Evening star., 1945-05-30

But the most Salutary Cnlne
achieved has not had quite the at
tention it deserves. 1t consists OF
an atmospheric change about the
White House which has been noted
by numerous observers, though not
recognized for what it is by all.
What Mr.. Truman has done is
practically to clear the air OF the
hate with which for long period
it had been heavily saturated. The
new President seems not to hate
any one very much, and no one
not even Republicans-appears to
hate him at all.
1t may be that in the course OF
time he will develop enemies and
acquire aversions. 1t is inevitable
that any President serving more
than one term should do both. But
certainly, Mr.. Roosevelt had more
of each than any of his predecessors
Partly that was due to the fact that
he had been President longer than
any one else, but partly also to the
character of his policies and the
IldVOT Oh his personality.
Lengthy Black List.
To be sure, he made friends as
we'll as foes. but he did cherish
grudges inordinately and his black
list surpassed in bitterness and
length any other. During his ad-
ministrations there not only was
very real hate between the two par
ties but there was besides intense
factional, class and individual Bit
terness.
In this administration this hate
has largely disappeared. Not only
does Mr.. Truman seem to have no
black list but the terrific antago-
nism between New Deal and anti
New Deal Democrats has dimin-
ished. There has been an increase
of tolerance all along the line.
How long this will last no one
can say, but it is refreshing and
generally welcome at the moment.
1t is more than that: it is distinctly
in the national interests.
The best illustration of the cleared
air was Mr.. Truman's invitation
last week to ex-President Hoover
and Mr.. Hoover's prompt accept
ance of the opportunity to discuss
with the President food distribution
and war relief, subjects upon which,
by virtue of his experience, he is
concededly the outstanding world
authority. The Hoover invitation
was followed by friendly, though
general, invitations to Gov. Dewey
and ex-Gov. Landon, the two other
living Republican presidential nom
inees.
But the Hoover visit was of real
significance, as in his case specific
date had been fixed and his advice
asked on specific subjects. And be-
cause. too, for twelve years Mr..
Hoover's name had been high on
the White House black list. After
we got into the war, though he was
always available, Mr. Hoover was
never called into consultation nor
permitted to make the kind of con-
tribution to the war effort for which
he was so clearly equipped.
Particularly was this omission
notable in connection with food
distribution and control. 1t is hard
to contend that this vital business
has not been badly managed. That
two food administrators resigned,
that the setup was scathingly criti-
cized by Democratic investigating
committee and that last week the
President changed the machinery
and moved to bring about the CO.
ordination long demanded-these
things constitute convincing eH-
dence of trouble.
Mutual Esteem.
To cap it all, Mr.. Truman invites
the hated Hoover to come down
and advise with him about the food
emergency. This is the more inter-
esting as Mr.. Hoover not only had
been black-listed for IL years but
had been the favorite target for
administration propagandists who
never tired of repeating the libels
that he was personally responsible
for the last depression; that he
forced veterans of the last war to
sell apples on the streets; that he
was a reactionary tool of the
moneyed interests with no sympathy
for the common man." etc.
No public man of our time has
been more misrepresented and
maligned. That after IL years of
this sort Of thing, Mr.. Truman
should ask Mr.. Hoover to the White
House to talk of food and other
things shows that he has no inten-
ton whatever Of taking over the
Roosevelt personal likes and dis