Evening star., 1947-06-30
On the Record
Domestic Policy Warfare
Makes u. S. Vulnerable
World Powder Kes' Situation
Seen in Legislative Feuds
Bv Dorothy Thompson

Arer;ca,s role in the world is tied up with
internal affairs. bipartisan foreign policy can
onlv be effective as part of general policy.
The fact that two contending parties agree on
a foreign policy but are proceeding IN diametri-
callv opposite directions on domestic affairs.
eventually will lead to breakdown OF the policy.
This is particularly true in the present constel-
lation.
Secretary Marshall is attempting to secure
the reconstruction of Europe as an economic
entity politically free from interference by
either the United States or the Soviet Union.
This is high craftsmanship and Its success is
a matter of life or death to our civilization and
nossibly the Soviets, too. If it fails and Europe
deen.ends into chaos-civil strife and possible
civil war, with the political adVenturlsm pro-
duced bv chaos-there will be economic COL
LAPSE here and probably another international
war.
This is not hysteria The Marshall policy Is
a response to challenge that cannot be eHag-
gerated. 1t has a chance to succeed with the
collaboration of the Soviets and even without
or against them, and without war. But II mas
no chance if the United States goes to pieces
internally. For it demands uninterrupted pro-
duction, dependent on harmonious industrial
relations.
Labor Bill Disturbing.
The situation created by the Presidents
veto of the labor bill and congressional over
riding of it is, therefore, profoundly disturbing.
The ewes of the world are on the United States
and the actions of all states are being based on
calculations of the American domestic situation.
There has been little craftsmanship in the
White House on this issue. This column also
does not like the labor bill-Which seems
framed rather for lawyers than for Industry or
labor. which has clauses bound to exacerbate.
not alleviate relations, and which is sadly lack
ing in precision of definition.
But retrospect does not confirm that 1t Vio-
Iates President Truman's own past attitudes.
This column for instance, did not think the
Presidents handling of the last coal strike was
"masterly" or "triumphant.'
Neither do we find praise for labor's leaders
who fail to recognize the fact of public re-
action against many of their practices. Their
reform was democratic demand they failed
to heed.
Signaled Labor Revolt
But meanwhile the President, being fully
cognizant of the main provisions of the bill
while it was still under consideration, not only
vetoed it without previous warning but at
tackled each and every measure in it. Though
prefacing his message by admission of labor
abuses, he left the impression that th9Te are
none. Certainly no one reading his message
could imagine bill he would accept. More
over he gave the green light to labor revolt
by putting the worst and most eXaggera ID
Interpretation upon the bill with leck OF
responsibility comparable to the grin y.h
which he received the news of the dropping
Of the first atomic bomb.
We understand the dilemma occasioncd by
Henry Wallace's Communist-inspired thrca, to
split the Democratic Party. Eut that m),e
didn't start last week either, and forc29nt
supposedly is quality of craftsmanship
What is now needed is the greatest possible
reconciliation all around. For if we are all
out to defeat each other, we shall certa "
be defeated as people. If we are, there is
not one American-of whatever color. roe.
creed or social station-Who will not suffer as
he never dreamed he could.
tReleased by the Bell Syndicate Inc