Evening star., 1955-01-07
DennocrafsScan
Policies Offered
By Eisenhower
Majority Porty Set
To Buck Much Of
Presidents S Program

To Back Much Of
Presidents Program
Democrats today put aside the
kid gloves they used to handle
President Eisenhower's state-of-
the Union message and rolled
up their sleeves for a session Of
Congress that will be keyed to
the 1866 presidential election.
They had before them an
Eisenhower program which they
could accept in large part; in
fact. some Of their leaders called
It New Dealish."
They also had before them
Gen. Eisenhower's plea for "un-
hesitating cooperation" be-
tween Congress, which they now
control, and the Republican ad
ministration. This plea they
have already given warm public
acceptance.
But while there was no argus
ment with the Presidents urging
to ''let the general good be our
yardstick on every great issue
of our time" signs of Disagree
ment with some of his specific
statements began to appear
l
Attack Many Phases.
Key Democrats criticized the
Presidents plea for continuance
Of flexible price supports, called
his report on economic condi-
tions too optimistic" attacked
his local-Federal partnership"
program on development Of nat
ural resources, and informally
rejected his proposal for Taft
Hartley law revision. They also
quarreled with his minimum
wage boost proposal. disagreed
with his indication that he does
not believe Alaska is ready for
statehood and attacked his de-
fense Of his government employee
security program.
AS expected, there was strong
support In both parties for his
foreign policy objective OF q
durable peace" In fact the
main foreign policy csiticism
came from a Republican, Senator
Mccarthy Of Wisconsin, who said
he was disappointed by the Presi-
dents failure to propose positive
action to free American airmen
held by Chinese Reds.
But there was what might be
an ominous silence from Demo-
Gratis on Gen. Eisenhower's ex-
PLANTATION OF how he hopes to |
achieve cuts In military man
power while maintaining armed |
forces balance.
New Subcommittee Hinted.
The first Of the Democrats
probing operations evidently
would begin with this military |
program. when 1t is laid down
in detail. Senator Russell,
Democrat Of Georgia, incoming
chairman Of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, said he was
seriously considering" setting
up q preparedness subcommittee
to help with the job.
Other Investigations seemed
likely to extend beyond the usual
congressional study of presiden-
tial legislative proposals to in
clude such subjects as the ad-
ministration's security program
firings, Its patronage operations
and kindred subjects.
So far as legislation was con-
cerned, Congress marked time
while the appraisal Of the Pres
ident's program went on and
while party leaders parceled out
committee assignments.
Trade Message Due.
Work will get under way in
the House, it is expected, with
the consideration of the Presi-
dents plea for continuance and
strengthening of the reciprocal
trade program. Gen. Eisenhower
viii outline his proposal on this
point In separate message on
Monday.
On the Senate side, two de-
fense treaties with friendly areas
in Asia probably viii receive first
consideration.
In their comments on the
Presidents message, Democratic
leaders complained that Gen.
Eisenhower was stealing past
Democratic thunder. They re-
ferred to his proposals for ex-
tending health services. adjust
ing the formula for old-age PEN
sions. a promised new school aid
program, extension Of the Small
Business Act and a proposed
huge highway building program