Evening star., 1961-04-30


wanted and, the experts say, the
chances are that the House will
make some concessions. Thus, the
earlier defeat may be softened.
The Kennedy Program
On February 81, the President
gave his congressional leaders this
list of l6 pieces of legislation he
said he hoped would be passed
"at the earliest opportunity:
. A temporary 13-week extension
of unemployment benefits (cost-
ing about 81 billion.
. An increase in social security
benefits, including approval for
men to retire at age 81 at reduced
payments.
. A 1897 million program for aid
to chronically depressed areas,
including funds for retraining
workers.
. A support and production
control program for feed grains.
. An increase in the minimum
wage and extension to more than
million new workers.
o Federal aid to education, for
teachers salaries andIor class
room construction.
. Medical care for the aged to
be financed under the Social
Security System.
. Federal aid for college educa-
tion.
. Federal aid for medical educa-
ton.
. Federal support for expansion
OF community health facilities.
. Extension Of the Government
Reorganization Act.
. Ratification Of United States
affiliation with the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD).
. Creation of SO new Federal
judgeships.
. Establishment Of an Office Of
International Travel.
. Easing Of restrictions on trade
with Iron Curtain Countries.
The list apparently was not
meant to be all-inclusive. Mr..
Salinger later told reporters the.
Presidents farm recommendations,
revisions in the Eisenhower budget
and natural resources proposals
would be of similar Importance.
Neither Mr.. Kennedy nor his
press secretary mentioned civil
rights legislation nor a new tax
plan.
The President has sent a steady
stream of major messages to Con-
greSs, covering such things as the
creation Of Peace Corps Of young
men and women to provide Skills
for underdeveloped countries. His
most recent message called for a.
new code Of ethics for Federal
employees.
After 100 days, this Is Mr.. Ken
nedy'S legislative score: Five Of
his l6 priority measures have been
passed by Congress.
Four of the five have been
signed by the President: The
DECD treaty; the feed grains pro-
gram; temporary unemployment
pay extension and the reorganiza-
ton measure. The fifth, depressed
areas, is on his desk awaiting
signature.
A Good Percentage
Considering the natural tend
ency of Congress not to drive hard
at the beginning of session, his
record is fairly good for a new
President.
Statistically, 1t Is a better rec
ord than that made by President
Eisenhower in his first 100 days
while trailing far behind Frank
lin Roosevelt's mark of is major
pieces Of legislation enacted.
OF the remaining Kennedy pro-
posals, the most controversial are
medical care for the aged, the
$2.3 billion for grants for public
school classroom construction and
teachers salaries, a multi-billion
housing program and a new tax
plan.
AS indicated, the administra-
tion's minimum wage proposal is
likely to return to the White House
in watered-down form. Final ac-
ton in Congress may come this
week, although the Joint Confer
ence Committee has not yet COM
pleted action.
Budget
On March "a, MIR. Kennedy sent
4