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Ford Newsletter, Apr.-June 1954
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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This document scanned from Box D1 of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
FOR RELEASE April 1, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
This past week on two successive days your Congressman had the opportunity
to see vividly in color the highly secret motion pietures of the horrible destructive-
ness of our latest atomic and hydrogen weapons and then within 24 hours to hear about
the tremendous potential peacetime uses that can follow from nuclear research and
development. After viewing the pictures of our most recent super botth tests I
almost wished our scientists had failed to develop such destructive forces even
for wartime use but the next day when the possible industrial, non-war benefits were
described by responsible engineers my doubts were set aside provided the United
States is wise enough to utilize fully non-governmental forces.
How is Michigan's future tied in with atomic energy? Three years ago two
Michigan companies, the Dow Chemical Company and the Detroit Edison Company, joined
together to study the possibilities of utilizing the heat of miclear fission for
industrial purposes. This project was the first attempt to enter the business of
atomic energy with private funds, not supported or subsidized in some way by the
federal government. Since this beginning twenty-four comparies have become a part
of this free enterprise team including four Michigan companies, namely, Bendix
Aviation Corporation, Consumers Power Company, Ford Motor Company and Wisconsin-
Michigan Power Company.
The major effort of the Dow-Detroit Edison Project is aimed at the develop-
ment of a breeder reactor because such type of reactor is least wasteful, actually
breeding more full than it consumes, thus contributing to the United States supply
of fissionable material-indeed with great potential of giving the government some
independence from necessity of foreign sources of fissionable materials, and having
great likelihood of commercial advantage. Studies calculated to keep abreast of
other developments of similar nature are being carried on.
The technical development on the project is being reported to the Atemic
Energy Commission for governmental use. The results from this private-enterprise
program should be of tremendous value to the military and defense forces. This
benefit is given to the government by the companies without charge thus saving
instead of using tax dollars. The companies now have fifty men and $2,600,000
employed for this year on the project. If this study is successful it will mean
more power, more industries, more employment, more products for Michigan.
ORD
LIBRARY
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW, Page 2
For these benefits to be achieved private enterprise must have the assistance
of Congress to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. When the Atomic Energy Act
was first enacted the Congress was charting a course in an entirely new field and
the emphasis was rightly on the preservation of atomic development for our national
defense. In other words the Congress created a monopoly with Uncle Sam as the
monopolist. The last eight years have shown that atomic development can be used
for national health, safety and industrial growth. Consequently it
seems highly desirable for Congress to amend the Atomic Energy Act to permit
responsible private companies and individuals, under proper safeguards to use their
own funds and talents in atomic research and development where mankind will benefit
in our day-to-day living.
A most interesting situation was recently pointed out in the President's
budget which Ike submitted to the Congress early this year. My subcommittee on
Army Appropriations developed the details to a greater extent.
In July 1953 the Korean War fortunately ended. With the ending of this
horrible conflict as promised by President Eisenhower the Army immediately re-
analized its future needs for tanks, ammunition and other military equipment. In the
first 8 months of the fiscal year the Army canceled more procurement c ntracts than
it awarded to the extent of approximately $118 million. From July 1, 1953 to
February 28, 1954, eight months, the Army canceled its procurement contracts at such
a rapid rate because the immediate need for certain military equipment had changed
t. mendously. However, the Army in the interim decided it does need new and more
potent weapons. Consequently, in the four months beginning March 1, 1954 the Army
will award new procurement contracts totalling $1.5 billion. When you compare the
first 8 months where there was a net deficit in contract awards of $118 million
with the next 4 months where the net procurement awards will tdal $1.5 billion, one
can see the shot : the American economy will get in the months ahead. I'm no
long-haired economist or highly paid financial wizard but it seems to me that
pumping one and one-half billion dollars into the American economy should have a
very favorable reaction plus the fact it will give our Army the newest and finest
weapons for our national defense.
VISITORS: Mr. and Mrs. W. Taggert, Jr., Mr and Mrs. Dennis S. Omera,
Mr. Henry A. Plaegstra and Mr. James Bounema, all of Grand Rapids.
FOR RELEASE April 8, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
The Congress has passed and the President has signed the bill authorizing the
establishment of an Air Force Academy which in time will be comparable to the Army's
West Point and the Navy's Annapolis. According to Air Foree officials the first
class of cadets will enroll in July, 1955.
The method of selecting the first elass is as follows. The number of vacancies
allocated to each state is proportionate to the total representation in Congress.
Michigan on this formula is allocated ten vacancies for the first class. Each
Senator and Representative from Michigan may nominate not to exceed ten camdidates
who will be eligible to compete for these vacancies. Based on competitive exami-
nations, appointments will be made from among qualified candidates in order of merit.
Any young men in Kent and Ottawa counties interested in attending the new
Air Force Academy and making the Air Force a lifetime career should write me in
Washington without delay.
The law provides that the Air Force will temporarily use existing facili-
ties for the new Academy but that a permanent site will be selected in the near
future. The State of Michigan through our Senators and Representatives is actively
seeking the establishment of the Air Force Academy within its borders. For many
reasons Michigan is a logical location. The final decision rests with a committee
appointed by the Secretary of the Air Force.
Too often fabulous discoveries for the benefit of mankind are crowded off
the front page by highly controversial but certainly less substantial matters. How
many citizens know, for example, that Army medical research has produced a drug
called primaquine which actually eures malaria. Testimony before my subcommittee
on Army Appropriations indicates "malaria now ceases to be a major military problem."
Incidentally in World War II the cost of maleria was measured in terms of nearly
one-half million cases and almost 9 million lost man-days.
The new drug, according to an Army medical expert, "is an actual cure. It
is more than the old atabrine idea which was just a suppressive of symptoms. It
actually clears up the maleria and cures the individual. It is not used as a pre-
ventive although I presume it could be."
This should be particularly important to GIs who contracted malgria in
World War II. Primaquine will cure old as well as new cases. If there are veterans
who want further information on this by all means contact my office in Washington.
