Evening star., 1955-01-08
The Political Min
Eisenhower Address
Drew d cIeur Picture
Democrats Cont Afford
TO Throw Up Distractions
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
President Eisenhower has set the
pace with his state-of- the Union mes
sage and the Democrats Of the 84th
Congress will have difiiculty bettering
it. His well-worded message calls for
firm policy looking to peace in the
world and for progressive moderate
measures in the domestic field.
About all the Democrats can urge is
that they win go farther and do 1t
better. It would be strange. and q trib-
ute to partisan politics. II the Presi-
dent falls to get favorable action on a
considerable number Of his legislative
proposals. Indeed. the President. poiiti-
cally speaking, pulled the rug out from
under the feet of the Democrats. who
control the new Congress by q mar
row margin.
Further, the President pleaded for
cooperation on the part of the legis-
iators on every issue and measure
where the good of the country is In
volved. He win not. of course. get that
kind of cooperation on all his pro-
posals. But the odds are he viii on Q
majority of them. Public reaction, IA
vorahle to the Presidents address and
program, has already begun to ron In.
II it keeps up. Congress win pay at
tention.
Some Friction Seen.
There are. quite naturally. recom-
1endations in the program that win
cause friction--both between the two
major parties and also within each
party. Take. for example, the Presi-
dents firm support of the continuance
Of the new flexible price-support system
for agriculture. This win be q target
OF the Democrats although the Demo.
Gratis viii not be united. The Demo-
cratic leaders will demand return to
the rigid 90 per cent OF parity price
supports for the basic crops Some Of
the Republican members will 60 along
with that demand. It is exceedingly
doubtful, however. that majorities can
be found in the House and Senate to
upset the flexible program at this time.
Another point Of attack viii be the
Presidents recommendation In regard
to the development Of electric power
in which he wants cooperation between
the Government and private interests.
The Democrats for the most part es-
pouse the public power idea. But here
again, the Democrats will not be solidly
lined up. The Democrats win urge, in
all probability, that the 80 cents an
hour minimum wage. advocated by the
President. be increased to 81 or $1.l0.
They viii want to go further than the
President In the matters Of health in-
slrance and public housing and educa-
tion. It is easily understandable how
ever, that II the President can get
through Congress the recommendation
he made along these lines, 1t win be
an important step in the line Of social
gains.
Hopeful Of Tax Cut.
on the subject Of taxation always
subject Of major interest-the Presi-
dent said, * am hopeful that reduc-
tions can be made next year." That Is
all the Democrats can say, too. With
deficit In sight for the present fiscal
year. they would be on iinsound footing
Il they demanded tax cut at this
time. Indeed. they have said. through
their leaders,, they win support Mr..
Eisenhower's Recommendation that the
present income tax levies On corpora
tions and the present excise taxes on
various commodities and services be
continued, instead or being allowed to
go to lower rates In April.
In some quarters, the Presidents
national defense program Is being as
sailed. Particularly the cut Of 100000
personnel In the armed services. All the
details Of the Presidents program for
the armed services have not been re-
yealed. But. generally speaking, the
the Judgment Of the Chief Executive
in military matters -since he was the
supreme commander In the European
field in World War II and won that
war. It is doubtful that the people will
go along with Democratic members of
Congress II they do attack the Presi-
dents military program.
Mr.. Eisenhower will send many spe-
cial messages to Congress, each deal-
ing with d particular subject in his
program. The first Of these win be
delivered Monday--a message on for
eign economic policy. He told Congress
In his state-of- the Union address: "We
must gradually reduce certain tariff OBJ
stacles TO trade. These actions should.
Of course, be accompanied by d similar
lowering OF trade barriers by other
nations, 80 that we may move stead
lily toward greater economic advantage
for all"
This is q major plank In the Presi-
dents foreign policy-arl one that Is
OF great interest abroad as wen as here.
Specifically. he Is expected to ask for
q long extension Of the Reciprocal
Trade Agreements Act. iiberaiized 20 as
to permit him to reduce tarin duties
stili further. In this proposal. the
President may have stronger Demo-
cratic support than he will receive from
members Of his own party in the Con-
gress. 1t Ii likely he win have success
one way Or another.
A..a.. l A..,..n..