 It's time for the Lawn Jean Chronoscope, a television journal of the important issues of the hour, a presentation of the Lawn Jean Wittner Watch Company, maker of Lawn Jean, the world's most honored watch, and Wittner, distinguished companion to the world-honored Lawn Jean. Good evening. This is Frank Knight. May I introduce our co-editors for this edition of the Lawn Jean Chronoscope. Mr. William Bradford Huey, author and analyst, and Mr. Hardy Burt, author and correspondent. Our distinguished guest for this evening is the Honorable Warren Jean Magnussen, senator from the state of Washington. Senator Magnussen, our viewers, of course, remember that you've been around Washington for about 18 years, a distinguished Democratic senator from the state of Washington. And tonight, sir, I'm sure that they'd like to hear a sort of report from the opposition from you. But first of all, sir, no statesman can start saying anything tonight without commenting on the rather interesting possibilities that might arise from Stalin's death. How do you feel, sir? Do you think that the chances for world peace may be increased or will be changed in any way by Stalin's passing? Well, Mr. Huey, I don't think that there'd be any change in the situation. I don't know that he's dead yet. Well, do you think it can lead to a revolution? It could. It could. The Russian history is replete with any time that some strong leader of the Russians, whether it be the Tsars or the since the Bolshevik revolution. I suppose you're hoping that history will repeat in this case. I hope it does repeat. But I do think that Russia is involved itself into a system in which individuals are not quite as important as they used to be. And I don't look for too much change. Do you see any possible action indicated for our own government? Or do you think we just have to sit tight and see for a while? I don't know of any action we could take except to sit tight and see what happens. I would think that probably, for the time being, they would have, like the Romans, had a triumvirate for a while until someone, a man who was strong as Stalin, would come to the forefront. A really serious question. Do you think this conceivably could lead to war? It could. In what way? It could because someone in trying to achieve power may put himself in a position where he has to do something affirmative to prove that he's worthy of that leadership and therefore he could do some rash thing that might lead us to a war. In other words, anything can happen in Russia. Anything can happen now. Moving back to the domestic and partisan political scene, sir. You, of course, are a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the director concerned with money bills. And as a Democratic spokesman, what do you consider to be some of the possible mistakes that the new Republican administration is making? Well, as a Democrat, I think there are several. Well, what's the first one that comes to your mind? The first one that comes to mind, I think we have a very serious situation in what is commonly called the farm problem. The question of a farm policy. Under Democratic administrations, we've had a definite farm policy of price supports, which we think have stabilized farm economy. Well, what is a proper criticism of this administration? They're not responsible for prices going down. No, they're not. No, I think that would have happened to any administration, but I think they are responsible for a vacillation of in the failure to announce a definite policy. It may be that the abolition of price supports is desirable or flexible price supports. We have advocated a 90% parity. Well, do you personally favor a continued subsidy on a high level for the farmer? I favor, or most of us in the Democratic side have favored, the 90% parity. Although Mr. Eisenhower at one time during the campaign said that he was going to give the farmers 100% parity without government control. Well, do you think? Mr. Benson, his Secretary of Agriculture says he's for flexible price support, and the whole thing has caused a great concern psychologically and otherwise among the farm people of the country, and that has resulted in the decline of commodity markets and the decline of farm prices, and I think caused a great deal of confusion that was unnecessary. Isn't it true that the two major farm organizations have come out very whole heartedly in favor of Benson's policies, which has returned to private enterprise and farming? Well, I think Mr. Burt, some of the leaders have. There's been some confusion there too. The National Grange, for instance, they have complete autonomy within the states. Some of the leaders have in the National Farm Federation a Mr. Klein, who is constantly feuding about farm policies with, I think both with all the dead since the days of Mr. Wallace has taken an issue with not only Brandon, but I strongly suspect that there may be some disagreement with even the President. Well, their membership is not following them. Well, now I don't know, but I do know that the overall farm situation has caused a great deal of concern. It's in the press all over in the Midwest. There's been several meetings. There's been several, our mail is indicative of it, every senator's mail, a concern about what is the agricultural policy going to be under the new administration. And your principle criticism is of their vacillation. Now, the second moving on, sir, do you have any criticism of the way they're handling the Alaska and Hawaii statehood issue? Well, Mr. Huey, of course, that's a little personal with me. I'm a strong advocate of statehood for Alaska and Hawaii. I think they're both ready to be admitted into the union. Your state's particularly close to Alaska. Most people on the Pacific coast feel that way. Hawaii is definitely ready to be admitted, and I think Alaska is too. Are