Evening star., 1948-05-04
The Political Min
Democrats Specializing
On Sullivan Successor
Some Propose Southerner as Good
Political Move
The Political Min
By Gould Lincoln

Chairman j. Howard McGrath of the Demo-
cratic National Committee has set himself the
job Of nominating and electing President Harry
s. Truman to succeed himself-and he Is leav-
ing no stones unturned. AS a matter Of fact,
he believes that things are improving both
for Mr. Truman and for the Democratic Party,
There is no blinking the fact, however, that
there has been room for a great amount Of
improvement, and there still is.
The retirement Of Gael Sullivan from the
office Of executive director and vice chairman
Of the Democratic National Committee has
led to much speculation over his SUCCESSOR
Several weeks ago Chairman McGrath brought
into the organization as the assistant to the
chairman Joseph Lawrence-an associate in
the practice of law with former Assistant At
torney General Joe keenan,. Mr. Lawrence,
who halls from Connecticut, was in the Depart.
ment OF Justice for 10 years before he joined
forces with Mr.. keenan,. In some quarters the
suggestion has been made that perhaps Mr..
Lawrence will take over such of Mr. Sullivan's
duties as may be necessary.
Sullivan Had Wide Powers.
Mr.. Sullivan dynamic go-getter who came
to Washington to become an Assistant POST
master General with the blessing of Ed Kelly
OF Chicago and was selected by former National
Chairman Hannegan for the post he is now
resigning, really was acting chairman as we'll
as executive director for many months last
fall and winter-while Mr.. Hannegan was away
from Washington This meant, among other
things that he was a policy drector-so far as
the national committee was concerned-and
also that he drew down a salary of $4,000
p Chairman McGrath has to determine whether
he wishes to replace Mr.. Sullivan with man
who has SIlch u,Ha No oh,
who happens also to be Senator from Rhode
Island In all probability will be the sole policy
maker for the committee henceforth-after, it
may be expected, consultation with the Presi-
dent What he wants. therefore is a man
with executive ability to take on a large lob
OF ONCE management, man who knows the
Washington scene and can find his way about.
Among the names in the gossip for Sull-
vans place-even though it be modified place,
is James Rowe of Montana, a member of the
Commission on Organization of the Executive
Branch OF the Government, now headed by
former President Hoover. Another is william
Bray. who at one time was former Postmaster
General and National Chairman James A.
Farleys right-hand man and has more recently
been with John r. Steelman, assistant to the
President. A third is former Representative
Aaron Ford of Mississippi. Mr. Ford has been
recommended by number of Southern mem-
bers OF Congress. In some quarters 1t has been
urged that the appointment of Southerner
might be good political move calculated to
soften the hard hearts of the Southerners who
are now demanding Mr.. Truman's scalp.
No Weakening by Truman.
Others do not look at 1t that way. They be-
heve that Mr.. Truman will be much better off
going right along the line he started-that OF
seeking the support OF the liberals who believe
in civil rights" Indeed, there has been no
indication OF any softening Of the Presidents
position. The President has not gone as far
as some of the old Roosevelt New Dealers wish
particularly those represented in the Amer
leans for Democratic Action. But he has done
pretty well. And as his selection for the chair
manship of the Democratic National Commit
tee Mr.. McGrath has shown no weakening
Whatever In the face of demands of Southern
Governors, Senators and Representatives
The ADA, in statement declaring its belief
that Mr.. Truman should not use the powerful
political weapons ne has at his command as
President OF the United States to get himself
nominated, frankly admits that Mr.. Truman
can win the nomination If he insists" But
1t suggests to the President that he must be
aware that the progressive forces within the
Democratic Party-liberal and labor forces that
supported Franklin D. Roosevelt-seek an open
convention where "the will of the party may
honestly govern the choice of candidate"
This Is unkind. Mr.. Truman has gone along
with Roosevelt policies-and has overempha-
sized some of them-to a remarkable degree.
His failure, however, to keep around in places
OF influence all the old Roosevelt officers L.
what is gripping the New Dealers.