Evening star., 1948-10-31


farmers a Republican administra-
ton would not scrap the price
support policy.
A Lot Depends on Congress
On wide range of other subjects
Gov. Dewey confined himself to
stating basic principles and objec-
tives. He might have unrolled a set
Of blueprints, showing in detail just
how he would attempt to deal with
imitation, housing, social security
and dozen other subjects.
If Gov. Dewey had chosen that
course, there would have been more
fireworks in the campaign, but he
could hardly have offered any as
surance his blueprints would be car
ried out until control of the new
Congress is determined on election
day-and there is still big question
mark lowering over the makeup of
the Senate.
Regardless of who wins an elec-
tion, the job of carrying out cam
paign pledges becomes a joint un-
dertaking of the President and Con-
gress. In this campaign, the Re-
publicans were able to present the
more united front, because the Tru-
man administration found part of
the usually solid Democratic South
in revolt over States rights and
civil rights.
When it comes to specific remedies
for economic ills, however, the Re-
publicans also have their differences,
even if beneath the surface.
Dewey Keeps Free
Under these circumstances, had
the Republican nominee spelled out
all of the legislative proposals he
may have in mind, he might, as
President six months from now, find
it necessary to alter them materially.
BY taking the broad approach he
remains free to negotiate with Con-
gress-whether it be all Republican
or divided in control-and get the
best settlement he can on each is
sue as it arises. Any one who
watches Congress function at close
range learns that most legislation,
in final form, represents a COM
promise of conflicting views.
Viewed from this standpoint, Gov.
Dewey's course was smart politics. :"
With foreign policy, the situation
was different. Gov Dewey had every
reason to believe that, regardless of
election returns, a majority of both
parties in Congress would continue
to support the basic objectives of
that policy.
Teamwork Theme
So, instead of drawing blueprints
which he might not be able to de-
liver, Gov. Dewey preached a broad
philosophy Of government built
around the theme of national
unity" and teamwork" With the
world still in turmoil from the ef-
fects of World War II and with
peace resting on a shaky founda-
tion, his theme was timely, because,
he argued, the American people
need unity to face grave interna-
tional problems,
Although he did not go out on
many legislative limbs, Gov. Dewey
went pretty far in describing the
kind of a government he would
establish if elected. In doing so,
he gave himself some difficult goals
to shoot at. If he wins, the Demo-
Gratis may be counted on to keep
these promises in mind to see how
he delivers. For example:
He promised an administration
that will work as a team, between
departments, and with Congress.
He said the present administra-
ton had to ask for an appropria-
tion to look for Communists in the
Government service, and added that
he had a better and cheaper plan
to get an administration that
would not appoint Communists in
the first place. If Gov. Dewey wins,
this promise, which he repeated at
nearly every whistle-stop across the
country, will give his personnel Of
ficers something to think about
every day in the year.
Housecleaning Expected
He also promised, in almost every
speech, to begin on January 20 a
thorough ''housecleaning" in WASH
ington. As far as policy making
jobs are concerned, this probably
would be the first promise carried
out, but that always follows a
change in administrations.
1t was to be expected that each
Of the two major parties would
claim it would do the best job of
making that policy effective in
peace.
Thus, Gov. Dewey claimed that
even with the fitch benefits of our
foreign policy, we have
not seen the gains the American
people had-a right to hope for in
these three years since the shooting
war stopped" He blamed this part
ly on "wobbling" by the present ad-
He conceded, how
ever. that many Of the obstacles
we have run into were beyond the