TRUMAN'S COURSE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 61, 10 September 1945, Page 4

TRUMAN'S COURSE

CONSERVATIVES DISMAYED

NEW YORK, September 8

Washington began to revise sharply its preconceived notions of President Truman as a relatively conservative Middle Westerner and common-sense Liberal, says the "New York Sun's" Washington correspondent. The reactions to the President's message to Congress are mixed, running the gamut from expressions of. sheer delight from the New Deal camp to dismay among Congressional conservative financial experts. There is almost universal agreement among all factions that President Truman has taken a position fully as far to "left of centre" as any to which President Roosevelt committed himself.

The Republican leader oi" the House of Representatives, Mr. Martin, said that until the message to Congress, nobody in politics had been entirely sure what direction the President would take. "Now nobody should have any doubt," he said. "Not even President Roosevelt asked so much at one sitting. It is a plain case of outdealing the New Deal."

The President's recommendations included full employment legislation, unemployment compensation up to 25 dollars a week, an increase in the minimum wage, the creation of a fair employment practice committee, and legislation strengthening the Labour Department. The President also said he would soon ask Congress for a national health programme to provide adequate medical care for all Americans and to protect them from financial loss and hardships resulting from illness and accidents and also for a broad and comprehensive housing Bill.