Evening star., 1947-03-31

ton or the party.
Following so closely the recent
exhibition of Mr. Sullivan as ar
overslick and exceedingly shallow
:. politician, the more able men in the
White House circle are considerably
disturbed by the assumption that
the President will consult with him
on Strategy; that his advice will
have White House weight and that
a blanket plan favored by Mr.. Sulli-
vans advisers" for a whole series
OF sensational vetoes, designed to
knock the props from under the Re-
publican program, already has been
discussed.
This does not mean they are op-
posed to the use of the presidential
veto-quite the contrary. 1t does
mean that they are opposed to its
use merely for political reasons. 1t
does mean they do not want the
President to use his veto to kill a
bill just because it is Republican
bill, regardless of its merit or the
attitude of the people toward it.
Wise Use of Veto Urged.
In brief, they want the veto to
be used Discriminatory and clearly
In the public interests. This con-
trasts with the politicians who want
Mr.. Truman to frustrate the Re
publicans in any way he can, pre-
vent them from making a record,
keep them from getting credit.
The more broad-minded of Mr..
Truman's friends think this indis-
criminate use of the veto would be
extremely short-sighted politics,
which in the end would react
against the President, destroy much
of the strength and prestige which
he has gained in recent months.
These, for example, are strongly
in, favor Of his vetoing the Republi-
can tax bill. Under existing condi-
tions to reduce taxes by anything
like as much as is proposed and be-
fore the size of the budget reduc-
tion Is known is, they contend, in
defensible and dangerous. The
President, 1t is held, is bound to
veto such a bill. 1t would be a
dereliction In his duty to let it be-
come law.
The Nation as whole will sustain
him, they believe, in refusing to
sign, which they are sure he will do.
But this Is very different PROPOSE
ton from the other Republican bills
which will be laid on Mr.. Truman's
desk very shortly.
One Of these, as a matter of fact,
IS already there. 1t is the portal
to-portal" bill, which nullifies the
fantastic and incredible suits insti-
tuted against big and little industry
by labor unions-and which even
sonic of the unions concede are lop-
sided and unjustifiable. This bill
was passed by large majority, in
Guiding many Democrats. Yet, Mr..
Truman now is being pressed to
veto it. 1t is reported and widely
believed that he will do so.
In addition, there is an increas-
ing number of Democratic poll
ticians who believe that Mr.. Truman
will follow a ''portal-to-portal' dis
approval (Which might be passed
over his veto) by vetoing Republi-
can labor legislation, whether it
comes to him as one large bill or
in a number of small ones, on the
grounds that the bill or bills are
"too drastic" infringe on the rights
of labor" were passed in win
dictive spirit" etc. In brief, he will
use as an argument the adjectives
and names which have been
mouthed by the CIO outside spokes-
men and their senatorial stooges
from the start.
Aides Reject Idea.
Conceding- that these predictions
come from persons supposedly in
close touch with the President, some
whose loyalty to him is unquestioned
refuse to believe them.
They reject the idea on these
grounds-first. that such vetoes
would be clearly inspired by po-
litical fear. They would indicate a
degree of servility in Mr.. Truman
utterly incompatible with self
respect; second, it would be ex-
tremely stupid of Mr. Truman in
that it would put him in direct con-
tradiction to the will of the people
generally. 1t could not get him
the support of any voters not now
with him and certainly would lose
him the support OF many who now
incline his way. Even from the
short-range political viewpoint the
advantages of such vetoes would be
exceedingly dubious.
From the long-range view, they
would seem disastrous. Certainly
they would give the Republicans
powerful additional arguments for
the 1948 campaign, putting Mr..
Truman and his party definitely on
the defensive. 1t would seem a
species of political imbecility which
could not be sold Mr.. Truman by
any one.
A large part of his new strength
with the people is due to the con-
viction that since the election he
no longer has to pretend to be a
New Dealer (Which he never was at
heart) but can now be himself. II