The Wilmington morning star., 1947-07-29
Smoothly Done
BY ARTHUR KROCK

WASHINGTON.-Ine Presidents visit to
the Senate, where he spent what l think were
the best ten years OF my .te." and his brief
reoccapancy of mis- old seat II: the chamber,
will not bring enduring politi al peace between
nim and the Republicans. But the dett and
brill;s mt personal touch of the episode some
what sootned the ill-feeling which vetoes ana
other Presidential actions have aroused.
The homely, pleasant scene, the friendly
words uttered by Senator Vandenberg to Mr..
Truman and the equally frleLoly words u
the President in response, are bound to send
many members home from the adjournment
OF Congress with the consciousness that they
and he, after all, are 1aboring to serve the
state according to their lights. This soothes
he keen edge of partisan controversy, even
though the effect be only temporary.
There was, of course, a master showman
behind the scenes. No Senator, daring" the
President to resume his old seat, was the
impresario. The man to VIII >m the agreeable
idea occurred was Leslie l.. Bdefle of Arkan-
sas secretary to the Senate minority, and a
friend of rare devotion to the Presldent-Ge-
voticn which dates from Mr.. Truman iirst
appearance in the Senate from Missouri.
For some years Mr.. Bifne has employed
the luncheon hour at the Capitol to bring
together political notables of both parties and
others, but mostly Senators, with the Faith
that men who come to know each other work
more constructively on common problems.
1t was he who first suggested to the Presi-
oent, after Mr.. Truman left the Capitol for
the White House, that there was no good
reason why he should not return occaslonai-
ly to tvisit,' as country folk say, with his
former colleagues. The President agreed and
acted on the suggestion once or twice, out OF
which grew Great Idea.
Mr.. Bifle had asked the other guests, after
gettirg the Presidents acceptance to the
luncheon yesterday, and was gazing out Of
the window when the thought came to him.
He proposed it to the actor designed to oe
principal in the kindly drama and got Mr..
lTrur ans consent. Then Mr.. Biffle carefully
arranged matters so that nothing Of the IN
prom. ptu color of the surprise visit would be
lost.
1t was necessary to a good show that a
certain number of people be prepared Cor the
breaking Of every Senate precedent and the
writing Of a new chapter in executive-leg!sla-
tive history. But it was also necessary that
tie snow give off no odor of grease-paint. Mr..
Biftle, therefore, kept his secret from the
press and public. One result was that two
groups of tourists, after briefly inspecting tle
droning Senate from the galleries, left a few
minutes before the President appeared.
Doubtless they are today the most cha grineG
which grew the Great Idea.
Ny. Biffle, a slender man of great sagscity
and 1irmness, and yet as friendly as every
gesture he makes, came to Washington in
1919 as 'patrona ge." The late Senator Joseph
T. Robinson Of Arkansas gave him one Of
the Capitol jobs assigned to that member a
humtle ~clerkship in the eolding-room. Bat the
youths talents, projected by unceasing indus
try and instructive loyalty, soon brought him
70 the attention of the entire Senate. He be-
came indispensable to the minority in the
NlnetWen TWentles, and, when the Democrats
became the majority in 1888, Mr.. Bifsle Was
elected Secretary of the Senate. He e-ved
in that capacity until the o~verturn of the 1916
elections. Then it was decided he should have
an office called Secretary OF the Minority,
with ample quarters and facilities. The Re
pub!icans, with whom he IS as popular as
the Democrats, were glad to agree.
In this niche Mr.. Biffle is even more I'M
portant in some respects than when lie was
Secretary of the Senate. His work as pro-
fessional whip Of the Demoerats-a Senator
always holds the amateur title-has became
more consequential because, with the narrow
margin OF the Republican majority, an alert
Democratic whip may upset it at any time.
as Mr.. Biffle has demonstrated. His intimate
relations with the President, who relies on
his counsel in many matters, bring 10 his
Office Republicans as well as Democrats with
questions and requests that involve the White
House.
To all who come On legitimate errands M.
Bn-e is helpful, his only reservations being
two; he will attempt nothing that even pos
sibly might conflict with the interests Of his
party in Congress, especially in the Senate:
ana he will not listen to a proposal or a
Request Tor White House assistance which ne
thinks would have an adverse effect On the
President, though. unintended. Despite this,
and iiso despite the schism between Admin
%istrat!on and anti-Administration Democrats
III the Senate. Mr.. Bitfle has the good will
and strong liking of every r1ember Of that
branch as we'll as Of hundreds Of others IN
Washington.
Shl ewdness, tact, and the good taste Of
which tact is a part, are strong constituents
in Mr. Biffle's makeup. This was shown
again when the Republican leadership of the
Senate was represented at the luncheon by
Senator White, the titular. leader. Senator
Vandcnberg and Senator Wherry. The distin-
guished co-leader, Senator Taft, was not
there because of the feeling that has grown
up between him and the President. Mr.. BIZ
lie. though he is on the best Of terms with
Mr.. 1T, made sure that nothing would mar
the u1y of good feeling.-New York Times.