Evening star., 1947-09-21

Whitney trumpeted that millions
would be spent by his union to defeat
him in 194S. After the veto of the
Taft Hartley bill. Whitney deity
hoped aboard the Truman band.
wagon.
Aside from his uncertainty about
the support of organized labor, in
the event he seeks to form a new
party, Mr.. Wallace must contend
with a split among independent lib
erals themselves. Spiritually he is
aligned with the Progressive Citizens
Of America, an organization that in
dorses his stand for full cooperation
with Russia. But to Americans for
Democratic Action, q liberal group
that includes many former New
Dealers, his name Is sheer anathema.
The prospect Of these two warning
liberal factions getting on any third
party with Wallace as Standard
bearer Is considerably less than thin.
Why. then, does Mr.. Wallace cher
ish hope? Where Is his strength, II
any, and how could 1t possibly grow2
What is his present strategy?
Encouraged by Signs
Mr.. wallace evidently was given
renewed hope by the large crowds
that turned out to hear him on his
midsummer cross-country tour. In
Chicago, in Detroit and In California
the receptions were tumultuous and
prolonged. At CIO Labor Day
rally in Michigan an estimated $4,000
persons cheered his assaults on "re-
dictionary" elements OF the Demo-
cratic Party, and wildly applauded
his oft-repeated threat: IF we don't
make the Democratic Party into .
party of peace and prosperity, We
shall build new party"
Despite the criticism that befell
him after his custer from the Cab
met, Gallup poll taken at the end
Of last June showed that IS per cent
Of those questioned would support
Wallace-led third party ticket If
offered In 1S4S. The percentage was
substantially higher for labor union
members who were polled (22 per
cent?, and for former New Dealers
(ls per cent?.
Encouraged by these signs, Mr..
Wallace Is sticking to his plan. The
strategy Is no secret. He will seek
delegates TO- the 48 nominating con.
vention, not with any hope Of Sc
curing the nomination, but In an
effort 10 force the partH to broaden
its platform and to help nominate
Vice-President considered accept
able to organized labor and liberals.
If this fails, he may 60 through with
his threat to form a third party.
Should that result in the election
Of q Republican administration in
194s. q popular reaction four years
later might sweep the new party
into office. Such, at least, Is the
dream.
Consistently Talks Peace
Mr.. Wallace has taken the posi-
ton that both major parties are
dominated by "reactionary" ele-
ments. He says he is still hopeful
that the Democratic Party will
once more become the organ Of
true liberalism" II 1t does not, the
only alternative, as he sees 1t, 10
the formation of dynamic new
liberal party that will appeal to the
rank and file Of labor, to the grass
roots Of the country and the mas
sive urban centers that for 10 years
adhered to the leadership OF Frank
lin Roosevelt.
Even impartial political observers
agree that Mr.. Wallace's strength
could grow. Since his domestic pro-
gram does not differ radically from
the platform Of the Democrat Party,
his main chance for an upsurge In
popular support would seem to hinge
on the issue Of foreign policy. Should
the Truman doctrine Of fighting
the spread Of communism abroad
with American dollars fail, should
severe depression here sour the
country generally In its tug-of-wsr
with the Soviet, Mr.. Wallace con.
ceivably might emerge as q Mes.
sianic seer. .,
Essentially Mr.. wallace's grass
roots appeal lies IN his consistent
talk of peace whileso many spokes-
men of both major parties speak Of
war. He was quick to denounce the
Truman doctrine at its inception,
and the Administration itself seems
quietly to have dropped 1t in favor
Of the more popular Marshall plan.
Indorsed Marshall Plan
While condemning the Truman
doctrine as opening the United
States TO charges OF ruthless I'M
perialisn, Mr.. Wallace has indorsed
the Marshall plan, providing Amer
ican loans are not withheld from
Russia. Rightly or wrongly, futile
dreamer or prophetic statesman, he
sees only a mad rush toward world
chaos II this country continues to
regard the Soviet as an imminent
enemy instead of friend. He
counsels patience, understanding,
across timetable bargaining and the
utmost faith in the United Nations
as an alternative to what he con-
siders "warmongering."
Instead of sending money for
guns and planes to European coun-
tries he would dispatch plows and
tractors. Instead Of having United
States diplomats intervene In the
foreign affairs Of Greece and italy
and similar states to halt com.
Gee THIRD PARf FaSs c-5J