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW, Page 2
The President has approved the excise tax-reduction bill passed by the House
and Senate. The estimated annual saving to American taxpayers is $999 million. This
federal tax cut plus the others contemplated will put about $100--maybe more--in the
average tax
this year and each year thereafter. In the past Uncle
Sam has been a substantial sharecropper in your pocketbook. President Eisenhower's
reform and tax-reduction program is aimed at lifting this burden so that each
citizen will have more of his own money to spend for himself and his family. The
tax reductions coincide with cut-backs in federal expenditures so the treasury will
approximate a balance between receipts and expenditures.
Incidentally to save money the new administration has slashed the number
of federal job-holders 128,873 in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.
In 1953 a total of witnesses before Congressional committees took refuge
behind the Fifth Amenement; in other words, exercised their prerogative against
self-incriminatión in their refusal to answer pertinent questions about Communist
affiliations and other associations. The number of individuals who used the Fifth
endment in 1953 was higher than in any previous year. This fact would seem to
indicate an accelerated fight by the new administration against the Communist con-
spiracy. The House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1953 144 witnesses
who took refuge behind the Flfth Amendment. Out of the overall total of 317 for
all Congressional committees the record shows 85 of the witnesses were employed at
one time by the federal government.
VISITORS: Miss Carol Holmes, Miss Harriet Mulder, Miss Karen Dawson, Mr.
Ed Damson, Mr. Bob Damson, Mr. Clarence Yutema and family, Mr. and Mrs. Willard
R. Watson, Miss Betty Watson, all of Holland; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bornbos, Miss
Marguerite S. Kerns, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Van Oosten, Mr. and Mrs. R. deGraff of
Grand Rapids, and Mr. and Mrs. Leon J. McVoy of Ada.
For Release April 15, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
The House of Representatives has approved the "anti-traitor" bill which
authorizes the government to use in federal courts evidence obtained by wire-tapping
in criminal cases involving treason, sedition and other acts endangering the national
security. The final House version permits the Attorney General to use wire-tap
evidence the FBI and other government agencies already have, but in all future cases
the Attorney General would be required to obtain a federal court order before tapping
wires of the various subversives who are seeking to undermine the security of the
United States.
For many years the FBI and other government investigating agencies have
tapped wires in order to keep track of the nefarious activities of foreign agents.
However, under several decisions of the U. S. Supreme Court this evidence has not
been admissible in federal court proceedings. The bill approved by the House remedies
this situation and in effect gives our government another tool, and a mighty good one,
in the never-ending struggle against foreign agents, traitors, and subversives.
Do you remember the famous Judith Coplon trial? She was accused and con-
victed in a lower federal court of violating laws involving the national security.
On appeal to the higher courts her conviction was reversed on the ground that certain
evidence used in the trial was acquired by wire-tapping. The House bill, since it
authorizes the use of all previously acquired wire-tap evidence, will probably
result in another Coplon trial. In addition there are other important criminal
cases involving treason and espionage where the Attorney General can proceed provided
the Senate concurs with the House action. For our nation's security it is vital that
such legislation be approved during this session of the Congress.
Ths House has approved legislation to make Hawaii the 49th State in the
Union. The Senate took favorable action on statehood legislation for both Hawaii
and Alaska. President Eisenhower has officially and emphatically endorsed statehood
for the Hawaiian Islands but apparently doubts the desirability of including Alaska
as a state at the present time. The Governor of Alaska recently suggested that the
more populated areas in the territory be made a state with the remainder left in
territorial status. At a recent press conference the President was asked his reaction
to this suggestion and Ike indicated this might be a solution. At the moment it
would be hazardous to predict the outcome but there is considerable likelihood that
we may have one or more states in the Union before too long. Certainly more progress
LIDRARY
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW - Page 2
has been made on this problem in this Congress than at any time in past history.
It has been made emphatically clear that the U. S. does not intend to
recognize Red China. Secretary of State Dulles reiterated that the presence of China
at the Geneva Conference does not imply or infer recognition. President Eisenhower
flatly stated in his last news conference that our government's attitude toward Red
China has not changed.
There has been considerable discussion lately about subversive influences
in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Since May 1949 a total of 590 officers and enlisted
men have been discharged from the Armed Services because of questionable loyalty or
for security reasons. This is a small number compared to total manpower in all three
branches of the service but the existence of one such person in military uniform
cannot be tolerated. To eliminate this danger Secretary of Defense Wilson recently
set up a new anti-subversive program which will clean out any and all security risks
in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Secretary Wilson should be commended for this
emphatic and effective house-cleaning in the Armed Services.
VISITORS
From Holland--
Mr. and Mrs. Willard R. Watson, Betty Watson, Phillis Hubert,
Lee Packard, and George, Sara, and Cherry Copeland.
From Rockford--
Mrs. Willis A. Young and Mrs. Vernon dePuy.
From Grand Rapids--
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hibbard and John Jr.; Patricia Sligh,
Alice M. Dutcher, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Leonard and Mary Ann, Margaret, Kathleen,
and Edward Leonard; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin A. Johnson and Margaret Johnson; Herbert
Daverman, John A. Vander Ark, Florence Peterson, Ivan Brown, Mary Ann Haan, Mr. and
Mrs. Benjamin Cueny, Mrs. Pat Loomis, and Mrs. Carol Josephson.
LIBRARY
FOR RELEASE April 22, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
Your Congressman Just concluded two months of committee hearings on the Army
appropriations for the next fiscal year and within the past few days the Committee
made its final recommendations for reductions in the President's proposed $8.2
billion budget for the Army. It is a unanimous committee report with the Democrat
members supporting the Republican majority in the decreased amounts. The exact
reductions cannot be published until April 26th but I can assure you they will be
helpful in bringing the President's budget into balance and at the same time the
amounts allowed will be sufficient for a strong Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Within several weeks your Congressman will start new Committee hearings on
the President's budget requests for foreign aid for our allies. As proposed by
President Eisenhower the foreign aid program for next year represents a 42 per cent
cutback from what it was two years ago under Mr. Truman. This sizeable drop in
foreign aid spending reflects Ike's campaign promise to reduce federal expenditures.
It should be added the Congress itself will take a good look at the proposed foreign
aid appropriations and it is quite possible, and in fact rather likely, that the
House and Senate will make reductions in the funds requested by the White House.
Out of the foreign aid program 72 per cent will be for military assistance
to friendly nations that are allied with the United States in the "cold war" against
Soviet Russia and its satellites. A major share of the military assistance funds
are recommended for tanks, guns, planes, and ammunition in Indo-China where the
native forces and the French are locked in a bitter war against the Communists to
keep southeast Asia from falling behind the Iron Curtain.
