Evening star., 1947-09-12

gentleman's self esteem, President
Truman has authorized the ap-
pointment of the incredible Mr..
Pauley as special assistant to Sec
retary of War Royal.
No Republican strategist could
have suggested a maneuver that is
so likely to confuse the Democrats
President Truman has created the
occasion for a disintegrating slo-
gan: Down the drain with Pauley."
This appointment was unbeliev-
able. It was worse than mistake;
it was hara-kiri. In a poker hand
in which deuces are wild, the Demo-
Gratis have dealt the Republicans Of
California four deuces. This ap-
pointment ought to make 1t doubly
certain that President Truman will
not carry the State in 1s48.
Truman in Brazil at Time.
President Truman was conven-
kiently in Brazil when the, announce
ment was made Of the Pauley faux
pas. It seems that the War De-
partment wanted to improve its
procurement techniques. And in
view of the fact that the Army is
in class only with the Navy in
the purchase of petroleum products,
to whom would it more naturally
turn than to that procurement ex-
pert, the late, but not late enough,
Edwin w. Pauley? He was easy to
get at because, despite his resig-
nation as the most extraordinary Of
extraordinary plenipotentiaries to
the farthest, and therefore the most
obscure, corners of the world, Mr.
Pauley fortunately had retained his
Office in the White House, where
official stationery was available that
he once had the right to use when
he was the most extraordinary of
ambassadors extraordinary.
Undoubtedly. before leaving for
Brazil, President Truman must have
known that Mr. Pauley was to be
given this appointment which, just
by chance of course, would not re-
quire Senate confirmation. If he
did not know it, then his righteous
anger when he returns at his leisure
will not only be understood but ex-
pected. In such an event, not only
Secretary Royal, but Mr.. Pauley
himself, might seek temporary shell
ter from the Presidential storm on
that wonderful place for a Sum
mer White House." Coconut Isle,
one of the smuggling islets of the
Hawaiian group.
The American people do not need
to be reminded that it was this
same indispensable" Mr.. Pauley
whom President Truman, once upon
a time, nominated to be Under Sec
retary of the Navy. There, too, he
would have been in charge of pro-
curement. Mr.. Truman tried to put
this nomination through the Senate
by main strength, but it gave off
such a gaseous smell that even
Senators belonging to Mr.. Truman's
own party had to hold their noses
while crying out in anguish to the
President to withdraw a nomination
that gave them nausea. President
Truman did this, but such was his.
Pendergastian loyalty that he felt
that he had to do something to
save what was left of Mr.. Pauley's
face.
Title Quoted at Length.
So he sent him, without Senate
confirmation, as his own special
ambassador into as far away cor
ners of the world as could be found.
And now comes Secretary Royal
with breathtaking title for the ex-
Undersecretary (almost) of the Navy,
and the ex-Excellency to various
remote parts Of the world. His
present proud title is: Temporary
Special Assistant to the Secretary
Of War During the Transition Period
in Charge Of Industrial Mobilization
and Procurement. It is not clear
whether 1t Is the period that issin
transition" or Mr.. Pauley, but
in any event, during his incum-
bency, he is to be in charge of
procurement, probably including
that of oil. Incidentally, this ap-
pointment has raised a big question
mark as to Secretary Royals quail
ifications for high and responsible
public Office.
I can understand President Tru-
mans anxiety to apply further salve
to the grievous wound suffered by
Mr.. Pauley when he tried to take
over the Navy Department by