Evening star., 1945-06-13
BY Frank r. Kent.

The somewhat silly debate as to
whether Mr.. Truman is going to the
right" or to the left" is renewed
every time he makes an appointment
or takes r position. At the moment,
the left-wingerS are convinced that
developments indicate trend in
their direction.
For example, they are gratifed
over the retention of Judge Samuel
Rosenman, who wrote so many
speeches, letters and messages for
Nj. Roosevelt.
Also, they are pleased that among
the six more or less anonymous
secretaries of Mr.. Roosevelt, two who
appear chosen to stay are David
Niles and Lauchlin Currie, very radi-
cal boys, indeed, and not at all the
type one expected would linger.
Then there is the continued use
of Mr.. Hopkins as confidential
emiSSary to foreign parts; the fact
that Robert Nathan and Edward
Pritchard are to remain as aides
to War Mobilizer Vinson-and.
finally, the statement of Mr.. Vim
son, supposedly approved by the
President, favoring the Murray full
employment" bill, so enthusiastically
Endorsed by Mr.. Wallace, the CIO
and the Communists.
Middle of Roader.
1t Is possible to add to this leftiSt
list 1t is also possible to Offset 1t
with a conservative list in which
Federal Loan Administrator Sny-
der, Attorney General designate
Clark, w. Stuart Symington, jr., the
proposed surplus property admins
traitor, and others would figure.
The truth is neither side has a
valid claim on Mr.. Trur n. If ever
there was one, he is middle-o of the
road man. He is not going very far
in either direction His appoint
ments are not significant of direc-
ton.
They are made with an exceed
ingIy shrewd political eye, coupled
with keen desire to put competent
men in key positions and to keep
behind him both elements of what
has been badly split Democratic
party. So far as one can see. that is
the real Truman strategy and it has
nothing much to do with left" or
right"
Some Of his appointments have
been completely political; some have
been completely nonpolitical But.
political Of nonpolitical, it is agreed
that in almost every change he has
made he has raised the level of
governmental competency.
A really notable example is the
Symington appointment. The posi-
ton of surplus property admins
traitor is one of the most important
OF the postwar period. 1t involves
handling billions of dollars worth
of material and property. 1t has
vast potentialities for good and evil.
Gillette Named by Roosevelt.
1t calls for both ability and char
acter. President Roosevelt named
for this vital post the elderly lame
duck Senator Guy Gillette from
Iowa Defeated for reelection, ex-
Senator Gillette took over early in
the year. He is a thoroughly up
right, honest and likeable man.
There is nothing whatever the mat
ter with his character, but it is diff
ficult to maintain that he is equipped
by training or experience for the
position into which he was thrust |
by friendly President.
Nor was it made any easier for
1im that the two colleagues whom
Mr.. Roosevelt put on the board with
lin knew no more about its work
han he. Thus, situation was cre-
ted which rather appalled, the men
Who best realized the scope and i'm
)ortance of the job.
Suddenly, something is done about
it by Mr.. Truman who replaces
Senator Gillette with an able, young
and very successful manufacturer
from st. Louis Mr.. Symington is
from an old Democratic Maryland
family. His father was a disting-
uished Baltimore judge.
His father -in-law is Republican
Representative James w. Wads-
worth. But he has never taken any
part in politics, never held a po-
litical Office and never aspired toI
one. 1t does seem that here is a
election made entirely on merit
made by the President himself,
made because of his own knowl-
edge of the man and belief in his
capacity.
With the kindest feelings for Sen
tor Gillette, almost any one will
gree that President Truman has
improved the public service-at a
PARTICULARLY vital point.
One Great Obstacle.
But Mr.. Symington ought to be
armed, the Presidents memory
4ght to be refreshed and the pub
ought not to expect too much
rom the new setup.
. Because there is one great OBJ
.acle in the Way-to wit, the law.
t will be recalled that the first
yIrplus property administrator was
Will L. Clayton. Urged by B. M.
Baruch and John Hancock as the
',est-qualified man in the United
states for the job. Mr.. Clayton took
It on at the request of Mr.. Roose-
telt.
The preliminary work was admir-
ably done. The trouble came in get
ling Congress to pass the necessary
legislation under which the board
had to function. First, there were
months of inexcusable delay. Final