Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-26
Soviet Leaders
Due 10 Report
.ToParIiament
Special Session Also
Considers Budget;
Defense Item Cut

hOOSOW, OcC. 20 VI - IiC
Soviet Unions Parliament opened
a special session today to adopt
a government budget for 1856
and hear Premier Bulganin and
Communist Party Secretary
Nikita S. Khrushchev report on
their Asian tour.
The budget outlined to the Su-
Ipreme Soviet CParliament) by
Finance Minister Arseny Zverev
put defense spending at 1925
billion rubles. 1922 billion less
than the figure in the 1855
budget.
Mr.. Zverev said the cut was
to permit greater development
of the public economy and cul-
ture. 7
The Soviet Union values
the ruble at IS cents, which
would give a defense expendi-
ture in 1856 of $25, 625, 900 900.
The United States defense
budget for 1855 is $34 billion,
but a comparison of defense
spending is difficult because
much Of the Soviet expense
for that purpose actually is
listed under different head
ingS.)
Atomic Station Underway.
The finance minister also an
nounced the government is now
building several atomic power
stations of $4,000 and 100000
kilowatt capacity. He gave nc
details. but the Soviets already
/ had announced construction of a
100, 00-kilowatt plant was under
way.
/ Mr.. Zverev said the govern
ment's 1856 revenue was esti-
mated at SOL, 200. 900 900 ruhles
and expenditures at 568, 800. 000,-
600 anticipating a surplus Of 49,
100 900, 900.
This represents a slight in
crease in the 1855 budget. which
estimated revenue at 590,192.-
100000 rubles and expenditures
at 563, 1882. DOC. 900.
However, Mr.. Zverev said a
reduction of wholesale prices had
considerably reduced all figures
in the 1855 budget and compare
son Of the two sets of figures
would therefore not give an &C
curate picture.
The finance minister told the
l 400 delegates in the Kremlin's
brilliantly lighted White Hall of
the Soviet that the government
in the past two years had cut
$50, 900 persons from its staff. He
did not say to what other work
they had been assigned, but Mr..
Khrushchev has been directing
a vigorous campaign to swell the
Nations farming population.
Specialists Being Trained
Mr. zverev also disclosed that
the government plans to turn out
100000 specialists with high
school or college educations dur
ing l956--l20,000 more than in
1855.
This apparently was one rea-
son for an increase in the ap-
preparation for social and cul-
tural measures" increased from
1859 billion rubles in 1855 to
1912 billion.
The heavy industry appropria-
ton was cut from 100 billion
rubles In 1865 to 1887 billion but
1T still held major place in the
budget. BY contrast. more
than" 26 billion rubles was allo-
Gated to production of consumer
goods.
Mr.. Zverev said the budgeted
cut in military spending means
the Soviet Union is showing
concern not in words but deeds
in reducing international ten
sion and guaranteeing peace
and security"
The Soviet Union. he assert
ed, will continue to work for
the developing of international
confidence among nations by
means of negotiations and per-
sonal contacts between heads OF
government"
Report of Tour Awaited
In this connection he cited
the Bulganin-K hrushchev visit
to India, Burma and Afghanis-
tan as a positive influence, not
only for strengthening Soviet
friendship with those countries
but also in the cause of world
peace.
There was no announcement
when the premier and the party
boss would tell the delegates Of
their trip, but there were some
reports the session would last
only about three days. Since
New Years is now Russia's ira
ditional big winter holiday and
many delegates must travel long
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