The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-02-25
The World Today
BY JAMES NARROW

WASHINGTON B-In the first
postwar year of 1876. when it was
still a guess whether the country
would be prosperous or go spinning
into depression, Congress passed
a law which said two main things:
i. The government - with the
help of farmers. industry. labor,
cities and states - should try to
work out plans under which there
win be afforded useful employment
opportunities"
(This has sometimes been mis-
called the Full Employment Act
of 1896" It not only didn't say the
government had any responsibility :
for achieving and maintaining fun
employment; it never mentioned
full employment.)
2. And at least once q year the
President should give Congress an
economic report. pointing out
trends and making recommended
tons for helping free enterprise
and providing employment oppor-
tunities.
But how was ex-President Tru-
man going to make such a reportgs
Not being an economist himself, it
was obvious he'd need help. The
question was: Who'd help him?
He could hire good economist
as his chief adviser. The economist
could cali on various sources, pri-
vate and governmental, for infor-
nation on which to base his con-
illusions and recommendations.
Or, the President could let the
main government officials dealing
with economic problems tell him
what they thought. For instance. :
the budget director and the secre-
taries of commerce, labor and the
Treasury.
Or. Truman might try 10 set up
committee made up of those
same government officials and let
them put their heads together and
try to agree on the kind Of eco-
nomic report Truman should sub
NIT to Congress.
Or, the President could have .
staff of professional economists.
completely separate from all other
government agencies and their
inner conflicts. who could survey
the whole scene with some detaeh-
ment and report 10 him.
Congress decided the last m ethod
would be best, so In that same
employment act of 1896 it said
the President should have . three
man Council of Economic Advis-
ers, each drawing $500 a year
and helped by a staff.
From then on until he stepped
out Of office Jan. 20 Truman had
a Council of Economic Advisers.
But the Republicans weren't very
enthusiastic about the council or.
rather. some of the people on the
council.
The first chairman. DR.. Edwin
G. Nourse, resigned after two
years largely in protest against
what he called use Of the council
TO promote the Truman admins
tration's economic programs In
Congress an elsewhere.
He was succeeded by economist
Leon Keyserling. WHO came here
In the New Deal days and testified
before Congress in behalf Of Tru-
man programs. II Keyser.ing
didn't see pretty much eye 10 eye
with him. Truman proba bly,
wouldn't have kept him.
Keyserling and the other two
council members. being Truman
appointees, resigned when Presi-
dent Eisenhower took over. And
the council staff got dismissal no.
tees. Then came a mixup.
At first Il was believed Essen.
hover was going TO abandon the
three-man council idea altogether
and just hire an economist 70 help
him on The plans and recommen-
dations which have TO be made 70
Congress. 7
But recently Presidential Assis.
tant Sherman Adams let Il Be
known that: while the Presided
has not YET been able 70 eomplets
his plans and stating for The
agency che counefil. be believes
II highly important that the agency
be kept"
So. apparently. Eisenhower win
pick q new three.msn council
These members IN turn may not
delight the Democrats. Truman
would rot have hired or kept
economists too Car from his oxn
thinking.
Ard Eisenhower. o. for that
matter any ether rfes.dsni. isn't
likely 10 pick advisers wto differ
much from hts views.