At the moment it would be difficult to predict exactly what the Congress will
do with the foreign aid budget but the prevailing sentiment in the House and Senate
would lead one to believe that the non-military aspects of the program will have
tough sledding. In addition, any allies who drag their feet in the joint anti-
communist effort will undoubtedly receive correspondingly less help from the United
States. In other words, if some of our allies fail to do their fair share in the
common defense of the free world, our nation cannot and should not continue to
"pick up the check." It would appear that Secretary of State Dulles has 80 informed
these nations.
LIORARY
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW -page 2
Here is some good news about business conditions in the United States. In
March 1954 there were more gainfully employed people in this country than in any
previous peacetime month. This March there are 60,100,000 persons employed in the
United States compared to 57,551,000 in the same month in 1950. In the past few
weeks a good many political drepe-hangers, in and out of Congress, have flailed
their arms and shouted words of doom, gloom, and despair. or course, these same
prophets of disaster were pecularly mouse-like in 1950 when unemployment was far
greater and the number of gainfully employed was far less than at the present time.
When we put the 1954 figures in their proper perspective, one can really see the
United States' economy is in good shape, certainly far better off than in 1939 or
in 1950.
This past week the House of Representatives approved the Department of Agri-
culture Appropriation bill and provided funds in conformity with the President's
and Secretary Benson's program. The Soil Conservation Service will have sufficient
money for good technical assistance for permanent farm conservation. In addition,
there will be an expansion of the extension service and the agriculture research
programs.
VISITORS:
Miss Marthene Kuieck, Miss Shiela Mulvihill, Miss Jo Ann Van Kolken, Miss
Ellen Ruff, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ponshair, Mr. James Ponshair, Mrs. Ernest Caelli,
Miss Eleanor B. Hawkins, E. Winship Skeen, Mrs. Arnold Skeen, Gordon Skeen, Virginia
Lee Daughtrey, William Posthuma, Marcia Zwier, Marilyn Timmerman, Corrine Kass,
Marilyn Zwier, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Parmer, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Freeman and James
and Betty Freeman, Mr. J. E. Wright, Mrs. M. M. Wright and J. E. Wright, Jr.,
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Tiffany and John and Joseph Tiffany Jr., Mr. and Mrs. C. David
Barnes, Steve Barnes, Betsy Commer, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hoven and Miss Ann Hoven,
Mr. and Mrs. Silas F. Albert, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Ebert and Bill and Jerry Ebert,
all of Grand Rapids; Mr. Gerry Schermer of Zeeland, and Mr. Peter Van Eyck of
Ho lland.
FOR RELEASE April 29, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
In the first session of the 83rd Congress the House and Senate enacted into
law 72 per cent of the legislation recommended by the President. In contrast,
during his years in office former President Truman had a "batting average" of
42.9 per cent. Comparatively speaking Ike's record in 1953 was excellent. The
question is now raised: How well will President Eisenhower do on his legislative
proposals this year during the second session of the 83rd Congress?
The President's legislative leaders, and they largely control the legislative
schedule in the House and Senate, recently predicted IKe's program for a better
America will do as well in the Congress in 1954 as it did in 1953. Here is a
summary of the program on which favorable congressional action is contemplated:
1. Annual federal tax savings of some $7.4 billion through legislation
that modernizes our whole tax structure. Almost two-thirds of these tax reductions
go to individual tax payers. 2. Expanded and improved Social Security for
millions of Americans. 3. A housing plan aimed at low-cost homes built by
private enterprise, with extended mortgage payments and low interest rates.
4, X billion dollars of federal support for new highways annually. 3. The
St. Lawrence Seaway which is vital for the national defense and the continued
economic, agricultural and industrial growth of the middle west, particularly
Michigan. 6. More hospitals and better public health facilities. 7. Sound
and effective anti-subversive legislation to strengthen U. S. internal security.
8. Equitable revision of the Taft-Hartley Act. 9. Legislation for a healthy
and prosperous agriculture. 10. A federal budget which comes ever nearer to
balance despite sizeable funds for national defense and long-overdue tax re-
ductions.
The Congress will undoubtedly adjourn on or about July 31st. It is my
personal opinion that the bulk of Ike's legislative program, in all probability,
will be approved by the House and Senate prior to that date.
For the past three months your Congressman, as Chairman, has been handling the
committee hearings on the budget requests for the Department of the Army. Our
hearings have been considerably less sensational than others involving the Army.
Despite the lack of headlines the committee has aecomplished its essential work
ABR48
and done it well.
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW - Page 2
President Eisenhower in January, 1953 requested $8.2 billion for the Army
for the next fiscal year beginning July 1st. My committee has recommended a
tal reduction of $595 million in the budget estimates. With the funds avail-
able our Army will be the greatest ever maintained by this nation on a full-year
basis in the absence of actual warfare.
For the Army, Navy, and Air Force as a whole the committee has recommended
reductions totalling $1.2 billion out of President Eisenhower's defense budget of
$29.8 billion. Anoter reduction proposed is a recission of $500 million in Army
procurement funds, mostly for Korea, previously approved for guns, tanks, and
feder
1.
vehicles during that conflict. The committee also recaptured for the federal
stock
for
,
easu'
treasury $550 million in overfunding for the Department of Defense stock funds.
What is America's stake in Indo-China? The loss of Indo-China to the Com-
munists would doom Burma and Thailand, making the conquest of the rest of South-
ease Asia inevitable. This would threaten the Philippines and Japan. Our
positions in Korea, Okinawa, Formosa, and Hawaii would be endangered. Southeast
Asia is the ricebowl of the Far East. It is rich in rubber, cotton, tea, sugar,
coffee, and pepper. It has significant deposits of tin, tungsten, zine, lead,
coal, iron, and phosphates. The loss of these resources to the free world and
to friendly nations in the Far East, and their acquisition by Communism, would
be disastrous to the balance of power in the world. If the Pacific countries and
Southeast Asia were lost, 228,000,000 more people would be added to the Communist
manpower strength. This would be in addition to the 450,000,000 Chinese already
under Communist control.
