Evening star., 1946-11-09
FuIbright Called Man
Taking to Himself
Reactions of Kitchen Cabinet
Indicate New Party Line
By Doris FIeeson

w L'OJSS AtCCSOD
The providential accident of heavy
cold shields President Truman from the
press and an influx of callers who might
report his postelection frame of mind.
Beset by the surging blood pressure
that will mean his eventual resigna-
ton, Postmaster General Hannegan is
in Walter Reed Hospital for check
up, safe from inquisition.
Democrats in the inner circle are not
bashful, however, about certain trial
balloons that have been hoated. They
are agreed that-whatever the academic
merits of the Fulbright proposal that
the President resign-realistically, the
Senator presents splendid portrait OF
a man talking to himself.
The wincing reaction of one Tru-
man kitchen cabineteer: What does
he take Harry for? A coward?" indi-
Gated the line that is being followed
around him. Should Mr.. Truman abb
dicate, his cabinet, many minor officials
and his personal appointees would be
obligated to follow suit. They like
Washington. Their wives especially
prefer it to rushing home to Hohokus.
Being human, they want to enjoy their
perquistes and their invitations to
Mrs. McLean's parties as long as pos
sible. Their pressure on Mr.. Truman
is the obvious one.
Sarcastic Jabs Hurled.
AS one said to Arthur Krock of the
New York Times: The Senator is will
ing to send his wife's relations to the
forefront of the battle" This sarcastic
jibe at the fact the Senator would keep
his own seat fairly describes the pro-
fessional politicians reaction.
The President has shown repeatedly
that he is party man who can be had
by the party argument. For the latest
example, the President was unhappy
over his prediction isolation; resented
the cartoons kidding it. He pleaded to
make one Nationwide broadcast, at
least. But when anxious debate at
headquarters and reports from the field
said no, he yielded with grace.
The professionals take little different
tack on 1948. Many have heard the Pres
ident talk wistfully of returning to his
mothers place at Grandview, of his dis
like of the formal living the White House
entails They believe as of now he means
it when he speaks of not wishing to
run again.
But they think maybe they will have
to override him again, in order to avert
a knockdown fight with the Henry Wall
lace wing They feel Mr. Wallace's last
minute campaigning was horribly inept
and that he is losing ground but they
can't be sure he is goner yet. They
are not ready to throw open the question
of a 1948 candidate and they bank on
Harry to play it the partys way.
Powerful Factor.
Real insiders admit to a powerful fac
tor who may upset their calculations for
l948 Her name is Bess Truman. One
astute source who has dealt with her
expects her to influence her husband
against running and to be successful in
the effort. 1t is interesting, incidentally.
how SO very quiet person has managed
to impress so many people here with
the effect of a strong personality.
1t is certainly obvious that Mrs. Tru-
man and Margaret are not White House
addicts They went home for the sum-
| mer, though the President had to re-
main here, and Margaret stayed home
to study her singing in Kansas City. The
President dined alone many nights in
their absence; he and Mrs. Truman are
often alone there now. True. in their
milieu people do eat supper at home and
having your friends in means a party.
Also, the Trumans sensibly are trying
to keep down expenses and not get into
the red as they could so easily do
But the fun to be had out of the White
House is not the simple life. For that,
home is better
Released by The Bell Syndicate, Ine)