Evening star., 1949-05-23
Worry Over Inirigues
Called Chief Factor in
Death OF ForestaI
Writer Says He Broke
When He Suspected
A Loss of Confidence
By David Laurence

The vicious rules of present. day
politics In America killed a great
public servant-James Forrestal
For here was a young man who
had made success in private
business-investment banking
and who came to the Government
anxious to give the best years OF
his life to the service of his coun-
try. AS wartime Secretary OF the
Navy under President Roosevelt
he performed his duties with truly
heroic zeal. He co-ordinated the
greatest naval organization In
world history.
When James Forrestal became
Secretary of Defense under Presi-
dent Truman, his appointment
had been urged by all three armed
services as the man who, If any,
body could. would make progress
toward unification. 1t wasn't this
task which killed him. He had
zest for the work and would
gradually have achieved his goal.
1t was loss of confidence in him
by the President which broke
down Jim Forrestal's nerves and
frustrated his whole career.
The inside story goes back to
last summer when the political
campaign was on. James For
restal believed that as Secretary
of Defense he should not partici-
pate in the presidential campaign.
He held this view as keenly as did
Gen. Marshall, who was then Sec
retary of State. No speeches.
therefore, were made by either
Secretary during the campaign
that could in any way be related
to politics.
During this summer and autumn
period, Secretary Forrestal felt
that. just as the Secretary of State
had kept Gov. Dewey informed
about the bipartisan foreign pol
icy through John Foster Dulles, so
also should the Republican nomi-
nee be kept informed about what
was happening in the Department
of Defense. At that time there was
a theory prevalent that the Rus
slams might take advantage of the
period between election and in
auguration to try a military move
of expansion. Some military OBJ
servers even thought of possible
sudden attack by Russia. Since 1t
seemed certain to so many people
that Gov. Dewey would be elected.
Mr.. Forrestal's precautions were
in the highest interest of his coun-
try.
Gossip Involved.
But, as it turned out. this was
resented. 1t is not known whether
President Truman made a point
of 1t, but insiders on the Truman
side Immediately after election
began to hand out gossip stories
emphasizing the episode as an ex-
ample of disloyalty to Mr.. Tru-
man. To this was added the ca
nard that Mr.. Forrestal had con-
tributed to the Dewey campaign
fund. When this was refuted. the
gossip changed to charges that
that Mr.. Forrestal had refused
to contribute to the Truman cam
paign fund.
Coincidentally, the friends OF
Louis johnson began to boom hlm
for Secretary of Defense. In a
p1blic speech. Mr.. Truman paid
tribute to Mr.. Johnson's services
as a money raiser. The word was
passed out that Mr.. johnson was
in line to be chosen Secretary OF
Defense.
Mr., Forrestal was perturbed. He
did not see why he was being at
tackled so bitterly unless it was the
usual scheme of politicians to
needle a man into resigning volun-
tarily so he wouldn't have to be
asked to resign. He was quite will
ing to resign. He wanted, however,
a clarification of his position and
a graceful exit.
He waited for weeks but no word
came from President Truman.
Finally, unable to stand the strain
any longer, Mr.. Forrestal asked for
a chance to talk with Mr.. Truman
at Key West. He few down there
expecting to have an opportunity
to get his status clarified. But Mr..
Truman didn't see him privately.
He always had other people pres
ent. 1t was mentioned to the press
pointedly afterward that Mr.. Tru-
man had not seen Mr.. Forrestal
alone. The idea seemed to be to
make it clear that Mr.. Forrestal
was not in favor. 1t is kind OF
humiliation not infrequently prac-
ticed in high places
Asked About Contribution.
This correspondent asked Mr..
Forrestal last November if he had
or had not helped on the financial
side of the Truman campaign. He
said he had done so indirectly and
that it was not his custom to
make direct contributions. He i'm
piled that he had, however, per-
suaded friends to contribute on the
Truman side.
When this correspondent asked
him also If failure to contribute
or to match the financing work
done by Louis johnson had
brought the secretary into dis
favor he was at first noncommittal.
Then when it was explained to
him that an article was in prepar-
alton on this very subject for one
of these dispatches. he begged
that nothing be said at that time
as he had hoped to have a con-
ference with the President.
Mr.. Forrestal, however, added
rather prophetically:
You might want to return to
that same theme a little later"
Among his close friends. 1t is
known that he really wanted to
leave the Government service. He
had told this correspondent in the
summer of 1948 that If Gov.
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