Evening star., 1948-06-30
Dissident Democrats
Persist in Move 10
Draft Eisenhower

Dissident Democrats, cropping
around for a candidate. to beat
President Truman, continued today
their attempt to breathe life into
the draft Eisenhower" movement.
South Carolina, Pennsylvania
Nebraska and Wisconsin heard
Eisenhower talk in Democratic cir
cles. In Washington, Leon Hender-
son, former OPA administrator ane
now chairman of Americans fol
Democratic Action, said there is 9
rising tide of sentiment for Gen
Eisenhower to supplant Mr.. Truman
as the party's nominee.
Mr.. Henderson, who held pres!
conference yesterday to air hi
views, told a questioner that despite
his anti Truman stand, he would b.
willing to take second place on
Truman ticket because OF the honor
but he would not expect to bt
elected
Meanwhile. Mr.. Truman was tolc
that he would get Indiana's rs vote!
at the Democratic National Con-
vention at Philadelphia next month
and that prospects for the party!
victory in that State in November
"are very good"
The information came from 1rs
Haymaker, Indianas Democratic
chairman, after White House cal
today.
The State convention Endorsed
former Senator Sam Jackson fol
the vice presidency.
New Leader Takes Over.
The Eisenhower agitation tool
this form:
In Milwaukee, Martin Gedlen, ar
attorney, took over the Leadership
of the draft Eisenhower move
ment. He made unsuccessful ef'
forts Sunday TO have the Wiscon'
sin Democratic Convention go or
record to "beseech" Gen. Eisen'
hover to take the nomination.
In Columbia, S. c., one OF the
hotbeds of the Southern revolt
against the Presidents civil rights
program, Gov. Strom Thurmono
said there is a good chance" that
Gen. Eisenhower will be the Demo
cratic presidential nominee. He re-
peated that the Truman nomina-
ton is certain to insure defeat OF
the party.
In Omaha, William Ritchie, Ne
braska Democratic chairman, who
has bolted the Truman candidacy
said Republican columnlsts and
newspapers are urging the nom-
ination of the President because
they fear Gen. Eisenhower. Mr.
Ritchie, who Just got home after a
trip to Washington and New York
was quoted by the Associated Press
as saying he had conferred with
Democratic leaders and Gen. Eisen-
hover.
Truman Is Indorsed.
In Harrisburg, Pa, the State S
74-vote delegation to the forth
coming National Convention in
dorsed Mr.. Truman, but action was
not unanimous. Chairman John S.
Rice said the resolution of indorse-
ment merely expressed the sentl-
ment of the delegation but does
not bind any delegate in the con-
vention." Pennsylvania will send 6b
delegates with one vote and Is with
half a vote to the convention.
Mr.. Rice said he heard some
Eisenhower sentiment, but he be-
lieves the delegates generally are
Truman men"
At his press conference Mr..
Henderson argued that Mr.. Tru-
mans nomination is in doubt. He
contended the absolute maximum
of Truman-pledged or Instructed
delegates is $40, with 8l6l2 un-
instructed, S11a instructed Tor
favorite sons and 26 yet to be
named in Virginia. The conven-
ton delegates total 1924.
Sees "Open Convention"
The result, he said, is an "open
convention, at which Mr.. Truman
can be cast aside The only trouble
is that neither Gen. Eisenhower nor
Supreme Court Justice Douglas,
whom he also favors is an open
candidate.
Nevertheless. Mr.. Henderson said
he expects the Generals name to
90 before the convention, unless
something drastic intervenes."
Questioned about what he meant,
Mr.. Henderson said he had in MIND
a statement by the General that he
wouldn't run or something equally
conclusive. But, Mr. Henderson
said, he didn't expect any such
statement.
Gen. Eisenhower, the ADA leader
said, would easily beat the Repub-
lican ticket of Gov. Dewey and Gov.
Warren. Justice Douglas, he con-
ceded, would have tougher time. .
President Truman conferred for
5 minutes late yesterday with Daniel
j. Tobin, head of the AFL Teamsters
Union, but the latter refused to
discuss the conversation. Charles
G. Ross, White House press secre-
tary, said the two men had very
pleasant talk about the political
situation.
Mr.. Tobin. in recent campaigns
director of the labor division of the
Democratic National Committee. Is
not going to the national Conven-
ton this year. He has said he is
too busy"
He has said also that the teamsters
will decide their political course
later on.