McGovern, Humphrey Debate Again On Taxes, Defense Cuts and Welfare

Last night's debate between Senators George McGovern (D-S.D.) and Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.)--the second of three meetings before the crucial June 6 primary in California--was somewhat repetitive and far more friendly than their first confrontation on Sunday.

The major issues of the campaign--McGovern's proposed tax reform program, cuts in defense appropriations, and new welfare program--were touched on again, but Humphrey did not attack McGovern as enthusiastically as he had on Sunday.

Both of the top contenders for the Democratic Presidential nomination last night ruled out the possibility of Governor George C. Wallace (D-Ala.) as a Vice Presidential running mate. Humphrey and McGovern agreed however that Wallace is entitled to "respect and fair play" at the Convention.

Otherwise, very little new ground was broken in the discussion. Most of the excitement was provided by Robert Novak of the Chicago Sun-Times, one of four panelists questioning the candidates, who hounded McGovern on his tax reform plans and pressed Humphrey on the former Vice Presidents "enthusiasm" for the war in Vietnam.

Novak accused McGovern of trying to appease businessmen to running an advertisement in The Wall Street Journal that promised that McGovern's tax program for big business wouldn't be as harsh as it sounded in the press.

McGovern replied that his staff's figures are realists and that the corporations are fulls able to pay an additional six million dollars in taxes. "I think we have a tax revelt in this country," McGovern said "I said that in The Wall Street Journal, I've said that on the stump, and I believe that."

In his next question, Novak asked Humphrey why he had supported President Johnson so happily and why he had waited until California to bring up the issue of McGovern's planned defense cuts. California is dotted with many defense-related industries.

Humphrey replied that he had delayed his attacks on McGovern's proposed Defense Department budget until the California primary because up to now neither man has been recognized as a serious contender.

On Vietnam. Humphrey said, "I don't mind admitting that I'm wrong, but I don't want to be a hypocrite, and I'm not. I did support President Johnson because I thought he wanted peace."

Humphrey suggested that President Nixon invite both North Vietnam and South Vietnam to a conference with the members of the United Nations Security Council to resolve the war and achieve the return of American prisoners