Evening star., 1946-03-20
Wallace S Plan Seen
AS Move 10 Force Part,
Stand on Top Issues
BY the Associated Press

"T His NasoeiutsQ tEfest
Henry A. Wallace started Capitol
Hill speculating today whether he
intends to spearhead drive to force
the major political parties to take
a firm stand on top economic and
international issues.
He also failed to please the Demo-
cratic leadership in his proposal that
the party Danish members who re-
fuse to go down the line on major
items in the administrations pro-
gram.
The fact that this is an election
year made the suggestion unwelcome
to party chiefs trying to WOO back
Democratic legislators who have
strayed from the administrations
reservation in recent weeks.
Hatch Sums Up Reaction.
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico. summed up one portion OF
Capitol Hill reaction to the proposal
OF the Secretary of Commerce that
both parties expel members who de-
sert on big issues.
MY impression is that Secretary
Wallace was trying to point out the
essential differences and hoping fo,
a realignment of political parties in
this country" Senator Hatch told
a reporter.
AT the same time, Senator Nc
kellar. Democrat, of Tennessee
voiced speculation that the back
ground might be connected with
possible ambitions of one oi
Mr.. Wallace's closest political
friends, Stabilization Director Ches-
ter Bowles.
Twitted by Senator Taft, Repub-
lican. of Ohio about Mr.. Bowles
charge that Senate enemies of the
stabilization program had fatherec
a cut in OPA funds, Senator Nc.
Kellar replied:
Il have heard that Mr.. Bowles
is candidate for the presidency
Maybe that had something to dc
with it."
Mr.. Wallace, who recently de-
scribed Mr.. Bowles as "the most
dramatic figure in Washington, ;
came in for some verbal pasting in
the Senate yesterday for his asser-
ton that Democrats and Repub-
llcans who don't follow party lines
on such things as the British loan
and full employment ought to join
the opposition or form an independ-
ent political group.
Johnston Resents Advice.
Senator Johnston, Democrat, OF
South Carolina told his colleagues
that he didn't like such advice from
a cabinet member or any one else
Senator Capehsrt, Republican, OF
Indiana told a reporter he thought
Mr.. Wallaces suggestion was silly
and ridiculous" and Senator Taft
said Secretary Wallace completely
Imisunderstands the way in which
the average Senator approaches
Legislation"
officers at Democratic national
headquarters asserted the Commerce
Secretary would get nowhere with
his plan.
Generally. Republicans joined
Democrats in calling the idea i'm
practical" The former also said it
smacked of political purge" sys-
tenn akin to Hitlers or Stalin's.
Hannegan Refuses Comment.
Chairman Hannegan of the DEM
ocratic National Committee stood
on his March Is speech at Whining
ton, Del, in refusing to comment
on the Wallace proposal, made at
"a luncheon here Monday.
Sam O'Neal, publicity director OF
the National Committee, said Mr.
Hannegan in that speech did not
Igo as far as Mr.. Wallace in criti-
cizing the House combination OF
Republicans and Southern Demo
Gratis who frequently defeat admin
istration measures.
Mr.. Hannegan held such a com
bination politically irresponsible
and an attempt to replace majority
rule with government by class com
pact" but he suggested no purge.
Wallace is speaking for Wallace ;
was the way one party headquar.
tiers official summed up his pro.
posal