Evening star., 1947-04-03
Democratic Leaders
Act 10 End Split Led
by Wallace and Byrd
y The A..osia,.d s.s..

DemOCFdtlC leddefS dppoiCneiy
carried the blessings OF Presi-
dent Truman today in a new
effort to patch up party differ
ences, represented on one hand
by former Vice President Wallace
and the other by Senator Byrd
of Virginia.
Senator Byrd, who is widely re-
garded as taking more conserva-
tive line, was invited along with
leaders from four other states to the
first OF series OF Democratic Ma
tional Committee pep meetings.
The Virginia Senator has beer
openly critical of President Tru.
mans proposal for this Nation to g
it alone in helping Greece and Tur-
key-as has Mr.. Wallace, although
the two frequently are poles aparl
on other issues.
In announcing the series OF meet
ings, Gael Sullivan, the committees
executive director, said everything
from foreign policy to the high cos
of living would be discussed. Blu
he made it fairly plain that th'
main idea is to get Democratic
wheelhorses together for an earl,
and harmonious start on the 1914
presidential campaign.
Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware
Maryland and Pennsylvania lead
ers were on the list to meet witt
cabinet and other officials today
On April 10, the Democratic chief
tains from Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire and Vermont will
come to town for similar conferen
ces.
Mr.. Wallace, who has classed him.
self with the self-described Demo.
cratic liberals" apparently will get
as warm welcome as any othel
party member when he arrives tt
hear President Truman address thu
Jefferson Day dinner Saturday night
Although Mr.. wallace isn't on tn,
program, there are clear indication,
he isn't going to be snubbed despit.
what some Of the Democrats ar.
calling the unfortunate" referenc,
Mr.. Sullivan made to him on &
recent radio program.
Mr.. Sullivan said in the course o
a question and answer exchange
last week that the National Com
mittee wouldn't call on either Mr
Wallace or Senator Pepper, Demo
crat. Of Florida for help in 1914
because both hold views divergen
from those of the President.
Steps already have been taken II
make matters right with Senate
Pepper. The latter told reportel
he was somewhat surprised by Mr.
Sullivan's remark because he ism
the only Democrat who has BLASTED
at Mr.. Truman's proposal to sent
Greece and Turkey 100000, 600 il
financial aid and some military help
Senator Pepper said Mr.. Sullivan
told him the National COMMITTEES
director didn't mean 1t that way al
all.
Mr.. Sullivan didn't say just what
he did mean, Senator Pepper added
"but anyway everything's all right
We're still good friends and we're al
working for the party"
Whether Mr.. Wallace will get the
benefit of some such semi-public re-
traction as Mr.. Sullivan made tc
Senator Pepper at a dinner for Sen
ators and Representatives. Tuesday
night remains to be seen.
But there seemed little doubt
that Mr.. Truman will find way
If he hasn't already--to make it
clear to Mr.. Wallace that he didn't
inspire Mr.. Sullivan's remarks. Sen
ator Pepper said the White House
already had sent him word to that
effect by other Senators.
The whole episode appeared likely
to have the effect sof sinking al 8
ambition Mr.. Sullivan may have en-
tertained OF succeeding Robert e
Hannegan as national chairman.
Mr.. Hannegan, recuperating from
illness in Florida, may give UP the
party helm before the 1948 cam
paign begins to get really hot. But
most of the betting here is that Mr.
Sullivan won't fall heir to the
scepter unless he reverses his fielo
rather quickly.