Evening star., 1948-10-17

successfully as Governor Of New y
Legislature.
Ever since he restored Republican
rule to the Empire State in January
1943, Gov. Dewey has sought to get
along with his Lawmakers in Albany
by having the leaders of the Assem-
bly, and State Senate dine with him
at the Executive Mansion every Sun
day evening while the Legislature Is
in session.
But the dinner is only the begin
ming of the evening. After the
crumbs have been brushed away the
Governor and his legislative floor
managers settle back and lay their
troubles on the table for full and
free discussion.
Teamwork Idea Not New
Perhaps the two branches have
not seen eye to eye during the past
week on some proposal the State
administration has committed itself
to put through. If so, the spokes-
men for both bodies air their views
and try to reach a common ground
Sometimes it takes far into the night
to find a happy medium.
There is nothing new or revolu-
tionary about the Dewey idea OF
teamwork, as practiced in Albany
It is an elementary principle Of men
getting along with each other in any
kind of organization by the simple
process of laying their cards on the
table and opening their minds to
hear and consider the other fellow S
point of view.
Veteran newsmen who have COW
cred the Washington political scene
for many years have no illusions,
however, that the Sunday night
huddle will work as well or as often
on the national level as 1t has in
New York State.
In Washington. Gov. Dewey will
find that the problems confronting
the White House and the Congress
cover such q wide range of conflict
ing interests that compromises will
be far more difficult to work out In
many cases.
True, q State as big as New York
has its rural and its urban sectors;
its industrial, agricultural and labor
segments. But in Washington there
are wheels within wheels.
The South has its eyes focused
On cotton, tobacco and States rights.
Huddles May Be Complicated
The Midwest thinks wheat, corn
and livestock are the life-blood of
the Nation.
The Far West has its heart set
on big irrigation and power dams,
grazing lands, oil and other mineral
resources.
The industrial East Is concerned
with the problems Of mass produc-
ton and the solution Of labor dis
putes.
And, overall, there Is the para
mount question of foreign policy
and national defense.
Fortunately, the development of a
high degree OF unity on bipartisan
ship foreign policy will ease the
path of the President, whoever he
may be, for the next four years.
But, when it comes to mapping out
q domestical Federal budget salts
factory to all of the widely scattered
geographical areas from Maine to
California and from Florida to the
Pacific Northwest, Gov. Dewey, if
elected, will find his huddles more
complicated.
During the sixteen years of DEM
ocratic control it has been CUSTOM
ary for the Democratic leaders to
call at the White House on Mon
day mornings for a review of the
legislative program of the week.
The Sunday evening meetings in
Albany, however, make possible a
more thorough threshing out of the
problems of the hour.
Individualists to Cope With
Gov. Dewey, as President, would
find another factor making the road
to harmony a rougher highway than
he has been traversing in Albany.
There are more rugged individual
lists in Congress at any given time
than are to be found in O State
Legislature. Senators and Repre-
sentatives from remotels distant
parts of the land feel that they owe
a responsibility to the sections
from which they hail, as well as to
the national party organization.
In the present Congress, there are
men In both major parties whose
views are not easy to reconcile on
major domestic issues of the day.
If Gov. Dewey comes to Washing
ton some Of these men undoubtedly
will feel that their long years OF
experience on the national scene
entities their judgment to extra
weight.
Take Senator Taft, Republican, OF
Ohio as an interesting case fol
speculation. On the domestic front
he is the strong man on his side OF
the aisle. PoSsessor of a keen, ana
lytical mind, he studies all mai
pending legislation in minute detail
He has the courage of his convic-
tions and speaks his mind fearlessly
He Is not unbending in his attitude
when concessions become necessary
but in any round-table discussion oi
o pending bill, those who would
debate 1t with him had better know
their subject when they start.
Senators Morse of Oregon and
Tobey Of New Hampshire are other
examples Of men on the Republican