VISITORS: Mr. and Mrs. Silas F. Albert Mrs. Mary Milanowski, Mr. Don Milanowski,
Mrs. Josephine Michals, Miss Rita Milanowski, Mr. Roman Snow, and Mr. John A.
VanderArk all of Grand Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Vander Hill and family from
Holland, and Mrs. Thomas Daggett of Cedar Springs.
FOR RELEASE May 6, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
The St. Lawrence Seaway moved a big step forward last Thursday when the House
Committee on Rules by a vote of 7 to 5 cleared the legislation for the big floor
fight which is now scheduled for May 5th and 6th. For over 20 years the St. Lawrence
Seaway has theoretically been on the Congressional legislative agenda with little
or no affirmative action. The late Senator Arthur Vandenberg was one of the Seaway's
most ardent advocates but he was always roadblocked in his efforts by forces that
kept this project pigeon-holed. With the determined and effective assistance of
President Eisenhower the St. Lawrence Seaway bill passed the Senate early in 1954.
Senators Homer Ferguson and Charles Potter from Michigan led the successful fight
at the other end of the Capitol and the Michigan delegation will do the same on the
House Side.
From all appearances this long and bitter battle can be won fin the House
of Representatives but the opponents of the Seaway are planning to offer an amend-
ment, which if approved, will in effect scuttle the project. There are always two
methods to defeat legislation. One is the direct approach where the opponents
simply have the votes to win on a roll-call. The other is by an amendment which
indirectly sabotages the basic legislative objective.
The opponents of the Seaway will certainly resort to both methods but their
best chance of success lies in an amendment to be sponsored by Representative
Brownson of Indiana. On the surface the so-called Brownson amendment is harmless,
in fact as depicted by its sponsors it is highly desirable. In reality the appro-
val of the Brownson amendment would likely tie up the Seaway in lengthy and involved
court litigation to such an extent that Canada would proceed on its own to construct
the project. President Eisenhower and all other proponents of the St. Lawrence
Seaway are unified against the Brownson amendment and on Thursday the House of
Representatives will make the final decision. Your Congressman plans to be in the
forefront of the fight against any hamstringing devices which will handicap the
initiation of immediate construction of this project which is so vital to the con-
tinued economic growth and prosperity of the State of Michigan, the Middle West,
and the nation as a whole.
A few days ago Secretary of Agriculture Bensen announced a program to
facilitate the sale in approved friendly countries of United-States-produced butter
or butterfat recombined with domestic-produced nonfat dry milk solids for conversion
JBRARY
into liquid mild. This is another forward-looking step by Secretary Bensen to
Y UR WASHINGTON REVIEW - Page 2
provide outlets for government-owned dairy products. The program will encourage
the use of milk in various parts of the free world where milk is in short supply
and to which the shipment of whole milk would not be feasble. The Agriculture
Department will offer butter from its surplus stocks for sale on a competitive-bid
basis. Butter so purchased may be exported, or may be marketed in domestic trade
channels provided an equivalent quantity of I.S.-produced butterfat is exported
for recombination use. This program along with others will help to alleviate the
dairy situation.
Several weeks ago following the death of Senator Dwight Griswold, the Governor
of Nebraska, appointed Mrs. Eva Bowring to fill the unexpired term. Mrs. Bowring
is the second lady now serving in the Senate, both Republicans. She joins Mrs.
Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, who is completing her first 6-year term.
Mrs. Bowring, who owns and personally operates a ranch in Nebraska, has
been extremely active in civic and political affairs. When asked how soon she
would be sworn in as the new Senator, Mrs. Bowring replied, ""As soon as I can
kiss my cows goodbye."
VISITORS:
Sister M. Aquin, O. P., Sister M. Blanche, O. P., Sister Mary Bride, O. P.,
Mrs. Edward J. Frey and Dave Frey, Dr. and Mrs. E. W. Schnoor, all of Grand Rapids;
Jim Sinke, Arthur D. Wheeler, Vernon Verplank, Mayor Claude VerDuin, Louis H.
Breitels, J. F. Ledusky, Bart Singerling, Jake Toxopeus, P. Murdick, Anne Ronda, G. Haven;
Mr. and Mrs. Neal VanLeeuwen of Spring Lake, Ted R. and Donald J. Smith of Grand-
ville.
FOR RELEASE May 13, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
In all likelihood by the time this report is printed and read President
Eisenhower will have signed the legislation authorizing United States participation
in the long-delayed St. Lawrence Seaway project. The entire nation will derive im-
measurable benefits from the Seaway but Michigan will be one of the principal bene-
ficiaries.
Construction on the locks, dams, and channel will undoubtedly start this
fall and the job will be completed within five years. It will be an historical
event in our State when the first deep draft ocean-going vessel loads up with
Michigan industrial and agricultural products and commodities for shipment to ports
all over the world.
The St. Lawrence Seaway until May 1954 has been stymied in the Congress
for over 35 years. It took the forceful leadership of President Eisenhower and his
administration leaders in the House and Senate to crack this legislative roadblock.
On the final vote in the House, 145 Republicans and 95 Democrats favored the St.
Lawrence Seaway.
It should be pointed out that the Seaway will be a completely self-
liquidating project. Tolls will be charged those vessels thatuse the 27-foot
navigation channel and the funds collected from the tolls will pay off the entire
cost of construction plus the interest charges and the maintenance and operation
expenses. The money our government puts in this joint American-Canadian project
is a sound business investment which will pay big dividends for the nation. In
conelusion it should be pointed out that our top military leaders were of the firm
conviction that the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway was absolutely vital
for the effective defense of the North American continent.
On May 5th in Washington, D. C., Dr. L. G. Kortenhorst, Chairman, Second
Chamber of the States General of the Netherlands, representing the people of the
Netherlands and the Dutch government presented a 49-bell carillon, known as Bells
for America, to all the citizens of the United States. Speaker Joseph Martin of
our House of Representatives, gratefully received this magnificient gift and in his
acceptance remarks made this apropos comment:
"When we consider the motives which prompted the Netherlands people to
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW Page 2
make us the gift of this carillon, we understand more readily why one of these bells
is dedicated to peace. While I would not want in any way to detract from the
harmony of the bells, which is the secret of the perfection of this carillon, I do
hope that it will be the sound of this bell of peace which will ring the loudest."
