Evening star., 1945-05-29
Truman Spirit Hailed
On Bid to COP Chiefs
Genuine Cooperation Needed
Between Parties, Says Writer
By David Laurence

Between Parties, Says Writer
I By David Laurence
President Truman has made favor
able impression by q very simple and
straightforward act; namely, the invis
tations to former President Hoover.
Gov. Dewey and Alfred M. Landon to
visit the White House.
It doesn't make . whole lot Of differ
ence how much Of the advice of these
three leaders of the Republican party
Mr.. Truman actually chooses to accept,
but the gesture Is OF tremendous i'm
portance because it indicates a spirit
OF good will toward the opposition
party, and that is something Americans
always like. It isn't just an inherent
quality Of craftsmanship, but q feeling
that in time OF war there should be
genuine cooperation between political
parties and an avoidance as much as
possible Of every semblance of partisan.
ship.
1t will be noted that as many as
$4,000 900 votes can be cast in opposi-
tion to an administration, as was the
case last autumn, in comparison with
approximately 25,500,00 in favor of the
incumbent party, yet in the resultant
administration there is no way by which
the opposition party is recognized.
Coalition Principle.
The late President Roosevelt felt that
in selecting two Republicans for the
War and Navy Departments back in
1910 he was recognizing the opposition
party. AS a matter of fact, the coali-
ton principle has never been very
successful so far as cabinets are con-
cerned because everybody knows that a
cabinet oficer must follow the wishes
OF the President and he cannot represent
any opposition party and remain In the
cabinet. Under parliamentary sys-
tenn of government the opposition party
is recognized whenever there is q coali-
ton cabinet and the members Of the
coalition do not surrender their party
views or positions. In Great Britain,
for example. the coalition principle has
met its test and now, with the Euro
pean war over, general election is to
be held which will determine which of
the major parties will take control of
the government there.
So far as the United States is con-
cerned, the minority party is repre-
sented in the Congress but not in the
executive branch of the Government,
even though a war Of major proper
tions Is in progress. Secretary Stimson
the only Republican in the cabinet
has long ceased to have any influence
in tho Republican party, as such, and
IS reported to have voted for the Demo-
cratic ticket last time.
There are, Of course, a large number
Of Republicans occupying more or less
important positions in the various war
time agencies, but this is not due to
their political influence, but rather to
their ability or knowledge of particular
problems.
When Mr.. Truman invites Messrs
Hoover. Dewey and Landon to con-
suit with him on public policies he is
really doing more to achieve the pur-
pose of a coalition than if he were to
put more Republicans in his cabinet
There is no necessity for putting men,
bers OF the opposite political parties
| In the cabinet, but there is . great
necessity for trying to ascertain the
views of the 100000 persons who
registered their protest in the last elec-
ton against maladministration.
Attitude Called Wholesome.
There will be unquestionably move
ment in the Democratic party to re-
nominate Mr.. Truman in 1913. It is
customary for an incumbent executive
to receive denomination from his party.
The late President Roosevelt was al
ways conscious of the fact that he had
to attract former Republicans to his
standard and keep them there His 1882
campaign, for example, drew from the
Republican party SO heavily that not
since that time have the Republicans
won a presidential election.
But Mr.. Roosevelt's effort was to at
tract radical votes whenever possible
on domestic issues and international
minded Republicans on foreign policy
Mr.. Truman has given every indication
thus far that, while he will continue
in the main the foreign policy of his
predecessor, he may gather strength or
domestic issues from the large body OF
Republicans who have been voting
against New Dealism.
Mr.. Truman shows every evidence OF
being the kind of President who de-
SlreS unity and the elimination of bit
terness between parties. This is a whole
some attitude and one that will make
him as many friends in the Republican
party as in the Democratic party. II
will help to heal the wounds Of class
cleavage that have been developing
in the United States in recent years
and not In any sense impair the ag-
gressive liberalism of the Democratic
| party either.
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