling.