The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-04-28
Observations
Truman Boosts
Democrats 1915
Outlook

OullOOh
Democratic thinking on the ont
look FOR l945, periodically is rhar
their chances for l9iS victory are
enhanced by the death Of President
Roosevelt.
This is the picture as unfolded 20
practical Democratic politicians:
Mr. Roosevelt would have retired
al the end OF his fourth term. had
he lived that long. The Democratic
chieftains would have had the Job
OF building up another contender
in a situation where any other zig
uFe In the party would have been
dwarsed by the personality and the
reputation OF the four-time Presi-
dent.
Some elements OF the party had
already started thinking along this
line in their promotion OF Henry
A. Wallace, who might, by his ten
IRE as Secretary OF Commerce fin
ally have gained the support OF bus
inesss} eaders as well as the labor
groups which he already had
Thus, IN 1913, the party would
have had the task Of building up
a new name from among those most
intimately known to the American
public
Bv that time President Truman
now will have established himself
as an outstanding, experienced
Chief Executive. His views will be
known on both domestic and inter-
national affairs. He will be able
10 present Clearcut issues.
Moreover. the United States has
shown an inclination 10 re-e.ect
presidents who have been elevated
10 that high office by succession
through death.
Calvin Coolidge was oyerWhelm-
ingly elected to succeed himself ar
ter he completed the term OF the
late President Harding, even
though. in the interim, the. Teapot
Dome scandals had been unearthed.
And the assassination OF Presiden;
William Mckinley gave the Repub-
lican party its great progressive
president, Theodore Roosevelt. Tn
Ill McKin,eys death he was com
paratively unknown vice president
He was easily reelected.
Mr.. Roosevelts death may prove
as much a grief TO the German peo-
pie as it was 70 the people OF the
United Nations. Actually the her
renyo.k" had counted on Mr. Roos-
eyelt to alleviate their lot when
they were finally defeated. Russia
has made no apologies for her plan
10 reduce the Germans 70 slavery.
Britain. b.oodied by the blitZ OF
1910. the robot bomb and the w
rocket terror, IS not likely 10 be
inclined 10 show mercy to the beat
en- Germans.
But MI Roosevelt had always
been careful 10 draw a distinction
between the Nazis and the German
people. He represented a slim ray
Of hope that they might have a rep
resentative at the peace table who
would voice a humanitarian note
for them.
Truman is untried as 20 his feel
ings toward Germany's postwar
treatment He may. because OF his
1unior-in years position as
member Of the Big Three not
push for their sympathetic treat
ment
Hitler. by branding Mr. Roosevelt
as the greatest war criminal OF
all time appears TO be playing
F. D. RS death along this line
IN the hope OF carrying the German
people along with him on the Got
terdaemerung' resistance idea.
We Day, strangely enough, will
not add appreciably 10 Congression-
al legislative programs. High ad-
ministration officials believe that
no special legislation will be pro-
voked by that anticipated day.
They say that most matters
which might arise after We day
have been disposed OF. Il an exc
dus fro messential industries should
develop among those seeking firm
peace.time Jobs. President Truman
mlshl ASH 4cbAoAataOH " 1879
them in their positions.
Otherwise, Army plans FOR the
mastering out Of unneeded soldiers
"a small fragment soon be
discussed in closed session by the
House Military Affairs Committee
and war Department representa-
tives. Extension OF the draft act is
a foregone conclusion although the
bill IS faced with a battle in the
Senate for an amendment 20 bar
the use OF lsyear-o.d youths in
combat.
Army. appropriations will prob
ably be cut considerably. The
Nays funds will remain virtually
unbalanced