Evening star., 1947-02-16
; Key Senator'S Seen
Leading Party Vote on
LiIienthaI Nomination
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

the Key 10 0eIldIe CUuIlT Hldt dtlOIl
or rejection of Chairman David
/, e. Lilienthal and his associates
| on the new Atomic Energy Com
mission. fR'
How Senators Vandenberg, Re
publican, of Michigan, Hickenloop-
er, Republican,, of Iowa, and Heus-
/ sell, Democrat, of Georgia, finally
! decide to vote after the Senate
! Atomic Committee concludes hear
I, ings, possibly late this week, may
! have determining influence on
I, enough of their colleagues to be
. decisive.
) Committee members held an
. hours session yesterday, but de-
clined to say what they had dis
cussed. One member said unusual
> precautions were taken by Chair
. man Hickenlooper to pledge all
: members to secrecy.
If Senators Vandenberg and
Hickenlooper should support the
nomination, their colleagues said,
Republican opposition which has
been snowballed into formidable
size by Senator Wherry of Nebraska,
the COP whip, might be split wide
open.
Bushfield Opposes Confirmation.
Similarly, if Senator Russell elects
to support Mr.. Lilienthal, his judg-
ment may influence strongly many
, of the Democrats who are unen-
, thusiastic about President Truman's
selection for the commission chair
manship but would be willing to
string along with the Georgia Sen
ator.
Emphasizing the split among Re-
publicans, Senator Bushfleld OF
South Dakota announced yesterday
he is opposed to Mr.. Lilienthal and
Senator Aiken of Vermont told a
reporter he will support the nomi-
nee unless some new and startl-
ing disclosures are made.
At the same time, Senator Kilgore,
Democrat, of West Virginia an
nounced he will support Mr.. Lilien-
thai.
Sen. Bushfeld said he does not
agree with Mr.. Lilienthals phil
osophy of government"
Sen. Aiken declared the whole
matter involves "a fight between
those who want to erect wall
around this country and those of
lis who believe that we must take
part in this new atomic world"
EIlender Is Favorable.
On the Democratic side, Senator
Ellender of Louisiana said he will
vote for Mr.. Lilienthal unless some
proof is produced that hasn't been
shown yet to substantiate the
charges against him."
Senator Tobey. Republican, OF
New Hampshire, said he intends to
support Mr.. Lilienthal and the
other nominees "unqualiiedly."
The evident split among Repub-
licans made 1t likely that the posi-
tion taken by Senator Hickenlooper,
chairman of the Atomic Committee,
would influence many of that party
who are on the fence. Senator VAN
denberg hasirefused to commit him.
self publicly but is considered by
some of his colleagues as likely to
vote for Mr.. Lilienthal.
s. or 4-vote Margin Seen.
II Senator Russell should join IN
opposition, all of the considerable
pressure the administration is re-
ported ready to bring to bear prob
ably would not save the nominees. 4
Democratic analysts with knowl-
edge of senators general views re-.
ported a present margin of three or
four votes in favor of confirmation
for Mr.. Lilienthal.
1t has been the tacit understand
ing for some time that the whole
commission stands or falls on the
Lilienthal vote. since other nominees
probably would refuse to serve If
he we're defeated.
Thus far senator's thinking on the
nominations appears to have taken
several directions.
Split New Deal Philosophy"
In one camp are those who sup
port Iilienthal and what his oppo-
nents have called his New Deal phi
losophy of Government" Publicly,
these include such Democratic stall
wars as Senators Hatch of New
Mexico, Myers of Pennsylvania,
Sparkman of Alabama, Mcmahon OF
Connecticut and Ellender. Republl-
can supporters include Senators
Morse of Oregon, Aiken and Tobey,
al of whom often disagree with
party colleagues.
In another camp are both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans who dislike
Mr.. Lilienthal for various reasons,
such as his alleged New Deal or
"leftist" leanings, his reputed dis
regard for Congress" as some have
put it, or because they say no man
about whom there is any controversy
should head the Atomic Commission.
This group includes such Demo-
Gratis as Senators Overton of Louisi-
ana, 0Daniel of Texas and Stewart
of Tennessee. Senator Mcclellan,
Senator Stewards colleague, is
among this group, with his charge
that Mr.. Lilienthal has been an as
sociate of Communists. Mr.. Lilien-
thai denies this.
Taft Silent on Views.
Republicans in the group include
Senators Moore Of Oklahoma,
Wherry, Bridges of New Hampshire,
KEN of Missouri. Brooks of Illinois.
Brewster of Maine and Bushfield.
Senator Taft of Ohio, the COP
Policy Committee chairman, is
credited by some with sharing their
views, but has declined to make
public his stand.
The third and by far the largest
camp embraces those who have not
said publicly which way they will
vote, in addition to those who have
not made up their minds.
Among these are some who resent
President Truman's action in max
ing recess appointments by which
the nominees took over actual charge
of the Nations atomic plants Janu-
ary l.
Brewster Hits iva Record.
Others say privately they wish the
President had not picked such con-
troyersial figure as Mr.. Lillenthal,