Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-15
Economy Man?


A reporter was close to the mark
the other day when he wrote that
economy under President johnson is
beginning to look like a dreadful
reality" to some members of Congress.
Certainly the new President has
labored nightly and, politically speak
Ing at least, has brought forth a great
deal more than a mouse. He seems to
have won over Virginia's Senator Byrd,
who had been making haste slowly on
the tax bill in the absence of some
assurance of a cut in Federal spending.
Now, after session at the White House
with the President, the chairman of
the important Senate Finance Com
mittee thinks the bill may be reported
out next month and may even be made
retroactive to January /, 1864.
. Edwin Neilan, president Of the
United States Chamber of Commerce,
recently was on the list Of White House
visitors. After an economy" discussion
with the President, Mr.. Neilan emerged
with a broad smile on his face-vowing
that he had an open mind" on whether
he would vote for Mr.. Johnson in 1864.
(What is this world coming to?)
Reports from the outlying pre-
cincts, especially in the South, point
to similar conclusion. The Goldwater
bandwagon is slowing down, although,
Of course, 1t has not been stopped. But
the Identification Of Lyndon Johnson
as Southerner, in spite of his con-
sistent support of civil rights, has taken
some Of the heat out Of the racial
controversy. And his emergence as an
economy" man evidently has a strong
appeal to those whose opposition to
the Kennedy administration was based
as much on "big spending" as on dis
agreement over civil rights.
There IS, Of course, a method In
all Of this. And certain element Of
paradox.
The method seems to be politi-
cal strategy designed to ambush those
politicians who preach economy for
home consumption, but who cry out
in anguish when economy in practice
cuts across some parochial interest In
their own districts. The President, II
he keeps this economy ball rolling,
will be In strong position when the
vociferous critics of Government spend
ing come around to the back door Of
the White House, seeking few million
dollars for some project that is very
dear to the hearts of the folks back
home. If he will Mr.. johnson can say
no-and probably can get away with It,
The element Of paradox is inherent
in the man himself. Lyndon Johnson
came to the House in 1887 as a red
hot supporter Of Franklin D. Roosevelt's
New Deal. He certainly was never a
member Of the Harry Byrd economy
school in either House or Senate. And
even in his recent address to the Joint
session Of Congress, while stressing
economy, he gave his firm Endorsement
to the long list Of legislative proposals
previously sent up by John F. Kennedy
proposals which, If adopted, would
plunge the Federal budget deep in
the red.
1t certainly is not our purpose to
question the sincerity of Mr.. john
sons commitment to economy. Still,
we await with interest the unfolding
of the strategy by which he will cut
the Federal budget without abandoning
any Of the goals of the New Frontier.
Especially when the liberal groups begin
to put the pressure on.
We also wish we could be peeking
over Mr.. Neilan'S shoulder when he
marks his ballot in November, 1864.