Dr. Kortenhorst pointed out that May 5th was significant for on that day
in 1945, nine years before, American flying-fortresses dropped food and medicine to
Netherlands cities and villages where 3 million people were then suffering from
hunger, weakness, and illness. To show their gratitude for this aid and for our
post-war help the people of the Netherlands sent to America this carillon, one of
300 in the whole world, and each of the 49 bells is representative of a particular
group of the Dutch community or of that part of Netherlands territory which donated
it.
The carillon is temporily set up near the Lincoln Memorial but shortly
a permanent tower will be constructed across the Potomac River adjacent to the
Arlington Cemetary. The tower and bells will be a constant reminder of the joint
sacrifices and aspirations of these two freedom-loving nations.
In recent weeks many letters have been received asking what the Congress
has done or will do about changes in the Taft-Hartley Act. Early this year Presi-
dent Eisenhower submitted to the House and Senate his specific recommendations for
revision in existing labor-management legislation. Two Congressional committees
have completed long and extensive hearings on this important legislative matter.
The Senate as a whole brought up the legislation first and on Friday, May 7th after
a week of debate sent the bill back to committee by a vote of 50 to 42. On this
issue the Democrats voted solidly against any changes in Taft-Hartley and were joined
by 3 Republicans. The 42 Republicans supported President Eisenhower in an effort
to make fair and reasonable changes in the Taft-Hartley Act. On the basis of the
Senate action on this bill it is difficult to frecast what steps will now be taken
by the House of Representatives on this part of the President's program.
VISITORS: Mrs. John A. Vary and children, Beth, Jim and Mark, Mr. R. W. Bullock,
Mr. Sydney P. Harris, Miss Marian German, Miss Maxine E. Fuson, Mr. G. S. Carbon-
neau, Mr. Harry Jennings, Mr. Samuel T. J. Grammona, all of Grand Rapids; Mr. N. E.
FORD
Borgeson of Lowell, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Marks of Kalamazoo, and District Attorney
Wendell Miles.
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FOR RELEASE May 20, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr,, M. C.
The Senate Committee on Finance, after receiving the testimony of over
200 individuals and organizations is now in the process of drafting its previsions
of the Eisenhewer tax revision bill. Forecasters predict the final version of
this important legislation will have Congressional approval by June 15th.
The President's tax revision and reduction program is the first attempt
in over 50 years to modernize and simpli"y the entire federal tax structure. It
has two aims: 1. To lessen tax inequities for millions of individual taxpayers;
and, 2. To encourage small business to stimulate production, and to create more jobs
by encouraging initiative and investment.
Here are a few specific provisions to indicate how millions of Americans
with varying incomes will benefit. By allowing a child as a dependent even if
the boy or girl earns more than $600, over 1,300,000 taxpayers will get a long-
overdue benefit. By making the first $1,200.00 of retirement income non-taxable,
more than 1,500,000 taxpayers such as retired teachers, firemen, policemen and
others will get a deserved break on their income taxes. By allowing larger de-
ductions for medical expenses, over 8,500,000 citizens will find their federal taxes
reduced. By authorizing more liberal deduction of interest under installment-
purchase contracts, it is estimated a 1,600,000 taxpayers will benefit. By a more
liberal allowance for soil-conservation expenses and investment, 500,000 American
farmers will derive definite tax savings.
When Congress winds up this session it will have reduced federal taxes by
approximately $7.4 billion annually with a vast majority of the savings accruing
to individual taxpayers. These tax cuts have only been justified because the
Eisenhower administration has substantially reduced federal expenditures in the
first 17 months of its stewardship of our government.
On May 25th your Congressman is scheduled to appear on "Town Hall Meeting
of the Air," a nation-wide radio program, with Senator George Smathers, Democrat
of Florida. The subject of our debate--"which Way for Industry--North or South."
The program will be broadcast over the ABC network.
This past week sizeable delegations from Hawaii and Alaska have been in
Washington pleading their case for statehood for both territories. In 1953 the
House of Representatives approved a bill granting statehood for Hawaii and early
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YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW - Page 2
this year the Senate okayed a joint bill to make Alaska and Hawaii the 49th and
50th states in the Union. The matter is now before the House Committee on Rules
where a hearing is scheduled on May 19th.
The delegation used a new gimmick in their campaign to sell the Congress
on statehood. The day the Alaskan group arrived in Washington the House restuarant
was presented with an ample supply of fresh Alaska king crab which had been caught
off Kodiak Island just a few days before. It was a mighty tasty dish and I appre-
ciated their generosity no end, but this new lobbying technique wasn't necessary
as far as I was concerned for I have always favored statehood for both Alaska and
Hawaii.
The signing by President Eisenhower of the new Federal-Aid Highway Act of
1954 starts the Bureau of Public Roads on the largest highway-construction program
on record. The law provides that each year the federal government can apportion to
the various states $875 million. This new and better road-construction program will
materially strengthen our national highway system, reduce traffic conjestion,
strengthen national defense, expand research on road improvement and increase the
comfort, convenience and safety of the of the users of the nation's 56 million
motor vehicles. The imcrease in funds of $300 million per year is greater than the
whole of the regular Federal-Aid authorization in any prewar year. In addition to
greater availability of funds the new law simplifies administrative procedures
thereby lowering costs and cutting down on bureaucratic red tape.
The Small Business Administration has just announced the publication of
a long-needed Government Purchasing Directory. The booklet lists 4,000 classes of
commodities and clearly indicates where and what is bought in the vast network of
government procurement offices. This publication will definitely aid and assist
the small businessman who heretofore has been at a loss to know where to start when
he wanted to sell his products to Uncle Sam.
VISITORS: Mrs. Marion C. Steketee, Mr. Frank J. Lucas, Mrs. Erma Noble, and Mr.
Charles J. Lazio, all of Grand Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Jacobs of Grand Haven.
FOR RELEASE May 27, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
Senator Homer Ferguson in February, 1954, introduced a Senate resolution
(officially titled Senate Joint Regolution 126) to add the words "under God" to the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Senate as a whole has approved Senator For-
guson's resolution and the House of Representatives will undoubtedly concur very
shortly. When the Congress gives its final approval to this resolution the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag will remain unchanged except for the addition of the two
words "under God."
