March 15, 1952

Amb Peurifoy publicly states US opposition to pr election system; holds it fosters small parties and bars Govt stability; indicates preference for 2-party majority system, favored by Papagos and Plastiras but opposed by small party leaders; split between Plastiras and Venizelos on pr seen threat to Govt

Murray declines to give assurance that strike will be delayed, conf with Feinsinger; indus plans to start cooling furnaces; possible wage increases under present WSB policy noted

Sec Pace, acknowledging growing lack of pub confidence in Govt, urges formation of nation-wide citizens 'watch-dog' comm, modeled on Hoover Comm, to give facts on matters of major importance, to keep pub informed about Govt operations, and to serve to encourage able men to enter Govt service, s, 4 Freedoms Foundation

A proposed city fiscal program calling for new revenues in 1952-1953 of $144,000,000 above the current $1,330,000,000 city budget was put forward last night by City Council President Rudolph Halley. The increase estimated by Mr. Halley was $60,000,000 less than the $204,000,000 in new funds sought by Mayor Impellitteri.

Sen (Connally) com hearing; illus; Connally assails program; attacks proposed $600 million to GB and $400 million to France for defense support; belittles 'defense support' as cover for further econ aid; deplores permission to transfer 10% of mil to econ funds; Harriman defends program; says unspent '52 funds will be obligated by June 30; says US proposes $141 million for Arab refugees; Sen Wiley sees cuts possible; McMahon backs program; com defers decision to call Eisenhower