Evening star., 1948-12-16
The Political Mill
COP. Policy Conference
Could Help Party Unity

Gould Help Purty Unity
Chairman SCOTS Proposal Regarded
Both With Enthusiasm and Suspicion
By Gould Lincoln
The Republican Policy Conference" proposed
by Republican National Chairman Hugh Scott,
could do real job, If it ever materializes. In
the first place, it could do much for party unity
which is now threatened. In the second, it
could write a constructive program, dealing
with major issues. More important, such
conference could make first stab at con-
vincing the general run Of the mine Americans
that the COP is their friend, not their enemy.
And 1t could draw real issue with the Tru.
man Democrats-the issue of Big Government.
which threatens in the end to overshadow all
others.
Mr.. SCOTS proposal, however, has 80 far
met mixed reactions. In some quarters ap.
proval has been enthusiastic. In others the
project is regarded with suspicion-that 1t may
be move designed to keep Mr.. Scott in Office
as national chairman. Now Mr.. Scott def.
nitely intends to hold on to the national
Craftsmanship. He will fight any effort to
tear him loose, and has so stated. In still
other quarters, the comment is made that
the Republican members of Congress should
and Will take care of the Republican program
from now until the 1916 congressional elections
AS the elected representatives Of the party.
Fourth Term in House.
Chairman Scott is himself Republican
member Of Congress-from Pennsylvania, the
State which gave Gov. Dewey his largest
plurality over President Truman He has
just been reelected for fourth term in the
House. Those Republicans who believe that
matt wal 1I1i~.
time job may insist that Mr.. Scott should
resign from the House, if he is to stay on as
chairman. Mr.. Scott, however, has shown no
desire to relinquish his House seat.
There really is no reason why national
political chairman should be ineligible If he is
member Of Congress. There have been a
number Of members of Congress who have held
such chairmanships indeed, there is shining
example right now, Senator McGrath of Rhode
Island Democratic national chairman, who has
announced he has no intention Of giving up
his Craftsmanship. Speaker Joe" Martin Of
Massachusetts, was Republican leader of the
House and national chairman, when Wendell
Willkie was Republican candidate for Presi-
dent, and for some time after that lost CAM
paign.
Mr.. Scott has been assured by large number
Of the national committee members they will
stand by him If any attempt is made to oust
him from the chairmanship. At the same time
Mr.. Scott's opponents claim they have much
strength. One reason they advance for elirni-
mating Mr.. Scott as national chairman is that
they wish to give the party new face"-and
that it can best be done by choosing a new
national chairman. To this Mr. Scott replies
that his is new face"-newer than any mem
ber of the committee, and that he has been
ale al forf NJ ipfa He IN
the term.
The proposed conference of Republicans
would be, in effect, a miniature Republican
national convention AS Mr.. Scott sees it, it
would include in addition to members Of the
National Committee Republican Governors Of
States, Republican leaders in Congress, Re-
publican State chairmen and vice chairmen,
former candidates for high political office and
a sizable block of other prominent Republicans.
One Of the things which will have to be set
tied is Just how this representation is to be
drawn from the States
Declaration Of Principles.
The Republican Party, of course, already has
. declaration of principles and program
written into the 1s4s national platform at the
national convention In Philadelphia The
platform never has been used-except for Re-
publican candidates to stand on in the recent
cate that some other declaration Is necessary.
new declaration might help to chart Re-
publican course in the light Of the Truman
proposals to Congress, after the President has
submitted his program. A policy conference
would give party leaders and workers chance
to give their own ideas of the future Of the
COP Undoubtedly, Chairman Scott had
opportunity to talk with many of the party's
great and near-great over the last week end,
when they gathered here for the Gridiron Club
winter dinner. In addition to Gov. Dewey,
attending the dinner were former Gov. ALI
Landon of Kansas, 1886 standard bearer Presi-
dent Stassen of the University of Pennsylvania,
Speaker Martin and Majority Leader Halleck
of the House Gov. Dewey might well use the
conference as an occasion to express his own
viewsit is understood that he believes the
party should really be given new look, with
new leadership
Before the 1946 Republican victory in the
congressional elections, the Republicans in
Congress wrote declaration of principles.
which appeared to serve them well. Also, the
Mackinac Island conference Of Republicans.
attended by Republican Governors, leaders In
Congress and members of the National Com
mittee, laid new course for the G. o. p in
foreign policy. There is, therefore, good prece-
dent for the projected conference.