Evening star., 1948-12-03
Truman Ends Rumors
On Cabinet Changes;
Stands PAT for Present
By Joseph A. Fox

PreSloenC truman is standing
pat on his cabinet-for the
present.
In an obvious effort to put a
damper on the speculation that has
been stirring since the election, the
President late yesterday told a news
conference that all the cabinet
memberS-particulary Secretary of
State Marshall and Secretary of De-
Tense Forrestal-haye been asked to
remain in the administration, and
all have agreed to do SO.
The same questions asked now
were being raised when he took
Office in 1945, Mr.. Truman con-
tinued. The situation adjusted it
self then, and 1t will now, he said.
Then he added that if. as and when
there are to be shifts, he will an
nounce them.
Changes Likely in Future.
Presidential aides have said that
in the course of four years, changes
in the official family are to be ex-
pected, but that the President would
initiate none. Mr.. Truman,s state
ment seems to reflect the same view
point.
In 1945, Mr.. Truman took office in
April and coasted along until mid
year before making any changes.
The Presidents news conference
yesterday was his first in Washing
ton since the election. He held one
during his Key West vacation.
1t brought out 225 reporters-the
attendance having been exceeded
only at his first conference in 1945
when BAT were present.
Digs at Columnists.
The give-and-take covered wide
range, with politics figuring largely.
The Chief Executive managed to
get in a couple of digs at the
columnists who had figured his
chances against Gov. Dewey as nil.
He also remarked pointedly that
there were a lot Of people on hand
whom he had not seen since mid
September-when the heavy news
coverage was going to Gov. Dewey
and his runningmate, Gov. Warren.
Asked what he felt had been his
greatest campaign asset, the Presi-
dent recalled the support he had
received from Vice President-elect
Barkley, Secretaries Tobin and
Brannon, labor, farmers-in fact,
there was long list of helpers, he
continued.
What about your opponent?"
report asked.
The President said he thought the
New York Governor was his greatest
asset.
Mr.. Truman also jabbed at an
other Dewey - Bradley Dewey, a
member of the Bikini evaluation
board-who, he said, was mistaken
in writing that the White House
was sleeping on a report on the
atomic bomb tests.
Being mistaken, he said, seems
to go with the name.
Asked about reports that he was
hopeful of having the 80 States
Rights electoral votes added to the
Democratic column, Mr.. Truman
said he didn't want those votes.
He is happy. he continued. that he
could win without New York and
the Solid South.
Mr.. Truman repeated that he Is
not angry with anyone as the result
of the campaign, and said he didn't
know that he had anyone or any,
thing to forgive-other than Maine
for not going Democratic.
Says Public Needed Facts.
Once the people got the facts
which they weren't getting from the
columnists-they voted right, he
said.
A reporter asked for comment on
an article by Jay Franklin to the
effect that the election would bring
a change in foreign policy.
That sounded like q columnist.
Mr.. Truman said.
Jay Franklin Is the pen name Of
John Franklin Carter, who was one
of Mr.. Truman's speech-writing
team in the final days Of the cam
paign.
The columnists got another
going over, when the President was
asked about reports" that James j..
Maloney, former Secret Service
head, who has just been made CO.
ordinator of Treasury law-enforce-