The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-17

. ! u III O. II There was only one Roosevelt. But Roosevelt had his weaknesses and Truman has his strong points which Roosevelt did not have. Trumans admirers say these characteristics might even give their man the cap- acity as well as the opportunity to be a better chief executive than Roosevelt for the job ahead.
 The political election campaign alarm of Think of Truman in the White House!" which was a natural enough reflex reaction when the shock of Roosevelt's death was first felt, is therefore said to be entirely 8 false alarm by the people who know Truman's Washington record and should therefore be in a posi- tion to judge his capabilities.
 DESERVES EVERY CHANCE
 This is admittedly a prejudiced appraisal. But at the time when all eyes are on the man from Missouri wanting him to succeed, realizing he must succeed, anxious to give him every encouragement in assuming the worlds greatest responsibility this is the only fair appraisal to give Truman the chance that he deserves:
 There is no question of Trumans honesty or sincerity. He works hard That. plus a large share of good luck, have put him where he Is to- day.
 He is decisive. When he finds a bad situation he moves in on it be- fore 1t gets worse, instead of just letting 1t ride. When he thinks he has the facts on a case, he goes ahead.
 In carrying out the work of the Truman Committee he did not hesi- tate to move in against sacred COWS business or political. On his carpet were called U. s. Steel, Curtiss- Wright and Alcoa, Basic Magnes- ium. He flayed the Army on Canol and the Navy on its initial landing craft bungles. He went after Donald Nelson for supporting Philip G. Reed of General Electric and sub- poenaed cabinet officers and other top administrators when, they were reluctants to give information he thought the Senate was entitled to have.
 He will not hesitate to hold labor leaders to their responsibilities, either. In the Currier housing pro- Ject case in Detroit, he tore into Sidney Hillman, then co-chairman of OPM, telling him either to do his job or else get out and let someone else do 1t.
 WE'LL UP ON
 DOMESTIC ISSUES
 On postwar domestic issues it can be claimed that Truman is far better grounded than Roosevelt was because Truman had the time to study these issues while Roosevelt was pre-occupied with the war and international affairs. The Truman committees third annual report, issued in 1944, is now pointed to as one of the first analyses on the problems of reconversion.
 While his dominating interest with the Senate war investigations were production, supply and the maintenance of sound national economy on the home front, Tru- man was also a member of the Sen- ate committee on military affairs. That gave him the opportunity to follow closely the planning and strategy. So he does not go to the White House a novice on military matters and besides, the war is go- ing to be won no matter who is President.
 For some weeks at least, there may be no changes in top Washing ton personnel. Truman will of course move into the White House with a new personal secretarial staff of his own choosing. His &C., quaintance with Harry Hopkins, Judge Samuel N. Rosenman' and others of the Roosevelt White House staff is slight. There is known to be no love lost between Truman and several members of the old cabinet and changes there would come as no surprise.
 But even if changes should be made in the cabinet and other ad- ministrative posts, they would be presented as not necessarily @ change in Roosevelt policy - merely change in the men selected to carry 1t out.