European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 17, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday december 17, 1992 . The stars and stripes Page 7clinton says hell act fast on Economy Little Rock Ark. Apr president elect Clinton promises to get to work quickly on the country a economic woes with a program of increased spending and efforts to Cut the budget deficit. But plenty of details remain to be worked out. On tuesday night Clinton repeated his pledge to introduce his economic program shortly after he takes office Jan. 20. However he said he would delay until the last possible moment decisions on the exact makeup of the program. The advice he received from two Days of Public discussions was split on the question of whether the Economy needed a Quick fix program of increased government spending and business tax Breaks next year although such stimuli would increase the huge Federal deficit. Some economists said they still believe a stimulus program ranging from $20 billion to $60 billion is needed because economic growth is Likely to remain so Low that unemployment will be stuck at High Levels. But other analysts said Clinton should Shelve the Short term package because by the time it gets enacted it wont be needed and it will Only Hurt the Economy by driving up interest rates. Clinton did not tip his hand on the debate. A if we decide to go for a stimulus package to modify this fiscal years budget i will make the decision on How much As late As i can based on the latest available evidence a he said. Aides said the president elect soon will get a paper laying out proposals ranging from no Quick stimuli to a Middle approach of $20 billion to $40 billion and a High approach of $60 billion. Clinton has emphasized that any such program would focus on increased Public works spending and on tax credits to encourage businesses to boost investments. Clinton had no Public events scheduled wednesday though he was thought to be nearing further announcements on personnel. His news conference on the Economy followed nearly 20 hours of nationally televised discussions monday and tuesday in which Clinton and his 329 invited guests from business labor and Academia explored the nations economic difficulties. Clinton frequently asked questions on a Range of top a1 Gore the vice president elect talks to Bill Clinton As the two listen to a speaker tuesday at the president elects economic conference in Little Rock Ark. Is and took notes. On tuesday he said things were so far behind schedule that the participants would skip their lunch break. During the talks Clinton seemed to make slight shifts on his program to fix the Economy. During the election Campaign he stressed increased Public investments on such things As highways Bridges and communication systems As the Way to boost the country slag Ging productivity and he promised to overhaul the expensive . Health care system. At the news conference Clinton said those proposals were still High on his list. But in an apparent Bow to financial markets he also promised to be equally Tough in getting Congress to adopt Long term solutions to the Federal budget deficit which is expected to hit a record $331 billion this  looks Likely for defense Job by the new York times Washington rep. Les Aspin the chairman of the House armed services committee has emerged As the leading candidate for defense Secretary in the Clinton administration transition and congressional officials said tuesday. The Wisconsin Democrat is the Likely Choice on what had been an extremely Short list of candidates to head the defense department and several people familiar with the process said a formal announcement was expected soon. Like president elect Clinton the 54-year-old Aspin is considered a moderate Democrat who opposed the War in Vietnam and studied at Oxford University in England. But he supported financing for the my missile and Aid to the nicaraguan contras and is not considered by republicans to be a proponent of major cuts in the military budget. Rep. Dave Mccurdy of Oklahoma a 42-year-old Democrat who is an influential member of the House armed services committee has also been considered a possible nominee for defense Secretary. Aspinw a nomination would Rob the House of another senior democratic committee chairman and set up a struggle for control of the House Wisconsin rep. Les Aspin. In Clinton Mold armed services committee where reps. Ronald v. Dellums of California and Patricia Schroeder of Colorado Are in the immediate line of succession. But one senior congressional Republican called Aspin a clearly an excellent Choice a and signalled that the appointment would be generally Well received on Capitol Hill. In turning again to Congress for top level appointments to his administration Clinton would be demonstrating anew that the Washington bureaucracy he once derided could be a Fertile source of expertise for a party that has been out of Power for 12 years. Babbitt has inside track for Interior Secretary Post by the los Angeles times Washington a president elect Clinton is expected to choose former Arizona gov. Bruce e. Babbitt As Interior Secretary according to transition sources rounding out a team to run the nations natural resources policy that has drawn cheers from environmentalists but profound concern from Western developers ranchers and others. Among the appointments to agencies that handle natural resources issues Clinton has chosen a series of key aides who have a notably a a Green tint in Large part because of the influence of vice president elect a1 Gore. That slant is deeply troubling to Western mining ranching and development interests which have grown comfortable with officials in senior government posts Over the last 12 years. A the idea of Babbitt As Interior Secretary sends chills up my spine a said Chuck Cushman executive director of the National i holders association of Battle ground wash., a group devoted to protecting the rights of people who own property surrounded by Federal lands. Shortly after the election environmental activists in Washington Drew up wish lists of people they would like to see in senior positions. The leading Choice for head of the environmental Protection Agency was the chief of Florida s environmental department a Carol Browner. Last week Clinton announced her nomination. Babbitt president of the league of conservation voters has drawn Praise from environmentalists for his stands on issues of concern to them. Babbitt As governor ordered the shutdown of an Arizona smelter in 1986 for failure to comply with emissions Laws angering miners ranchers Farmers and some City dwellers during a contentious and Complex fight Over the use of arizonans water Supply. Novello learns plans May change Washington a surgeon general Antonia c. Novello was getting ready to head for work tuesday when she heard a news report that president elect Clinton was offering her Job to somebody else. It was news to her. By Law Novello could stay until her four year term expires in March 1994. As recently As a couple of weeks ago that a what she was planning to do. She got to the office t tuesday and went about Ner work. It Wasny to until the afternoon that Clinton a people called to discuss her future. Two sources close to Clinton said monday night that or. Joycelyn m. Elders 59, Clinton a health chief in Arkansas was offered the Job and had Cepter. A