Evening star., 1948-04-25
A Man Who Can Run Stondnq Still
Even 6. 0. P. Aspironts
Hold the Senator in
High Esteem

berg. new chairman of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, has
made the bipartisan American for
eign policy work-just as when the
Republicans were still in the minor
ity in the Senate and House he was
able to initiate such policy.
Senator Vandenberg's service as a
member of the United States dele
CATION to the United Nations Con-
ference in San Francisco, where
the United Nations Charter was
written, was outstanding. The con-
fiderce with which President Roose-
welt relied upon the Senator Is con-
tinued by President Truman. AL
most two years of his life were given
to work with and for the United
Nations. He was out of the country
nearly all of the 1916 political CAM
paign which resulted in his re-elec-
ton to the Senate with majority
of 100000, a record in Michigan.
He did not campaign there at all.
Thinks He's Too Old for Job
Having dealt with Russian Com
munists at first hand in these inter
national conferences and meetings,
Mr.. Vandenberg has better con-
ception of the problem this country
confronts than has-for example
Henry A. Wallace, third-party cam
didate for President this year. Mr..
Vandenberg has worked incessantly
for a firm-though not unfriendly-
policy toward Soviet Russia. 1t has
been his prayer the two countries
may live at peace. He is not, how
ever, a peace-at-any-price man
especially when the price is world
communism.
Those are some of the reasons
why so many persons prefer Sena-
tor Vandenberg as presidential
nominee.
Now for his reasons against be-
coming a candidate. First, he be-
lieves that younger man-he was
64 years old March 22-should head
the American Government. Sec
ond, he is convinced that he has a
job of huge Importance as chairman
of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee and leader of congress
sional thought on foreign affairs, a
Job to which he is devoting all his
time.
President Truman is only a month
and a half younger than Senator
Vandenberg-and he will be the
Democratic nominee for President
unless the Democratic insurrection-
lists are successful in their attacks
upon him. Mr.. Vandenberg, how
ever, has said that there are "age
limits" in this business of being
President and that he thinks the
White House requires a younger
man with greater residence.
Not Another Mans Man
Mr.. Vandenberg has been given
good bill of health by his phy-
sician. He had a heart difficulty
in 1882, but with the use of digitalis,
he has been able to overcome this.
Senator Vandenberg stands we'll
with the candidates who have an
nounced themselves for the Repub-
lican presidential nomination. He
has trod on none of their toes. He
and Gov. Dewey have been friendly
if not intimate. Dewey was born in
Michigan. If he finds he cannot
have the nomination himself, he
might easily agree on Vandenberg.
Former Gov. Stassen of Minnesota
has had only praise for Vandenberg
in his public statements. Nor should
it be difficult for Senator Taft OF
Ohio to look with favor on his col
league in the Senate.
If the nomination passes Senator
Vandenberg by, it will leave no sore
ness. Indeed, it is easy to imagine
him drawing a long sigh of relief.
He is doing a great job where he is,
and is happy in it. He would not,
he says, leave it to become Secretary
of State, even should a President
offer him the position. In the Sen
ate, he is cooperative, but he is
his own man-not another's.
One OF a series of sketches OF
presidential possibilities.