The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1946-03-31
Baruch Appointment
BY ARTHUR KROCK

WASHINGTON, March 3O.-The acclaim that
greeted the Presidents nomination of Bernard
M. Baruch to be the United States member
on the atomic energy commission of the UNO
was almost unanimous This led to the almost
unanimous expectation that the Senate would
instantly confirm the nomination. But 1t was
announced today that the committee to which
Mr. Baruch's name has been referred will
not act SO swiftly The reason can be traced
to the nominee himself.
All his life Mr. Baruch has insisted on being
thoroughly informed before taking position
or beginning project. What are the tacts?'
he has asked so constantly that Woodrow Will
son used to call him "Dr. Facts" His tech
nique in this respect has been compared to that
OF an elephant which, before crossing bridge,
tests it carefully tc make sure it will bear his
weight. But sometimes, even after Mr.. Baruch
has satisfied himself by such tests, he has
declined to cross the bridge So have elephants.
He sets up his own traffic lights, and he
invariably conforms to the instruction stop.
look and isten' That is why he lis not yet
ready to be confirmed by the Senate: he
wants to be certain what duties are required
of him and what his other obligations as a
delegate are to be. Until our national atomic
energy policy is settled, our international pol
icy cannot be, and it is the latter which MIR.
Baruch has been appointed to carry out He
does not wish to commit himself to execute
policy until he knows what it is and whether
he believes in it. This is the procedure of
lifetime.
Our atomic energy policy must be fixed by
the President and Congress- and the legisla-
ton which will be passed will define it. Thus
far the legislation is still incomplete in the
Senate special committee, and committee con-
troversies over some major provisions will not
be disposed of until they have been threshed
0ut In the Senate he thar,
the President may dsapprove Of the solution,
which would call for another try.
It is more likely, however, that the President
and majority of Congress will come to an
agreement soon and the policy entrusted to
Mr.. Baruch will be definitely Indicated He
must then decide whether he can faithfully
represent it before the UNO, and, if and when
he does. confirmation Of his appointment will
follow quickly. If he decides otherwise. "they''
Gin his own words to friend Twill have to
get another messenger boy" This outcome
seems less probable than the other But those
who have discussed with Mr.. Baruch the rec
concentrations OF the State Departments COM
mite, headed by Under-Secretary Acheson
believe he will not feel qualified to serve on
the UNO unless some passages are not reflect
ed in policy.
What these sections are is not known. How
ever, fair assumption is that they deal with
ulOuSHL by SOME 10 under
cut the detectives Of the Vandenberg amend
ment to the Mcmahon bill. This assumption
is based on the fact that Mr.. Vandenberg
addressed five unpublished questions to Mr..
Baruch on atomic policy and then expressed
himself a. satisfied with the appointment. Also,
the Senator's insistence that an effective in
spection system among the nations shall pre-
cede the release Of certain information has
been so strong that it is improbable he would
support the nomination of delegate to the
UNO who felt otherwise.
Mr.. Baruch's reference to himself as mes
senger boy" is, OF course, true in part. He
may assist in making our atomic policy, but
he will not make it. That, as said before,
will be the joint product Of the President and
Congress. The United States member of the
atomic energy commission of the UNO will
have as his chief duty the execution of policy
and will be under definite instructions The
word he will speak will be the official word
transmitted to him.
But there are all sorts Of messenger boys,
and great deal depends on their talents in
carrying out their assignments. AS delegate |
Mr.. Baruch would frequently be on his own
in dealing With immediate and difficult situa-
lions In which he must act without reference
or other delay. Moreover, he has ability and
prestige In extraordinary measure; he is |
known and respected abroad as at home; and
IN his hands points of policy will prevail which
in other hands might not. Despite what he says
about being a messenger boy, the office to
which he has been appointed calls for superior
talents and great reputation, both Of which
he supplies.
Also another of his naxims illustrates the
wisdom of entrusting this important business
to Mr.. Baruch. ''You can't tell locomotive
engineer what to do in unforeseen circum-
stances that may confront him when he is
going eighty miles an hour" he has been
heard to say. That is what he will be doing
very often if he becomes our member CT the
CNO commission, having satisfied himself
what our policy is to be and whether he be-
heves in it. The President realized this when
he chose Mr.. Baruch.
But any public impression which may have
arisen that he will make the policy he is to
execute, or will have authority to change it
fundamentally as he goes, is incorrect If that |
were true he would not now be engaged in
his celebrated imitation of the elephant, or,
stating 1t another way, in obeying his own
semaphore. He would be an incarnation of
the President and Congress combined, and
thus highly illegal.-New York Times.