Johnson's $100,000m. Fetish

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 11

Johnson's $100,000m. Fetish

[Specially written [or “The Press” by FRANK OLIVER] WASHINGTON, December 27.

As ice and snow gave millions of Americans the feeling of that old-fashioned Christmas, President Johnson sat in the comparative warmth of Texas putting the final touches on his new budget. Reports of it please some and give others mild jitters.

The reports say he has in effect issued an edict that the total has to be a little less than one hundred thousand million. This figure has become a fetish, like that of the national debt.

In the case of the debt the Government and Congress get over it (or rather around it) by the one asking for and the other giving a new “temporary ceiling" over which the monster must not go. Needless to say the real ceiling, if that be the word, is not likely to be seen again, covered as it is and will be by many temporary ceilings. Mr Johnson’s present obsession with a budget ceiling reminds some observers of the Eisenhower posture 12 years ago, when he going to get the budget total back to 60 billions “or else.” Of course he never managed it. The population was growing, the country was growing, the economy was growing, and Government had to grow along. Growth meant more postmen, more tax collectors, more officials, new departments, greater military strength and just about greater everything. “Cautious Whirlwind” But President Johnson is determined to reduce rising Government costs. Writing of the President recently, James Reston said he seemed to be approaching the new term as he approached his old job of Senate majority leader. “He is a whirlwind of caution.” The new budget illustrates

his caution. But many observers who consider themselves experts feel sure that before the coming financial year is over or has run far he will have to seek supplementary money. Some believe the new budget will be window-dressing for or lip-service to all the conservative businessmen who voted for him because they could not come to terms with Senator Goldwater.

Some writers do not understand how he can trim the requirements of all departments, thus adding to the unemployment problem, cut

Government spending and expect to keep the economy booming. To them a very tight budget does not seem to be the best foundation on which to build the great society. President’s Watchword

But caution is President Johnson’s watchword. It is recalled that when in the Senate he never picked quarrels with new members or forced decisions on them that would have made them unpopular in their homes states. He never started a fight unless he felt confident of winning, and he never called up bills for

decision unless he was pretty sure he had the votes in his pocket. He was cautious with Mr Wilson, his emissaries in Paris recently were cautious with the French over the N.A.T.O. multi-lateral force and have been cautious at the United Nations over the Russian debts, and he has been cautious about the Far East. His attitude is not universally popular with his supporters, who like to see a new Administration begin with a tremendous rush. But the President does not seem inclined to take what one commentator calls “heroic initiatives,” or at least not yet. However, he is being reminded of some things at home —things summarised by Reston, who says: “In a fit of exuberance or absentmindedness we have increased the population by over 50 million since 1945 and developed a scientific revolution that complicates the task of educating and employing the 50 million.” Reston continues: “The most important mixed-man-ned force in the world today is America, but it’s too big for its breeches. It is short on houses, schools, hospitals, doctors, teachers, transportation, and time to do something about these things ”