The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-04-20
NeU Administration
BY ARTHUR KROCK

BY ARTHUR KROCK
WSHINGTON,-The general agNIment of
Washington today was that the nSw Presi.
dents term has opened auspiciously. His first
speech to Congress, and the manner in which
he made it, were favorably received and
comment, both private and public, from men,
bers of all parties and factions, was that
the. speech fit the occasion. Those represen-
tatives of other Governments who heard the
President, or talked with him, came away
treasured that there will not be the slightest
deviation or change of pace with respect to
President Roosevelts war and foreign poll
cies. And developments affecting Soviet Rus
sias relationship to the Polish question and
to the San Francisco Conference were con-
sidered more hopeful than at any time since
the Yalta communique was issued.
1t is not unusual that a new Chief Execu-
tive, especially in the circumstances, should
begin his duties in a cooperative and favor
able atmosphere And it is not surprising that
Congress should have matched all previous
shows of cordially. Mr.. Truman is a gradu-
ate of Congress, and in the Senate he is
liked and respected But, because the transi-
ton from Mr. Roosevelt was shocking and
abrupt because international questions on
which the President has not concentrated are
uppermost and critical, and because no close
observer of the electoral decision of 1914
would be likely to contend that Mr. Truman S
place on the ticket was responsible for its
success, the atmosphere in which he has en-
tered his high office is particularly note
worthy and encouraging.
In time, of course, this atmosphere will
change and some of those who commended
him unreservedly today will be involved in
that change The party in power, of which
the President is now the official and titular
leader, is as deeply divided on thinking, men
Io,fo La
And this division is sure to reappear on the
surface when the state of the war makes
foremost again the social-economic situation
at home and the struggle for party control
Mr. Truman will have to take stands on
doctrines, men and methods, and on few of
these positions will there be harmony in his
party.
Except for periodic shifts toward the CEN
ter, Mr.. Roosevelt in his twelve years fol-
lowed the New Deal pattern on all three
points, and there was little doubt in Congress
that-after war and peace problems had been
solved-the late President would have en-
barked on a postwar, second-phase New Deal
in company with tried and true New Deal
ers. The difference anticipated under Mr.. Tru-
man is this: He will certainly not turn con-
servative'' as that term is understood by or
ganized labor and those on whom the late
President most often relied. His leadership
in the legislation to increase the pay of rail-
way workers, after Administrator Vinson
barred the rise as volative of the stabliza-
ton formula, is one good basis for this be-
lief. But his thinking will be much more
along conventional economic and social lines.
And he will in time surround himself with
assistants who have not been admirers of
Mr. Roosevelt's inner circle.
But the advancing problems, however they
are addressed, and changes in personnel will
produce their crop of intraparty dissensions
as well as bring cleavages with the Repub-
lcans, who were unanimously praising the
new President today. 1t is significant that a
trend in Congress and in the executive branch
already can be noted to regard what sue
cesses may come in the war, at San Fran
cisco and in peace-making as outright be-
quests to Mr.. Truman from his predecessor.
But the domestic front and it's postwar per-
plexities are being spoken of as the Presi-
dents own, on which he must make his own
record and by that be judged.
Political rivalries and inheritances will al
so rise to mar the pleasant prospect and it
is only necessary to recall the convention at
which the President was chosen for second
place to support that statement.
The combination by which Mr.. Wallace was
denied denomination was made up Of Demo-
cratic politicians: the big city bosses of the
Northeast and Midwest and the State bosses
OF the SOutn. Against tneSe. lacking lMr.
Roosevelt's active intervention, the CIO-PAC
and the New Deal Democrats failed in their
powerful effort for Mr.. Wallace. The combi-
nation split over Mr.. Byrnes-the Southern
leaders being for him and the big city lead
ers opposed-but the CIO-PAC, also opposed,
was armed with veto power from the Presi-
dent on the Vice-Presidential nomination, and.
learning of this. Mr.. Byrnes withdrew.
That cleared the way for candidate who
would be first or second choice of all three
groups and National Chairman flanagan had
him ready in Mr.. Truman. So the big city
bosses expect recognition for helping to get
Mr.. Byfnes and Mr.. Wallace out of the way.
The Southern leaders expect it because they
clinched the majority and, particularly the
Virginia delegation, held the ground against
Mr. Wallace when the drive was strongest.
And the CIO-PAC expects it because it did
not veto Mr.. Truman.
In many areas party control is an issue
between the regular leaders and the CO.
PAC. Therefore. it is obvious that the Presi-
dent in time will have difficulties in his own
ranks which can only be settled by hard
choices.-New York Times
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