Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-07-02
Confined From Page Al


Democrats are opposed even to
the comproise, however.
The first day of the saith
annual meeting found Cover
nors Of both parties expressing
support for an immediate cut
in Federal income taxes. The
Governors also appeared united
in their opposition to the ad-
ministration proposal for cut
back in the National Guard.
Defense Secretary Mcnamara
was to explain his views on this
to the conference later today.
The conference. additionally
q market place for the ex-
change Of political gossip and
shop talk, began in leisurely
fashion yesterday. Most Of the
I Governors and their families
traipsed off to nearby Gettys-
burg for a visit with former
President Eisenhower and q |
tour of the battlefield.
In the evening. they attended
an open-air reception in the
gardens behind their hilltop
headquarters, the Hershey
Hotel.
Center Of attention at the
social session, in addition to
Gov. Rockefeller, seeking re-
election in New York in Novem-
Der, was CALIFORNIA; Democratic
Gov. Edmund G. (PaD Brown,
who goes up against former Vice !
President Richard M. Nixon in
what is probably the country's
top contest.
Studies Candidacy
J The honor of launching the
first self-propelled 1864 pres
idential boom, surprisingly
enough, went to Gov. Wesley
Powell of New Hampshire. a
conservative Republican.
In a television interview,
Gov. Powell, the current con-
ference chairman. said he was
giving some serious thought
to entering the Republican
presidential primaries in 1864.
Maybe it would be worth while
trying q candidate from q
small State" he said.
Gov. Rockefeller, who was ap-
plying his charm and flashing
q smile at all corners during last
nights reception, today pro-
iduced a unanimous report from
the conference Civil Defense
Committee he heads calling on
President Kennedy and Con-
tgress to speed construction of
fallout shelters.
The report said a public opin-
ion poll taken for the Defense
Department showed that up
ward of two-thirds of the Amer
lean people favor the shelter
program-which Gov. Rookie
feller has made a personal cause
for the last five years.
!. Urge Special Message
The committee urged Mr..
Kennedy to send Congress q
special message emphasizing
the continued urgency. of fall
out shelter construction. The
Presidents proposal for in
centive payments for shelter
building has been stymied so
far in Congress.
The topic that excited the |
greatest interest among the |
Governors, however, was not
civil defense. but tax cuts.
A broad spectrum-ranging |
from such liberal Democrats as |
Gov. Brown and Gov. Michael
v. Disable of Ohio to such con-
sentative Republicans as Gov.
Powell-appeared to find merit
in the proposal for an imme-
diate reduction in Federal
levies.
The California executive told
a press conference that the tax
cut was justified by the fact
that economic growth has not
kept pace with the country's
growth" He said he intended
to discuss his views with the
President in Washington next
week.
The most cautious view on
the tax cut was expressed by
Gov. Rockefeller. He pumped
strongly for an immediate,
basic change in depreciation
schedules" to stimulate bust
ness investment in new plants
and equipment, but said he
was uncertain about the merits
of corporate and personal in
come tax reductions.
Sees Investment Problem
In his view, the Governor
said, the chief problem in the
economy is not consumer spend
ing, which he calls vigorous"
but investment. Fast tax write
offs on new capital equipment,
he said, might have a more
sharply pinpointed effect" than
across-the hoard tax reductions.
I'm not opposing an income
tax cut" Gov. Rockefeller said.
"It has great merits, but we
must also consider the impact
of a tax cut on the hope for a
balanced budget and the con-
fidence in the integrity of the
dollar. That's what makes me
hesitate"
He added, however, that if
the administration decides a
tax cut is In order, it should
take place Immediately and not
be deferred until 1868, as Presi-
dent Kennedy first suggested.
A number of other Governors
suggested that Federal tax re-
auctions might ease the strains
on State finances.
81 think it would be well
coined by State governments"