Evening star., 1946-02-11
Democratic Party Rift
Appears Developing
Oyer PauIey Issue

A rift between Congressional
and National Committee Demo-
Gratis appeared to be developing
today over President Truman's
domination of Edwin w. Pauley,
California oil man, as Under
secretary of the Navy.
administration supporters on
Capitol Hill privately complained
to reporters that they had not
been consulted about Mr.. Tru-
mans final decision to submit Mr..
Pauley's name.
They further said they had not
been asked for their views before
the President made it plain he
did not plan to withdraw the Pauley
appointment despite indications it
faces almost certain defeat in the
Senate
Hannegan Criticism Reported.
On the other hand, Chairman
Robert E. Hannegan and his asso-
ciates on the Democratic National
Committee were quoted by some
persons to whom they had talked
as saying the administration lead
ership in the Senate had done little
to advance Mr.. Pauley's chances
for confirmation.
Significantly, administration lieu
tenants said they had made no poll
of Senate sentiment on the ap-
pointment but were certain after a
cross-check that there is little hope
of obtaining favorable vote Ordi-
narily when the issue is close, polls
are made and pressure is brought
to bear on Senators who may be
wavering.
In this case. however, there was
no indication that any major effort
was being exerted to line up sup
porters for Mr.. Pauley, former Dem
ocratic National Committee treas
urer, whose chances for conflrma-
tion were damaged greatly by testi-
mony of Secretary of the Interior
Ickes.
Pauley Denied Ickes' Charge.
Mr.. Ickes told the Senate Naval
Committee that in 1914, Mr.. Pauley
suggested to him that 100000 in
campaign contributions could be
raised from oil men if they could
be sire the Government would not
file and press a suit to claim title
to submerge producing lands In
off-shore ocean areas.
Mr.. Pauley denied he made any
such suggestion, contending that Mr.
1ckes must have been mistaken" )"
MIR. Hannegan has backed Mr..
Pauley in this stand but thus far
he and other members of the Ma
tional Committee apparently have
been<the only ones who have called
up Senators and tried to convince
them that they should go along with
Mr. Pauley rather than accept the
1ckes' version.
Mr.. Pauley has said he has no in
tention OF asking Mr.. Truman to
withdraw his name, but many Sen
ate Democrats hope that something
will turn up to prevent showdown
vote.
Opposition Shown in Poll.
ChbC1iG W "lltCIl
against the Pauley appointment al
ready has solidified was demon
strated by an Associated Press can
vass of members which indicated
that as of now majority of those
likely to be present and voting would
cast their ballots against confrma-
ton.
This spot check showed 48 Sem
ators are inclined to vote against
confirmation with Al leaning toward
approval. Seven could not be
reached or refused to disclose, even
anonymously, their present inclina-
tionS.
With Senators Connally, Demo-
crat, OF Texas, and Vandenberg, Re-
publican. of Michigan, in London for
the United Nations meeting and
Senator Glass. Democrat, of Vir-
ginia Ill, the 48 tentatively listed as
against the appointment would be
more than a ajority.
Included among the 48 are Is
Democrats. and 33 minority men,
bers. On the favorable side are two
Republicans and 80 Democrats.
Meanwhile, the Presidents nomi-
nation of George E. Allen, former
Democratic National Committee
secretary, to two-year term on the
Reconstruction Finance Corp.
board, seemed likely to go through
without substantial opposition.
Most Senators had not made up
their minds about the Presidents
choice of Commodore James K.
Vardaman, jr.. White House naval
aide, for 14-year term on the Fed
eral Reserve Board A banking sub
committee headed by Senator Rad
cliffe, Democrat. of Maryland will
begin hearings next Monday on the
Vardaman nomination, opposed by
a group of Republicans led by Sena-
tor Donnell of Missouri
Benes Sees No Peace