Evening star., 1949-08-28
McGroth Moves Fast-And Always Up

49, ~ w. ~
Of Knowing What
He Wants
only available method Of coping
with the Districts fiscal plight.
He would prefer to see greatly
increased Federal payment to the
District. He regards this not as
contribution" but as an "obliga-
ton" because of the huge tax-free
Federal property holdings here
He has suggested an incentive
plan whereby the Federal payment
would be 20 cents for every 81
collected in District taxes.
OF all moves Mr.. McGrath has
made none, seemed less likely to
succeed than his acceptance Of the
hot seat at Democratic national
headquarters.
Critics, whether prompted by
partisanship, envy or realism, have
noted how often he got the
breaks" in the last 20 years. They
recall that Ellis Arnall, former
Governor of Georgia. was Presi-
dent Truman's first choice for
Solicitor General in 1945 and that
Senator Anderson of New Mexico
then Secretary of Agriculture
could have had the national chair
manship in 1947.
Succeeded Hannegan
They likewise cite the good
luck" of Mr.. McGrath in easing
gracefully out of the party chair
manship now with another big
fight brewing and when some ele-
ments were cunning for him.
In any event, the clouds were
dark indeed and the political
thunder ominous against the Tru-
man administration when he sue
ceeded Chairman Robert E. Han
negan.
One of his first acts at head
quarters was to persuade his col
leagues to abandon a resolution
condemning the GOP-controlled
8oth Congress for having placed
partisan politics above love OF
country" He sought Republican
cooperation in other ways-at
least until he opened fire in the
presidential election campaign.
Throughout that campaign he
never weakened in his belief that
President Truman would be re-
nominated and reelected.
Offering no apology for being q
party organization man." he in.
sisted time and again that "the
emphasis on our work at head.
quarters will be on Strengthening
and serving the Democratic Party
organization and we shall expect
all our candidates to stand square
ly upon Democratic principles anc
the party platform"
On the Communist issue he ha.
been adamant. He banned Com.
munist support and denounced
any group that allows itself tt
become identified in the public
mind as Communist dominated.
Knows the Country
His stand on civil rights issue.
and programs has paralleled Pres.
| ident Truman's. He has yet tx
disclose his Official attitude. as At.
torney General. on the listing o1
so-called subversive organization.
and on deportation policies affect.
ing aliens allied with unpopular
causes.
He nevertheless differed with
Chairman McCarran and most OF
the Senate Judiciary Committee
for releasing secret testimony last
month concerning alleged Com
munist terrorism" in the United
Nations.
Whatever changes he plans for
the Justice Department, there is
little reason to suppose the Justice
Department will change him. He
brings with him a good knowledge
and understanding of all parts Of
the country, and the benefit of a
European examination" trip
while in the Senate.
His public career and travels
gave him comparatively little op-
portunity for the private practice
of law. He maintained various
business interests, such as presi-
dency Of the First Federal Savings
and Loan Association in Provi-
dence and operation of the j. j.
McGrath & Sons real estate firm
The McGraths and their H.
year-old son David are described
by friends as devoted to home life
and close companionship, whether
at their spacious house at 5100
Thirty-ninth street NV, or in
Providence, or at their Sunny
brook farm near NarraganSett
Pier, r. I.
BY all accounts, they will be in
Washington a long time. At Sen
ate committee hearings on the
nomination of former Attorney
General Clark to the Supreme
Court-a goal frequently ascribed
to Mr.. McGrath-a caustic wit
ness remarked: "At least it is a
consoling thought that Attorneys
General come and 60 with whole
some rapidity."
j. Howard McGrath could afford
to chuckle. He has gone to q lot
of places with almost incredible
rapidity in the last few years. And
he has always gone IN.