Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-11-15
Mrs Dalton and Tradition

Most Americans will find it bit diff
cult to understand why there is great
political TODD in Britain over Hugh Dali
tons "indiscretion." AS Chancellor OF the
Exchequer, Mr.. Dalton revealed to re-
porter certain budgetary information that
appeared in a London newspaper even
before he presented it to the House OF
Commons. The result is that Prime Min
lister Attlee has accepted his resignation,
that Winston Churchills Conservative
Party is demanding full-scale inquiry
into the incident and that the Labor
government self-admittedly has suffered
damaging blow"-a blow that may con-
ceivably shorten its life.
Here In the United States there would
be no comparable commotion II the Sec
rotary of the TreaSury-WhoSe position
corresponds to that of Britain's Chan
cellor of the Exchequer-became entan-
gled in similar situation. Advance
budgetary information is made available
to the American press on confidential,
hold-for release basis. Should there be
a premature leak" as in the case of Mr..
Dalton, the executive branch of our Gov
eminent would be unlikely to feel pro-
foundry embarrassed and upset-a fact
that makes the British reaction seem
somewhat puzzling on this side of the
water. But one word is enough to sum
up and explain the difference: Tradition.
Although it is possible of course, that
Mr.. Dalton's "1ndiscretion" has deeper
ramihcations than reports indicate, al
though the Conservative Partys proposed
inquiry may be aimed at finding out
whether financial spectators prof1ted
from the leak" there seems to be gen.
eral agreement in Britain that the scan
dali consists primarily of the fact that
an ancient and sacred tradition has been
broken. The Chancellor of the Exchequer
is one of the most important of Britain's
cabinet members, and it is time-honored
and inviolable rule that the contents Of
his budget messages must remain top
secret until divulged to the House of
Commons.
Wholly apart from any other facts that
may be brought to light through parlia-
mentary investigation, it is chiefly be-
cause he violated this rule that Mr.. Dalton
one of the big five" leaders of the
Labor Party-has been obliged to resign.
At the same time, his "indiscretion" has
hurt the Attlee government as a whole.
1t has done so in the sense that it enables
the opposition to make political capital
out of the idea that other key members
of that government may be similarly lack
ing in good judgment or careless with
information whose nature demands safe
guards against premature publication.
The appointment of the universally re-
spected Sir Stafford Grips as Mr.. Dalton s
SUCCESSOR move increasing Sir Stafford S
dictatorial powers-seems designed in part
to offset such criticism.
In the American view, all this may seem
to be little more than a teapot tempest.
But in Britain, where tradition carries
great weight-often for excellent reasons
it is plainly regarded in every quarter
as a matter of extreme seriousness.
Whether Mr.. Attlee weathers 1t or not
and the chances are that he Wilt con-
stitutes good example of how much we
differ from the British even though our
political institutions are basically alike. 1t
is good example, too Of why we make
a mistake whenever we use only our own
customs and standards In trying to under
stand other peoples.