Immobilismo

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New Beginning. Even Scelba's vaunted drive against the Reds has stumbled, staggered and almost stopped, though the climate for action against the Communists has never been better. Last week, goaded by its critics, the Scelba government tried to make a new beginning. Tacitly admitting his inability to force any new law through against Communist obstructionism, Scelba announced a new attack on the party's purse by the only course left to him—stricter enforcement of existing laws. Principal targets are Communist-run enterprises such as building societies, which are run as businesses for profit, to feed the party's coffers while claiming exemption from taxation as "cooperatives." Another Cabinet decision: Communist state employees will no longer get raises in pay above a certain level, or promotions to high civil posts. Critics wondered aloud why these sensible steps had not been taken nine months ago.