Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-21
Budget View

AS one who believes the gen.
eral public. except for a we'll
organized minority, has not
been heard from in connection
with the present hysteria for
budget cutting, / should like
to express my concern with
the present concerted drive
to slash the budget. This drive
seems to become more inten-
sified, regardless of its effect
upon existing programs and
services now being rendered
in the fields of health. educa-
ton and welfare. foreign aid
and technical assistance.
A study Of evidence pro-
vided by various Federal
agencies gives us ample proof
of our ability to support the
kind of budget presented by
the President for fiscal 1858.
The unprecedented productive
capacity Of our Nation now
hovers in the neighborhood of
$500 billion. Employment is
at an all-time high of APP
proximately IS millions, with
wages the highest in history.
And the profits Of American
business continue at record
breaking levels.
These figures have real
meaning for us in terms of
human beings and services.
For one thing. they prove the
greatness Of our Nation as the
most powerful and productive
in history, capable of sustain
ing and expanding present
services; they also reflect our
responsibility to the free
world in its struggle to resist
those forces which would COM
munlze its economy and its
people.
The public must be made to
realize that Of the recon-
mended budget OF S72 billion
$l7.6 billion cannot possibly
be touched because this figure
represents such items as inter-
est on the national debt, price
supports, veterans benefits.
etc. Another S24 billion is ear
marked for appropriations al
ready made. The remaining
$50 billion includes for the
most part additional requests
for defense. foreign aid and
a variety of important do
nestle programs.
While it may be that certain
cuts can be made through
more efficient planning and
use OF Federal personnel in
various programs, the fact is
That the present about econ
omy drive might we'll endanger
the passage of such legislation
as the school construction bill.
BADLY needed urban renewal.
housing programs, public power
Developments and a variety of
services which the President
has indicated are desired by
the American people.
1t Is in the area of nom
defense spending that we must
realize that there has been
only a slight rise since 1919
This is certainly nothing to
become alarmed about if we
remember the extent of infla-
ton which has taken place
since l948. If anything. it is
IN this area of services that
the budget should be stoutly
defended by the President.
Big budget" fears. eener-
ated by special interest groups
should in no way deter the
general community from TAX
ing the offensive in pointing to
the positive factors in our ex-
banding economy which have
m a de possible the gains
achieved up to the present
time and which will guaran-
tee continued and enlarged
services, both domestic and
foreign. The alternative might
well prove disastrous to us and
the world.
Let us hope the President
VIII recognize his responsible
ties and take the initiative as
the representative OF all OF the
people in defending the budget
which America can well afford
in terms of the welfare of its
people, its national security
and its strength as a guarantor
of world peace.
AS for Congress. 1t must not
be Stampeded into ill-conceived
and irrational actions In using
the meat ak" approach to
the budget. 1t is the respon-
sibility Of Congress as much
as the President to represent
all the people and their needs
and to withstand the barrage
OF mail that is for the most
part. apparently. coming from
a well-organized special inter-
est segment OF the community.
ma m q -