At the time Senator Ferguson submitted this resolution to the Congress he made
the following significant comments:
"I believe this modification of the pledge is important because
it highlights one of the real fundamental differences between the free
world and the Communist world, namely, belief in God.
"Our Nation is founded on a fundamental belief in God, and the
first and most important reason for the existence of our Government is
to protect the God-given rights of our citizens.
"Communism, on the contrary, rejects the very existence of God.
"Spiritual values are every bit as important to the defense and
safety of our Nation as are military and economic values.
"America must be defended by the spiritual values which exist in
the hearts and souls of the American people. Our Country cannot be
defended by ships, planes, and guns alone."
The concluding statements on the floor of the Senate by Senator Ferguson
were equally appropriate.
"In fact, we have an infinite lead over the Communists, in terms
of our spiritual and moral values because of our firm belief in God, and
because of the spiritual bankruptcy of the Communists.
"Indeed, over one of the doorways of this very Chamber inscribed
in the marble are the words 'In God we trust.'
"Unless those words amount to more than a carving in stone, our
Country will never be able to defend itself. Those words must have a
very real meaning in the heart of every American.
"The joint resolution I have introduced will give additional
meaning to the spiritual defense of our Nation."
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YOUR WAS INGTON REVIEW - Page 2
Your Congressman certainly endorses and supports the Joint Resolution initially
sponsored by Michigan's senior Senator.
A few days ago President Eisenhower invited a small group of Congressmen to the
White House for breakfast. It was my privilege along with Vice President Nixon to
be among the guests. Attendance was somewhat of a problem. The night before the
White House breakfast I had two speeches in Grand Rapids. After the last speech a
friend drove me the 140 miles to the Detroit Airport where I caught a 2:30 a.m.
plane to Washington which arrived at six in the morning. Following a quick change
of clothes at our apartment with the family just awakening, I hurried to the White
House for the 7:45 a.m. breakfast with Ike, the Vice President and my House colleagues.
With only two hours' sleep, and that on the plane, I must admit I did more lis-
tening than talking as we enjoyed eggs and bacon in one of the White House dining
rooms.
The President was most anxious to hear the comments and suggestions from the
House members who were his guests. Most of the discussion revolved around the
situation in Indo China, the President's legislative program and the Army-McCarthy
hearings. As always, this close-up contact with President Eisenhower was a great
inspiration. He is most sincere, always constructive, very fair, completely
honest and frank, and above all, dedicated to the best interest of the United States
and all its citizens.
A year or so ago the House Committee on Un-American Activities published a
report entitled "100 Things You Should Know About Communism." It is an excellent
document and well worth reading. I have a few copies available for distribution.
Drop me a line and you will receive a copy of this excellent information booklet on
the Communist Party and its diabolical conspiracy against the United States.
The Senate recently passed by the required two-thirds vote a constitutional
amendment designed primarily to prevent Supreme Court packing. The amendment would
set the membership of the Supreme Court permanently at nine, prohibit lifetime
federal judges serving beyond their 75th year and confirm the Supreme Court's
appellate jurisdiction over constitutional questions. If the proposed change in
the Constitution clears the House Committee on the Judiciary, prospects are ex-
cellent for concurrence by the House as a whole. The amendment then goes to each
state for action,
FOR RELEASE. June 3, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
After extensive hearings followed by detailed analysis of the various pro-
posals, the House Committee on Ways and Means has brought forth its bill for the
expansion and improvement of the Social Security Act. The Committee's action
carries out another campaign promise made by President Eisenhower that our older
citizens need better protection in their later years.
The Committee voted to increase minimum and maximum monthly social
secutiry payments. In addition under the proposed changes everybody, that is all
employed persons, would be covered except doctors, policemen and firemen, The
Committee found in the public hearings that the majority in these three groups were
opposed to being included in the Social Security program. A change has been re-
commended in the law so that retired persons can earn more than $75 per month and
still not lose the social security benefits. Under the bill a person receiving
social security benefits can earn up to $1,000 annually and still be eligible for
the monthly retirement payments. The committee also included a new and important
provision which will greatly aid those who are permanently disabled.
The bill is scheduled for action by the House of Representatives on
Tuesday, June 1st and will undoubtedly be a approved overwhelmingly. The Senate
will certainly concur. Approval of this legislation will be another major accom-
plishment of the 83rd Congress.
Lately there has been a good bit of loose talk about which political
party, Republican or Democrat, has been supporting President Eisenhower's legisla-
tive program in the Congress. The unvarnished record shows that Republicans
supported Ike 74 per cent while the Democrat average was only 39 per cent. On two
specific teat votes in the Senate on proposed changes in Taft-Hartley and the
18-year-old right-to-vote constitutional amendment, the Democrats were solely
responsible for defeating Ike's program. When Congress adjourns about August 1st
a final analysis can be made but from the evidence to date it appears that
President Eisenhover is getting practically all of his support from his own party
and mighty little from the opposition.
On Friday, May 28th, the Congress in a joint session had a most distin-
guished guest, Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethopia. AS I listened to his speech
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YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW - age 2
the members of the House and Senate I recalled Ethopia's plea for help to the
Leagu- of Nations 18 years ago when Mussolini invaded this small African nation.
Many contend today that if the now defunct League of Nations had responded to Haile
Selassie's plea and had taken collective action against Mussolini's aggression in
1935, World War II might have been averted. Despite his advancing years the bearded
Emperor, dressed in full military uniform adorned with rows of ribbons, is most
impressive.
The federal government under President Eisenhower is making substantial
progress in straightening out its fiscal affairs. For the past two months Uncle Sam
has operated in the "black" primarily because of lower expenditures. In March the
budget surplus amounted to $5.8 billion which is a $1.4 billion higher than the
surplus a year ago. The February surplus was $737 million in contrast to the deficit
of $493 million in February 1953. These surpluses, which result from the continued
downtrend in federal government spending, have produced a lower accumulated deficit
for the year to date, as compared with a year ago. This reduction in spending by
Uncle Sam has been reflected in the decreasing total of government civilian employees.
March, 1954 was the 20th consecutive month in which net reductions in the number
of such employees were reported. Between January, 1953 when President Eisenhower
became Chief Executive and March 1954, there has been a net cutback of 214,278
federal civilian employees. This amounts to a tax saving of approximately a billion
dollars annually.
