Evening star., 1953-10-31
The Political Mill
6. 0. P. Hopes Pinned
On Congress- Success
Outcome Of Elections Seen
Ringing on Legislation
By Gould Lincoln


By Gould Lincoln
The outcome of the 1854 congress
sional elections hangs in large part on
an important Eisenhower program Of
legislation now in the making. Re-
publican members of Senate and House
committees and special commissions
are working hard to get into shape the
various important items of the pro-
gram. These include legislative pro-
posals for a Federal farm program.
for amendment of the Taft-Hartley
labor law, for a revision of the tax
laws, for international trade and tariff
laws (the reciprocal trade agreements
SYSTEM, for national defense, for ex-
tension of the social security system,
and for civil rights. In addition, the
Budget Bureau must be ready with it's
Federal budget for the fiscal year 1855.
This is tremendous program in
any mans language. How it is devel-
oped. how it is handled, and how it
fares in the 83d Congress, which is
almost evenly divided politically, will
have Its impact on public thinking and
on the balloting on election day next
year.
The Republican leadership in Con-
greSS, with the acquiescence of the Eli
SenhoWer administration, elected to put
of. not only the final development OF
this program, but also action on it
until the second session of Congress,
which opens next January. The time
element, plus the fact that the Demo-
Gratis in Congress are likely to put up
fierce resistance to administration
meaSures-on the eve of an election
is enough to give the G. o. P. cold
ShudderS.
Slow Progress Blamed.
Had the Republicans been more in
dustrloUs during the early months of
the new administration and the 83d
Congress, they might have been spared
lot of present embarrassment. For
example. they let the program on labor
legislation drift along, resulting finally
ir the resignation of former Secretary
of Labor Martin Durkin. Also, farm
program which had to be developed
was not pressed to a finish, and it is
still In the making. Campaign prom
iSes were made in 1852 to deal with
beth these important subjects, as we'll
as with social security for millions Of
Ne
President Eisenhower has promised
now to have farm program and a
labor program ready when Congress
meets next winter. How they will set
with the farmers and with labor re-
mains to be seen. Many of the farmers
are today on the warpath. Organized
labor leaders have for years demanded
not revision but the repeal of the Taft
Hartley Act and return to the old
Wagner Labor Relations Act. Nobody
delivers the farm vote, and it has been
apparent in recent elections that the
labor leaders do not deliver the So
called labor vote, though some of them
claim they do.
One Of the promises the Republicans
made was that Federal taxes would be
lowered. They have not yet been low
cred for the very good reason that re-
duct'onS in Government receipts caused
by lower taxes would have thrown the
Federal budget further away from ball
ance than it is. bringing larger deficits.
The Korean situation and need for
strong national defense, and in addi-
tion the fact that the Democrats left
the Government legacy of some $50
billion to pay out for items already on
order CT to be ordered, made balanced
budget this year an impoSsibility.
Nevertheless, the Eisenhower admins
tration and the Republicans in Con-
gress must come up with tax reductions
or the voters will be disgruntled.
Breaks Are Bad.
The breaks for the Republicans in
recent months have been bad. A disas-
trous drought complicated the farm
situation. Farm prices continued to
drop and the cost of living to increase.
That's the kind of thing that can lose
elections for a political party in power.
Americans, who find the going difficult,
are usually ready to gamble for some
thing new. The special election to fill
a House vacancy in the 9th Wisconsin
congressional district can only be con-
sidered reflection of the thinking of
Midwest farmers. 1t resulted in the
election of the Democratic nominee,
Lester Johnson, to succeed the late
Representative Hull, Republican and
LaFollette Progressive.
The Eisenhower program for i'm
provements in the social security
system will be eagerly awaited. The
details are under consideration by
subcommittee of the House Ways and
Means Committee. headed by Repre-
sentative Carl T. Curtis, Republican, of
Nebraska. This subcommittee is max
ing a broad, basic study of the whole
problem, which will be ready for use
of the full committee when Congress
meets. One purpose is to extend the
benefits of the system. purpose which
Mr.. Curtis has strongly in mind
All the prospects, therefore. are for
a busy and battling session of Congress.
The House Ways and Means Com
mittee will have its hands full-with
tax legislation, with social security
legislation, and with trade and tariff
legislation. The advocates of higher
tariff protection and those who believe
IN ayor frnar trade than r0w eYietc