Evening star., 1948-06-27
Dewey Record
TOBe an Asset
Stand on Domestic Issues
Gives Democrats Small
Room for Argument
~ A ~ aorv
By J. A. O'Leory

E. Dewey's record in running tht
biggest State in the Union will play
an important part in the Republi-
can campaign to put him in the
White House next January.
1t is difficult to see how the DEM
ocrats can make foreign policy g
decisive issue. Both the new GOF
platform and the known position OF
its candidate indicate that change
of administration next January
would not weaken the present BIZ
partisan effort to strengthen the
United Nations organization and tc
prevent the spread of communism
by extending American aid to like
minded nations.
1t would be too much to expect
that. in the heat of the campaign,
foreign affairs will be avoided en-
tirely. In fact, Gov. Dewey already
has criticized the handling of inter-
national negotiations by the admin
istration. 1t is safe to assume the
Democrats will not take his criti-
ciSm lying down.
But, as to the basic principle Of
continued American participation in
world affairs, regardless of which
party wins the election, sthere will
be little room for argument.
Domestic Issue Certain
This being so. the Democrats will
have to center their attack on do
meStic iSSues-to try to convince a
majority of the voters that every
day living conditions here at home
will be better with Democratic
administration in power at both
ends of Pennsylvania avenue.
At this point the Republican ora
tors. from Maine to California will
turn to Gov. Dewey's record ir
handling the affairs of New York
during the past five years. to sup
port their claim that their candidate
has demonstrated his ability to give
the whole country a sound and pro-
greSSive Government. incidentally
the record of the Republican-con-
trolled Eiehtieth Congress is bound
to become Exhibit A as counsel for
both parties address the jury OF
l40.000000 people this year.
Fortunately. for the Republicans,
they have picked standard bearer
whose personal record as Governor
of New York is better than the
record of his national party leaders
since they took control of Congress
Is months ago.
EPC~Record
1t is necessary to cite only few
notable comparisons.
l. Congress adjourned a week ago
without taking any action on the
civil rights program. which affects
the large colored vote m such key
States as New York, Pennsylvania,
Illinois and Ohio.
AS Governor of New York, Mr.
Dewey has put through law pro-
tecting workers in their right to
employment without regard to race,
creed or national origin. This cor
responds to the FEPC in the ma
tional civil rights program.
2. Congress adjourned without en-
acting the public housing features of
the Taft -Ellender- Wagner bill, al
thought it passed a skeletonized
housing measure.
Gov. Dewey's supporters will say
that under his guidance, New York
has become the most active of al
the States in the field of Slum
clearance and public housing fol
families of low income He moved
into the State House at Albany in
January, 1884, and by December
l947. the State had lent or con-
tracted to lend s237, 1922, 700 for 3S
public housing projects to provide
homes for almost 10000 persons
In addition, the State will make
cash payments up to s13,O00,000 q
year to maintain rents in the public
housing developments as low as S.
to $3.50 per room per month, in
Guiding hot water. heat, electricity
and gas.
g. Federal aid to education il
another subject still in the discus.
sion status in Congress. In the past
four years. New York State has
increased its aid for education BY
80 per cent.
4. For many years the growing
cost of Government and the large
public debt has been a perennia
campaign issue of Republicans in
their efforts to return to power. Nc
doubt it will be again in l948
But If Gov. Dewey's speeches In
Icna 0T EApv Deoe Col