Evening star., 1948-05-09

!
: Recovered Well After
Losing 1914 Race
to Roosevelt
plans were made for the United
Nations Conference In San Fran
cisco, which was to lead to the.
formation Of the new international
organization for peace. Dewey today
is thoroughly informed on interna-
tional problems and conditions
through contact with Mr.. Dulles. a
delegate to the United Nations. In
his own pronouncements he has
favored strong cooperation between
the United States and the western
democracies. He has voiced con-
demnation Of the aggressive tactics
of Communist Russia.
AS Governor of New York, Mr..
Dewey has been able to surround
himself with able helpers. His pur-
pose was to find $4,000 -dollar-a-
year men to take $4,000 or $4,000
jobs. He has been remarkably sue
cessful in this undertaking. While
he has brought economy and lack
of waste in the State government,
he has at the same time improved
State institutions vastly, particu-
larly those for the insane and for
|tuberculous patients. He has recon-
mended and obtained several in
creases in pay for State employees to
meet the rising cost of living.
Recognizing the danger involved in
any strike against government, he
was instrumental in having passed
a law outlawing such strikes.
With the housing shortage acute
in New York, Gov. Dewey backed a
State law for rent control-on the
chance that the Federal law might
be allowed to expire. Other States
rushed to copy New York.
Mr.. Dewey's success in dealing
with the legislative branch of the
State government-in which his
party has had a constant majority
has been remarkable. Indeed, he
has set an example which might be
followed with great benefit to the
American people by the Chief
Executive In Washington, whoever
that might be. His plan Of opera
ton has included weekly confer
ences at the Governors mansion in
Albany at which the Republican
legislative leaders and his own
principal executive and political
aides discussed with him the prob
lens which pressed for considera-
ton.
Unjust Accusation
An agenda is prepared for con-
sideration-an agenda which is
added to when new issues arise.
The rule is that unanimous agree
ment must be reached, after thor
ough discussion, before any course
Of action is determined. If agree
ment is not reached, that particular
item on the agenda is passed over
for future consideration.
Because of the smooth working
of this plan Mr.. Dewey has been
accused sometimes of being "dic-
tator." This is unjust. The Gov
ernor has retreated on occasion
from his original position at these
conferences, when convinced that
he has backed the wrong course.
Frequently compromises have been
the only possible solution to obtain
unanimous agreement. But once
course of action or legislative
proposal has received approval, the
whole power of the Governor and
the legislative leaders has been
brought to bear to carry it through.
Should Mr.. Dewey become Presi-
dent, undoubtedly some similar
plan of working with the Repub-
lican leadership and chairmen OF
the important committees in Con-
gress would be undertaken. And,
undoubtedly, such plan would
work for better government-in a
period when unity of purpose and
action is greatly needed.
The next President of the United
States, if he is a Republican, will
find on his doorstep an enormous
cleanup job. Mr.. Dewey is fully
capable of handling it. He started
his career of public service as
prosecutor of rackets in New York
City. He went further and coupled
the racketeers with corrupt Tam
many politicians and leaders. His
service to the millions of New York
ers was recognized throughout the
country. 1t would be strange that
If, in the short space Of 10 years,
this has been forgotten.