The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-05-04
News "a;
BEHIND
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Released by western Newspaper Union.
By RAULMALLoN


Released by Western Newspaper Union.
ROOSEVELT'S DEATH
ENDS GREAT ERA
WASHINGTON - The meaning Of
the death Of Mr.. Roosevelt to the
country and the world escaped
searching examination in the period
Of shock and mourning.
His law partner Basil O'Connor,
In a tribute which was great in its
simplicity, said portentous esti-
mates of the changes to be ex-
pected might not be safely made
for long time.
Yet the passing was not a shock
to those who knew the condition Of
the President, and in that fact
lies the substance of the immediate
situation. A week before his death
he had lost his taste for food. His
general condition had become so
weakened, bad cold might at any
time have brought the end which
came through hemorrhage Of the
brain.
He had not been able to work at
the White House for many previous
weeks but had been at Hyde Park
and Warm Springs. Indeed, he had
been sick man for at least IS
months. The greatest of men, while
III, cannot do their best job.
The immediate change, there
fore, will go no further than to
place q protege of the late
President at his desk. The
difference Of administration at
first then will only be personal.
Mr.. Truman has been saying
by every action and word that
his guiding inspiration will be
the thought:
81 would like to do this AZ
Mr.. Roosevelt would have
wanted it DONE"
He went beyond the normally ex-
pected announcement promising to
keep the Roosevelt policies, and pro-
posed to keep the Roosevelt per-
sonnet as well. sFs
No Market Change.
The war-sensitive stock market
showed no encouragement at these
prospects. There was no selling. Ma
tional reaction generally shared this
Interpretation.
AS far as the war is concerned,
not the slightest change is possible.
Our plans were all in the hands Of
the army and navy, and not only
have been long-since adopted, but
all near fulfillment.
Some changes in the peace !
think win eventuate. ] believe Mr..
Roosevelt was near some altera-
tons to meet the newly-arising
international situation. Whatever
these turn out to be, they will not
be far from his plans.
His State Secretary Stettinius
knows the situation thoroughly,
is realistic, and a far greater
man than yet recognized (his
handling of Argentina success
fully gave evidence Of this).
Furthermore, the personality Of
Mr.. Truman is bound to inject itself
more and more in all decisions,
domestic and foreign, as time
goes on. In a year or SO, neces-
sity may well force him into as
sumption Of policy : originating init
alive.
Remember he has nearly four
years to serve, and time swiftly COW
ers graves.
Yet cannot escape the conclusion
that this is the end of an era.
Great men, I have found, are like
artists. When they produce great
work in certain style which gains
them popularity and fame, they
think that is the only way to do
things always thereafter. It becomes
the only way for them. Writers who
make hit with certain line of
endeavor adopt that style and a
change Of it later becomes physical
" impossible for them. Actors who
: gain success playing certain part,
always thereafter live that part in
other roles They become that per!
son.
Indeed all of us cling to the
theories which once proved success
xul 4OI us, 1OllS 64tCA OACy "a S4S-
cessful or popular. New minds come.
along and capture popularity with
new methods, and they supplant the
old who cannot change.
Depression Era Gone.
Mr.. Roosevelt was Of the era Of
depression. He came into the thick
of it, devised successful and popu-
lar line of thought, illustrated by
the spend lend theory. Although
times changed, he did not. He
could not. Human nature would not
allow him to discard or greatly alter
the ideas which brought him to the
top of the world, and he wanted to
pursue them internationally as a
postwar measure.
Truman is a new man, although
also product of the depression era.
Indeed he has been senator only
since 1884. His knowledge is on the
subject of war contracts.
Student Of Roosevelt.