Evening star., 1946-12-07
Don't t Rock the Boot
6. O. P. Warns Itself
Republicans Fear Loud Quarrel
Over Birds Not Yet in Hand
Bv Doris FIeeson

HepuDiIcanS rear Loud Quarrel
Over Birds Not Yet in Hand
By Doris Fieeson
Don't rock the boat, boys, we're
pulling into port"
Spruce Henry P. Fletcher, who used to
be national chairman himself, Of
fered this jesting slogan to the Republi-
can National Committee here Thurs
day. BY and large they followed 1t very
well. Even the better haters among the
party who can usually be counted on to
unveil skeleton or two were relaxing
amid the general aura Of good feeling.
The Republicans now believe that the
only thing they have to fear in 1s4S
Is Republicans. They consider 1t un-
likely that the Democrats can master
the current crises and retrieve their
presidential fortunes. But they fear
that COP quarreling too vigorously
over birds not yet in hand may snatch
defeat from the jaws Of victory.
Hence Thursdays surfeit Of camara-
derie. It could not, however, altogether
conceal evidence regarding certain coll
lisions over who will have the honor
Of standing on the bridge when the
ship reaches port.
While the National Committee ami
ably fraternized on the Statler meg
zanine. In an upstairs suite Harold
e. Stassen OF Minnesota was receiv-
ing friends and well-wishers. With
out public position and lacking the
solid base Of an important pivotal
State. Mr.. Stassen Is openly trying to
organize himself into the presidency and
he dares not be too modest about it.
He was on hand early and, on the
eve Of the Republican meeting, COM
mitteemen from his own Minnesota and
Wisconsin, which will be in his camp,
gave party for him. Nothing fancy
but come and meet the candidate.
The rest of the COPS large presi-
dental stable stayed away from WASH
ington. Each had eyes and ears there,
however, who eagerly received news but
were careful not to give out any.
Several committeeman confirmed the
spreading scope of the carefully planned
Stassen campaign. In Texas, for exam
pie, substantial men have been can
vassing the State, laying the founda-
tions of Stassen organization to So
hcit funds and battle for delegates to
the convention.
Running 2-Year Fight.
All the politicos are agreed that the
next two years will witness continuous,
furious, running fight by half q dozen
candidates to get State delegations COM
mitted to them and capture public favor.
About the outcome they are UNDER
standably cagey.
But one veteran admitted he thought
Mr.. Stassens tactics bad Hes in
there too early answering too many
| questions nobody ever asked him." ac-
cording to this authority.
The other immediate great contest
which was so clearly apparent but which
everybody was affecting not to notice is
that for House majority leader. The two
principal contenders Charles Halleck
| of Indiana and Clarence Brown of
Ohio, were on hand with the big smile
and ready handshake, exhibiting, they
hoped, their qualities of leadership As
of now, this one promises to be bitter
fight.
In their previews Of the future, the
Republicans took generally moderate
tone, in contrast with the immediate
post-election mood displayed on Capi-
tol Hill. One reason is that the new
western victors have sent on word that
they want to be heard before theparty's
course is set. This situation has ex-
plosive potentialities, but has not yet
reached the fireworks stage.