Evening star., 1949-08-23
The Political Mill
Dewey's Offer to Hoover
Of Senute'Seut Revealed
Ex.President RECOGNIZED Courtesy
of Governor But Declined
Bv Gould Lincoln


The Senate has just missed having q
former President of the United States as its
newest member. Gov. Dewey of New York,
confronted with the task of appointing a
Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Senator Wagner, offered the
job to former President Herbert Hoover.
Mr.. Hoover, while recognizing the courtesy
of the New York Governor. declined. 1t was
understood that the appointment offered by
Gov. Dewey was to fill the vacancy only until
an election should be held next November.
Had the appointment been for full ses-
sion of Congress, the former President might
have accepted. it is said. believing he might
have helped to put through the reorganiza-
ton of the Government, recommended by
the Hoover Commission. But since, at most,
Mr.. Hoover could have expected to be
Senator for only two or three months, there
appeared no possibility of accomplishing, in
that time, the big task.
Precedent for Move.
One Of two Presidents Of the United States
ever to serve in Congress after retiring from
the White House (the other was Andrew
Johnson was John Quincy Adams who
was elected to the House-and made
more of hit as a member OF that body than
he ever did as President Another former
President who filled high governmental
was the late William Howard Taft. father
of Senator Robert A. Taft. MIR. Taft was
appointed Chief Justice of the United States
by the late President Harding.
Mr.. Hoover expressed astoniShment that
Gov. Dewey considered offering him the
appointment to the Senate, especially as he
is a legal resident of California. Mr.. Hoover
for years, however, has occupied an apart
ment in the tower of the Waldorf Astoria
Hotel in New York City. Further. Gov.
Dewey insisted there was nothing in law
to prevent his appointing the former Presi-
dent to represent New York in the Senate.
For years proposals have been made that
former Presidents be made members Of the
Senate-Without a vote but with all the
other privileges of the Senate. In support
of the proposal it is urged that former
Presidents, thoroughly acquainted with the
working of the executive branch Of the Gov
ernment and with the problems which neces-
sarily confront the country. would be Of
great service, even if only in an advisory
capacity. Nothing tangible has ever been
done about it, however.
Dulles Work Hailed.
Gov. Dewey appointed Senator John
Foster Dulles to fill the Wagner vacancy.
and Mr.. Dulles has performed his task bril-
liantly. So much so that he is being pressed
seat he now occupies IN the Senate and to
make the race next November. New York
Republican leaders do not hesitate to say
that Senator Dulles would have an excellent
chance to win. Mr.. Dulles has SO far re-
sisted appeals made to him. without actually
closing the door. The nomination will be
made in September by the Republican State
Committee.
Former Gov. Herbert Lehman Of New York
may have the Democratic nomination for
the Senate If he will accept it. Strong efforts
are being made to prevail on him to make
another try for the Senate-he was de-
feated in 1916 when he ran against Senator
Ives, Republican. -. .s<-l
The American Labor Party of New York.
which has selected Representative Marc
antonio as its candidate for Mayor Of New
York. has been trying to get Henry Wallace.
former Vice President and for years resi-
dent of Iowa. to accept nomination for the
Senate Mr.. Wallace now owns farm in
New York and Is resident of the Empire
State.