Evening star., 1953-12-26
The Political Min 4ats T H4
Republicans Must Stuy
On Job to Win in 1854
Eisenhower's Program
Is Tough, but NtoI to Party
The Political Min
By Gould Lincoln

IS lou9n, Dur VitoI 10 Purty
By Gould Lincoln
Ten days from now the second ses-
sion of the 83d Congress opens, and no
one knows when it will end. Much is
written and said about the pull and the
need of an early adjournment so that
congressman may go home and cam
paign. It's far more necessary, however.
II the Republicans are not to lose the
1854 congressional elections. that the
legislators stay on the job this coming
year until it is completed. That means
putting through the Eisenhower pro-
gram-which the President has said
will carry out the Republican pledges
made in the 1852 campaign. Other Con-
crosses in the past have worked. right
up to the time of election, or nearly so.
President Eisenhower has set the
stage both for the presentation of his
program and for its enactment. In fact,
he has tackled the coming legislative
campaign on Capitol Hill in much the
same way he planned military cam
paigns He has had careful studies made
Of the problems which confront the
country and which may need legisla-
ton. In this he has been aided by
commissions of his own appointment
and by congressional committees. His
second step was to call in all the Re-
publican leaders and committee chair.
men who will be on the front line
when the legislative program is up for
consideration. He knows and they know
the broad principles of the program
and many of its details.
Needs Public Backing.
The President will need the backing
of the American public, and he is not
overlooking that fact. He is convinced
that if the dynamic and progressive
program" he has been framing is prop
erly explained to the people, that sup
port will be forthcoming-an II it is,
congressional balkiness will be at
minimum. He himself is starting q
campaign to inform the public regard
ing the program January 4, when he
goes on the air and television two days
before Congress opens and three days
before he delivers his state-of-the-
Union message at joint session Of
the two houses.
Confronting the President. in addi-
ton to this fight for progressive legiS-
lative program, will be the conduct Of
the country'S foreign policy, which Is
his job, and also problems that may
arise in connection with the economic
situation in this country. Both will
have their influence on Congress and on
legislation. Improved situations in the
world, with promise of peace, would
ease the demands for continued large
or larger defense expenditures. Recess
sions in business and employment
and in foreign trade would make de-
mands upon the President and Con-
gress for steps to cushion the blow. AS
of today, the Eisenhower administra-
ton has done much in the cause Of
peace. 1t has succeeded in bringing to
a halt the fighting in Korea, and the
prospects are that in the end peace
will come with no appeasement Of the
Communist aggreSsorS. It's efforts for
adequate defense and European army
are succeeding. It's firmness is having
effect. The prospects for continued
prosperity, with some reduction OF
taxes, continue good.
Voters Questions.
When the voters go to the polls in
November, 1854. big test for each
individual will be: Are you worse off or
better off under the Eisenhower admin
istracion? Is your Government better
and more economically run? Have the
prospects for peace improved? Grum-
blers today-and there are some under
the whip and spur of New Deal-Fair
Deal criticisms-can make that test
right now. Many of the most loud
mouthed would find the balance sheet
improved. And don't make any mistake
about the benefits to thousands Of
Americans growing out of the cessation
of fighting in the Far East.
No one who has watched Congresses
in action expects the Eisenhower pro-
gram to breeze through this coming
session. Take a look at some of the
major items which must be handled. The
list could choke boa constructor. There
are taxation, defense and foreign aid
spending. spending for ordinary Govern
ment. the debt ceiling which may have
to be heightened. farm price supports,
atomic energy policy, reciprocal trade.
Taft-Hartley labor law amendments and
an increase in the minimum wage, social
security, housing, postal rates; the
Bricker amendment to restrict treaty
making powers, statehood for Hawaii
and Alaska. Many of these subjects
must be dealt with, and many of them
are controversial. There is also the
question of increasing congressional
and judicial salaries-increases which
are overdue. If the congressional lead
ers do not fly at these problems without
the accustomed delay at the opening
of congressional sessions. they will live
to regret it.