The Department of Agriculture in order to increase grain-storage facilities,
particularly on farms, has prepared a fine publication entitled, "You can Store
Grain Safely on the Farm." The pamphlet, which is designed to assist the farmer
who contemplates storage of his = in harvest on the farm, can be obtained by
writing my office in Washington. The publication contains excellent information on
proper moisture content of grain in storage, requirements for a safe storage structure
and other pertinent data.
VISITORS: Olga Hanewich, Mr. and Mrs. Robert DePree, James F. Evans, C. A. Frost,
Harry K. Johnson, Elva Johnson, Roman J. Kaminski, Walter F. Kaminski, Nell H.
Dykstra, Catherine Vanderveen, Alfred Medendorp, Mr. George J. Hardy, all of Grand
Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Swartz, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fisher of Grand Haven,
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd DeKock, Zeeland, 1. A. Young, Rockford, Robert R. Liun, Holland,
and V.m. S. Doyle of Lowell.
FOR RELEASE June 10, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
Several days ago the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved sub-
stantial changes in the existing Social Security Act. The House bill will expand
the coverage by about 10 million, increase the monthly benefits to present and
future benefieiaries, and in other ways make the program better in many respects.
The bill now goes to the Senate for action and all predictions are that the "Upper
Body" will move rapidly to approve the legislation which is a vital part of President
Eisenhower's constructive program. Your Congressman supported this bill which
definitely improves the Social Security Act. It must be admitted that all inequi-
ties in the existing law were not removed but substantial progress has been accom-
plished in eliminating many discriminatory situations.
Last week in the column I mentioned that Republican members of the Congress
voted "with" the President 74 per cent of the time in 1954 through May 18, compared
to a 39 per cent score for the Democrats. According to Congressional Quarterly
your Congressman in 1954 has voted with "Ike" 91 per cent on the various roll calls.
This year so far I opposed only one Eisenhower proposal, his request for a con-
tinuation and expansion of the subsidized low-rent public housing program. In 1953
during the first session of the 83rd Congress my Eisenhower batting average was
94 per cent. I "liked Ike" in 1952 and I firmly believe in his sound and son-
structive approach to the problems the nation faces but on an occasional issue
I reserve the right to disagree.
The perennial Washington guessing game is now in process as to when Congress
will adjourn. Republican leaders forecast the House and Senate will molose up shop"
by August 1st but Senater Lyndon Johnson, Democrat floor leader in the Sonate,
predicts Congress will be lueky if adjournment comes before August 15th. Actually
the precise date of adjournment is unimportant. It is far more vital for the
Congress to stay on the job until every effort is made to aet favorably on the
legislative program proposed by the President which is essential to the prosperity
and security of the nation.
The Congress has passed and President Eisenhower signed a bill which extends
the deadline for filing certain prisoner-of-war claims. The 83rd Congress enacted
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YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW Page 2
legislation providing additional compensation of $1.50 per day for each day members
of the Armed Forces of the United States were subjected to forced labor or inhumane
treatment during World War II. The new law extends the time for filing P. W. claims
from April 9, 1953 to August 1, 1954. The necessary forms for filing claims can
be obtained from the war Claims Commission, Washington 25, D. C.
The recent decision of the United States Supreme Court ending segregation in
all public schools focuses attention on what has been accomplished by the Eisenhower
Administration in the field of civil rights. Here's the record. 1. Segregation
at Army post schools has been abolished. 2. Employment discrimination in the
District of Columbia service contracts and segregation in public eating places has
been ended. 3. Segregation stopped at Navy installations in the South. 4. Racial
discrimination banned on Federal job contracts. 5. Segregation ended in major
veterans' hospitals below the Mason-Dixon line. 6. Segregation abolished in District
of Columbia public recreation facilities the day following the Supreme Court decision.
7. Forty-five Negroes have been appointed on the basis of their qualifications to
high government positions by the Republican Administration.
The record of"Ike" and the G. O. P. on this fundamental issue indicates sub-
stantial and constructive success. The Supreme Court decision was morally and
constitutionally right and the transition from separate negro-white school systems
to non-segregation can be accomplished without incident if the extremists on both
sides will "hold their tongues" and let the moderates implement the Court's decision.
No longer can the Communists holler and scream that the United States legalizes
racial discrimination in our public school systems.
VISITORS: Mr. and Mrs. A. Boon, Grand Haven; Mr. Jacob Van't Hof, Mr. George Hardy,
Mr. W. Muller, Mr. A. G. VandenBerge, and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Pruis, all of Grand
Rapids; Mr. W. A. Young of Rockford, Mr. Robert R. Linn of Holland, and Mr. F. S.
Doyle of Lowell.
FOR RELEASE June 17, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
By Gerald R. Ford, Jr., M. C.
All of us undoubtedly contribute hard-earned cash to the many civic campaigns
for polio, cancer, multiple sclerosis and the like. Each year a good many million
dollars are raised nationwide by voluntary contributions to fight these dread Di-
seases. At the same time the federal government spends vast sums each year in
medical research to prevent or cure such diseases.
In the current fiscal year your federal government through the National
Institute of Health will spend slightly over $71 million for medical research on
cancer, mental health, heart, dental health, arthritis, metabolic, microbiology,
neurology, and blindness disease activities. The House of Representatives on the
recommendations of my committee increased the funds for such research approimately
$6 million for the next fiscal year, making the total funds available over $77
million in the next 12 months.
The Committee on Appropriations in its report justifying the proposed ex-
penditures had this to say:
"A concrete example of what really great discoveries may be in
the offing has apparently been produced by the Neurology and Blindness
Institute. The committee was told by Dr. Bailey, Director of that Insti-
tute, of the discovery of a substance called glutamine, which has been
used with such success in the treatment of ten very serious cases of epi-
lepsy, that he believes it to have more promise for effectiveness than did
streptomycin for the treatment of tuberculosis and ACTH and cortisone for
the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It was stated to the committee, by
one authority in this field, that if this one discovery proved as effective
as preliminary tests indicate it to be, it will, just from a financial
point of view, be worth more to the nation than the entire cost of all the
National Institues since their beginning."
