Evening star., 1948-11-03
Capital Speeu|ates
On Possible Shifts in
Cabinet, Other Posts

VuUiiICtv VluCI TVSlS
President Truman's spectacular
and surprising victory in a cam
paign waged almost single-handed
brought immediate speculation in
Washington that he will make many
shifts within his administration.
Hardly had word flashed here
that Gov. Dewey had conceded de-
feat than discussion began of pos
sible changes Mr.. Truman will make
In his cabinet and in other high
Federal positions.
The discussion was based on the
view that the President, fighting an
uphill battle all the way, got little
help in the campaign from Demo-
cratic officeholderS who considered
that Mr.. Truman and the party had
no chance of beating Gov. Dewey
and his running mate, Gov. Earl
Warren Of California.
Chief Help From Tobin, Brannan.
Close associates who stood by Mr.
Truman in his campaign were quick
to point out he had won election
without commitments to any one.
This was considered as presaging
perhaps numerous changes in high
administration circles.
Among the cabinet members, Mr..
Truman's chief campaign help came
from Secretary of Labor Tobin and
from Secretary of Agriculture Bran
nan.
Secretary Tobin took himself out
of the race for the Democratic
nomination for Governor of Massa-
chusetts to enter the Truman cab
met on the eve of the election. A
forceful speaker, Mr.. Tobin imme-
diately hit the campaign road in
Mr.. Truman's behalf. He appealed
largely to labor interests and de-
livered many speeches during the
campaign.
Defended Truman Policies.
Mr.. Brannan was made Secretary
of Agriculture when Clinton P
Anderson entered the New Mexico
senatorial race. While he worked
more in the background, he is said
to have done highly effective work
among the agricultural interests
Moreover, he was ever quick to de-
fend the Truman administration
against Republican charges that
Mr.. Truman and his policies, more
than anything else, were responsible
for high prices.
Both these cabinet officers are
figured surely to stay on. In the
same class might be placed Secre-
tary of the Treasury John w
Snyder. Mr.. Snyder, a close friend
Of Mr.. Truman, took no markedly
open part in the campaign but ii
was noted that he and his family
made an 5000 contribution to the
Democratic national campaign fund
"a sum far in excess of other high
officials, according to reports filed
with Congress.
Attorney General Tom c. Clark
plugged for Mr.. Truman's election
in several speeches. He also was
listed as having contributed $500 to
the Democratic war chest.
Krug, Forrestal Doubtful. -
Those whose continuation in the
Cabinet is regarded as doubtful in-
clude Secretary of the Interior
Krug and National Defense Secre-
tary Forrestal.
As the speculation went on, close
associates of Secretary Of State
Marshall said In Paris today that
Gen. Marshall was planning tc
leave the Cabinet in January. This
decision was repeatedly made with.
out regard to the election. Under
secretary of State Robert A. Lovett
also was reported as planning tc
leave.
In the case of Gen. Marshall, the
President might urge him to stay
on. A soldier who accepted a Cab.
met post because he regarded it a.
his duty, Gen. Marshall was not ex-
pected to take part.in the campaign
Many high posts below Cabinet
rank may be overhauled and theil
present occupants replaced as Pres.
ident Truman takes over a four.
year term in his own right and az
undisputed leader of the Demo.
cratic Party working with a Demo.
cratic Congress.