Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-02
Byrd George Battle
F orecast on Tax Cut
Senate Fight
Held Likely
On Proposal
BY JOE HALL
Associated Press Stan Writer

A battle between two Senate
veterans - Southern Democrats
George of Georgia and Byrd Of
Virginia-appeared today to be
the probable high light of a
showdown fight in Congress over
cutting individuals income taxes.
Some legislators preparing for
the 1856 session opening at noon
tomorrow were saying that the
Senate may well be the principal
arena for the tax battle, even
though all tax bills must origi-
nate in the House.
Aside from the positions OF
Senators George and Byrd, there
viii be heavy political oyertones
to the issue in this presidential
and congressional election year.
Sharp fights pretty much
along party lines are expected.
too, on such issues as farm poll
icy. Federal aid for schools.
highway construction and others.
Tomorrow's opening sessions Of
the House and Senate viii be
routine. In keeping with the ira
ditional courtesy to the Chief
Executive, neither will transact
anything but routine business
until President Eisenhower sends
his State-of- the Union message
to the Capitol on Thursday.
Same Organization
Since this is the second session
of the Democratic-controlled 84th
Congress. there viii be no organ
rational changes. In both
branches, the same party leaders
and committee chairman. the
latter all Democrats, will con-
tinue in Office.
Strongly favoring an income
tax cut this year is the 77-ycar-
old George. dean of the Senate
and long chairman of its tax
writing Finance Committee.
| Senator Byrd. who took over
1.-THE Finance group last year
when Senator George elected to
become chairman Of the For
Ieign Relations Committee. has
Just as stoutly opposed such a
reduction at a time when the
Federal budget is still in the red,
although approaching balance.
The two Senators are per-
lsonally friendly and are sure to
remain so. But that will not pre-
vent a verbal slugfest.
On the eve of the session,
prospects of an early tax cut
seem more dubious than they
did even a few weeks ago.
Mr.. Eisenhower is understood
to be emitting any recommended
Itions for a cut in his State-of-
the Union message, although a
year ago he said he hoped for
tax reductions in 1856.
/ Cautious Approach
The administration attitude is
reported to be one of sitting tight
for the next few months. with
close looks at economic condi-
tons and the trend in Federal
spending through that period.
Until recently, the feeling Of
most legislators was that an in
come tax cut was inevitable in
this election year. Most of the
talk concerned jockeying over
ways for each party to gain the
maximum political advantage
from such action.
But a new go-slow attitude has
developed among some of the
leaders. who cite these factors:
l. The resumption of cold war
blasts from Russia. with new
alarms in the Far East and seri-
GUS difficulties in the Middle East
and North Africa.
2. The likelihood that this
Congress will act to increase
Federal spending for defense,
highways, school construction
and health programs.
/ Despite these developments,
however. many members in both
parties remain committed to a
tax cut.
An Associated Press poll of the
See CONGRESS, Page Az