President Eisenhower recently set forth what his Administration in 16 months
has accomplished in dealing with subversives. The record shows that Ike's De-
partment of Justice, the FBI, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service have
(1) Arrested 7 Connecticut leaders of the Communist Party. (2) Convicted 41
Communist Party leaders-13 in New York City, 7 in Honolulu, 5 in Pittsburgh, 5
in Seattle, 6 in Detroit, and 5 in St. Louis. (3) Indicted 20 additional Communist
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YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW Page 2
leaders, including 9 now on trial in Philadelphia and 11 soon to be tried in Cleveland.
(4) Ordered the addition of 62 new organizations to the Department of Justice's list
of subversive groups, making a total of 255. (5) Secured the conviction of one
person for treason, and 2 for espionage. Eight others have been convicted for
making false statements to the government-3 have been convicted for porjury. (6)
Deported 84 alien subversives. (7) Issued orders for deportation of 268 persons
with records of subversive activity or affiliation. (8) Started denaturalization
proceedings against 24 naturalized citizens charged with being subversives. (9)
Barred entry into this country of 127 subversive aliens who had arrived at ports
of entry.
The constant surveillance of Communists in this country is a 24-hour, 7-days-
a week, 52-weeks-a-year job. It requires the full and complete cooperation of all
our loyal citizens plus the united effort of the FBI, the Attorney General, and
appropriate Congressional committees.
The House and Senate have approved legislation terminating federal supervision
of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin over the next five years. Tribal re-
presentatives strongly favored this legislation which when signed by President
Eisenhower authorizes the Menominees to be the first Indian tribe to be freed of
federal supervision. Many remaining Indian tribes still need helpful and con-
structive federal guidance but the excellent record of the Menominees in managing
their own affairs certainly warranted liberation from perpetual supervision.
The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in the past 16 months has
eliminated a total of 238 security risks. Secretary Oveta Culp Hobby informed the
House Committee on Appropriations that her department has a special 35-man office
of internal security which carefully screens the records of its government employees.
In the group of 238, there were 114 suspected subversives. The 124 non-subversives
were ousted on charges ranging from immorality to untrustworthiness.
VISITORS: Mr. Fred R. Allaben, Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Gezon, Mr. James
Klaase, Mr. Ralph H. Neely, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Selby, and Mr. James H. Lee, all
of Grand Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lambers, Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne Dykstra, Virginia
Boeve, and Mae Naber of Holland.
For release . June 25, 1954
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY Geraid R. Ford, Jr.
The shipment of guns and ammunition to Guatemala by Communist dominated
Poland has alerted our citizens to the Soviet threat in Central America. One of
my good friends in the Congress, Representative Pat Hillings of California, just
returned to Washington, following a special Congressional investigation of eon-
ditions in Guatemala, and made the following report in his weekly newsletter to
his constituents
"Communism in Western Hemisphere - Recently I made a special trip to Central
America as a member of the Committee on Communist aggression in order to prepare
a preliminary report on Communist penetration of the western hemisphere, My
trip took me to Red-dominated Guatemala and other countries. Ican state in
most positive terms that the Communist danger in Central America is very real
and very serious. The same pattern of Communist aggression and infiltration is
being followed in Gentral America today which has been followed by the Soviet-
directed Communist conspiracy in other countries - 15 of which are now behind
the Iron Curtain, It appears that the Republic of Honduras is the next target
of the Reds and already Communist agitators are hard at work in that area, The
Soviet embassy and the Czech legation in Mexieo City appear to be centers of
direction for the Red movement in Latin America, From time to time, so-called
"commercial attaches" from Soviet and Red satellite missions visit other countries,
apparently to give instruction and direction to Communist leaders. It is apparent
that the Kremlin has a real foothold in America's own backyard, It intends to
eause trouble for America and other anti-Communist nations of this hemisphere,
and it poses a definite threat to the Panama Canal.
"Guatemala today is a police state. The Communist party, while small in
numbers, actually dominates the government. Constitutional guarantees of civil
rights have been suspended and anti.Communists are regularly jailed or exiled
from the country, Heavy restrictions have been placed on the entry into Guatsmala
of clergymen of all faiths in an apparent effort to gradually destroy freedom of
religion. While in Guatemala I noted that policemen had been placed in front of
the embassies and legations of most anti-Communist countries in order to inter-
cept Guatemalan refugees who might wish to seek political asylum by entering the
residences of foreign diplomats. The government has begun Marxist teaching in
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public schools and efforts are already underway to nationalize industry.
Page 2
Property of landowners has been seized in large amounts and divided up under an
agrarian reform program. Actually the government still retains title to all the
land it seizes and subdivides and only allows the citizens who obtain land from
the government to hold it temporarily.
"Recently the Communist government of Guatemala received more than $10
million worth of guns and ammunition from Communist Poland. It took a train
3/4 of a mile long to transport this material from Puerto Barrios to Guatemala
City. It now appears that some of these arms, which are far in excess of the need
of the Guatemalan army, will be used to build a "people's army" along Communist
lines. There are also reports that some of these guns and ammunition are being
secretly transported into neighboring countries where the material is hidden by
Red agitators for possible future use. Communist labor leaders in Honduras, for
example, are leading a strike of agricultural workers which has tied up a portion
of that country for many weeks, and which is being used in an attempt to embarrass
and cause great difficulty to that government with the hope that the Communists will
eventually force the election of a more friendly regime.
The United States government has already taken action to check the Red
menace in the western hemisphere by responding quickly to the requests of Nicaragua
and Honduras for military equipment. A conference of all Latin American nations is
soon to be called at which the question of imposing economic sanctions on Guatemala
will probably be discussed. If a united effort were made by anti-Communist coun-
tries in Latin America to boycott Guatemalan coffee and to refuse to send fuel
supplies and other materials to Guatemala, the Communist government in that country
would be in serious trouble. We can no longer afford to ignore the people of Latin
America. Unless we have the courage to face the situation squarely, we may not
only have communism in Guatemala, but in many other countries of this hemisphere
as well."
These first hand, on-the-scene impressions are helpful in understanding the
seriousness of this problem. Fortunately Secretary of State Dulles, with all his
other complicated and controversial problems, has taken strong steps to guarantee
the perpetuation of the long standing U.S. policy based on the Monroe Doctrine.
*****
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