the Republicans playing any politics in your view? I would think they would be playing the little politics with Alaska. Do you think the Democrats are going to play any politics with Hawaii? No, not necessarily. Paradoxically, there shouldn't be much partisan politics, because strangely in this last election, Alaska went Republican and Hawaii went Democratic. So far as Hawaii is consigned, isn't it true that the major opposition is going to come from the Democratic side? Well, the southern block in the Congress, which are mainly Democratic, favor, of course, keeping the two as territories. Is it your impression that Hawaii and Alaska definitely will be admitted for statehood? Oh, I think ultimately. I don't think even the Republican party can stop Alaska. Well, now, coming from the state of Washington, where you have big public power development, sir, you, of course, are tremendously interested in that issue. Now, in a word, are you worried about the public power issue under an Eisenhower administration? Well, I've been quite concerned about that, because the statements during the campaign, beginning at Boise, were Mr. Eisenhower met with all the governors. And with the appointment of the former governor of Oregon, Wallace McKay, as Secretary of Interior, which mainly is in charge of the irrigation, reclamation, and power program, I have, I think, a real fear. Do you think there will be a great clampdown on public power projects on the Eisenhower administration? Well, now, what is your position on public power? I think you will continue a federal development of public power. Under the federal laws that we have put in have had an effect for many years, which give preference to public bodies, rural electrification, cooperatives, cities and towns, and continue the federal program. I think under a private program or a state program, we can't reach the ultimate of our hydroelectric development. Senator, do you think the federal spending should be cut? Well, being a member of the Appropriations Committee, I would like to cut a lot of it. Do you think we could continue public power projects and farm subsidies? Oh, yes. Public power projects are all reimbursable. We're seven years ahead of schedule. Are farm subsidies reimbursable? No, they're not. But public power projects are just alone. We pay back to the government with interest. Do you see any way, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, how the government can save money? I think we can achieve some savings if we want to. And I think we're going to in the military. Returning to the public power issue, sir, our viewers have heard the Hell's Canyon issue discussed on this program, where the government proposes to build a very large dam and where there's terrific private opposition to it. Now, what is your position on the Hell's Canyon project? Well, I strongly favor Hell's Canyon Dam. It's the greatest power site in the whole of the United States and produced kilowatt, kilowatts cheaper than any other power site in the United States. And for our viewers in the Missouri Valley, sir, how do you stand on the various proposals for Missouri Valley? Well, I'm afraid the proposal for a Missouri Valley authority is going to have tough sledding if I can interpret the statements and the policy that seems to be prevalent now in Washington. And I think it should be developed. No great public project, no great development project has ever been a white elephant. Do you think that the new Congress will give the American people a tax break in reducing taxes? Well, the Republican Party is having some trouble with that right now, because one segment wants to reduce taxes and the other segment that says they shouldn't reduce taxes. Although I recall during October, during the balmy weeks of September, that they were promising a tax reduction to every citizen in the United States. We're not going to have a tax reduction until we can find some, I'm sure, sensible people on both sides of the aisle, until we can find some solution or at least some hope that we might achieve some peace in the world or a hope of peace so that we can reduce our military expenditure. That's the key to tax reduction. Well, sir, as a final question to all of our viewers who share your liberal and democratic views, sir, do you have any final word as to what the outlook is for the liberal philosophy in government during the next two years? Well, I think we liberals have to realign our forces and I don't think we should criticize just for the sake of criticism. I think we should literally be a loyal opposition. Well, thank you very much for being with us this evening, sir. The opinions that you've heard our speakers express tonight have been entirely their own. The editorial board for this edition of the Lawn Sheen Chronoscope was Mr. William Bradford Huey and Mr. Hardy Burke. Our distinguished guest was the honorable Warren G. Magnussen, senator from the state of Washington. Have you noticed how much longer the days are getting? Soon it'll be spring and then Easter and then glorious days ahead. In countless homes, this is the season of planning great activities, Easter, graduation, an anniversary, or a June wedding. Every year, more and more people are giving Lawn Sheen watches as gifts. 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We invite you to join us for the Lawn Sheen Chronoscope, a television journal of the important issues of the hour, broadcast on behalf of Lawn Sheen, the world's most honored watch, and Wittnor Distinguished Companion to the World Honored Lawn Sheen. This is Frank Knight reminding you that Lawn Sheen and Wittnor watches are sold and serviced from coast to coast by more than 4,000 leading jurors who proudly display this emblem. Agency for Lawn Sheen Wittnor watches. Daytime, see the new Freedom Rings on the CBS television network.