Evening star., 1949-02-12
The Political Mill
Vondenberg's Decision
To Retire Is Regretted
Senator Held Outstanding Voice
Among G. o. P. Colleagues
Bv Gould Lincoln

The determination OF senator Vanuen.
berg, Republican, of Michigan not to be
candidate to succeed himself in 1852, an
nounced before Lincoln Day dinner in
Detroit, is no surprise to some of his col
leagues-but it is matter OF regret. His
has been an outstanding voice on the Re-
publican side of the Senate chamber Tor
years. He has been the chief spokesman and
leader of the Republicans in foreign pollcy.
To him belongs the credit for the blrar.
tisan foreign policy Of the country, permit
ting united American front. In MS ao.
dress at the Detroit dinner he decla, cd
his continued support of this idea. Whlca
is reassuring TO the country and TO the DeLn-
ocratic administration.
His clear-cut call to the Republicans 10
stop "wailing" over the 1948 election re-
turns and achieve party unity, in preca-
ration for the 1850 congressional electicnS
is in line with his usual constructive think
ing. In effect, his advice is for the ultrs<
conservatives within the party ranks to
stop thinking too much of the past and be-
come more progressive, and for the ultra
liberals to calm down and realize the value
of sound conservatism.
Time to Get Down to Cases.
The time has come, however, for the Re-
publicans in Congress to give over gener-
alities and get down to cases. The Truman
for the time being-program. The Re-
publicans can and should let the country
know what part of this program they op-
pose, what part they can support, and what
they have to offer in the way of substitutes,
if any, for proposals they do not approve
or approve only i'll principle. Unless it Is
to be party only of opposition, the Repub-
lican Party must take stand for something.
BY following such course it can put the
country on notice as to what the Republicans
really stand for. True, not all Republic
cans in Congress will be found united on
a number of issues But it should be pos
sible to learn where the majority Of them
stand on all issues It was lack of such
understanding during the recent campaign
that left too many voters cold.
Senator Vandenberg, apparently has seen
the need of definite party stand on a
number Of the issues. He mentioned few
in his speech-among them that of "co-
operative medicine" which Senator Vanden-
berg favors, as opposed to "socialized medi-
cine" which the Truman plan has been la
beled. Gov Dewey of New York. in his
speech here February g. also undertook to
state some of the problems and measures on
which the Republican Party should make its
position wholly clear.
Pressure to Run Again Seen.
On number Of issues the Republican
CongreSS-the 8Oth CongreSS-d1d express
itself. However, it failed to act on many
others. and laid itself open to charges made
by President Truman during his campaign
that it was do-nothing Congress. Now in
the minority, the Republicans in Congress
have chance of defining their position
on these issues.
Doubtless there will be pressure upon Sem
ator Vandenberg, as the end of his present
term draws near, to run again. He has con-
f1ded to friends in the Senate, however. that
he has several books in mind which he
wishes to write, and they are confident he
will stick to his plan to retire-unless there
should be an impelling call, made necessary
by some national emergency. The actual
date of his retirement is almost four years
away. In that period candidates for the
Vandenberg Senate seat will make what
hay they can. Senator Vandenberg has
son. Arthur H. Vandenberg, jr.. who is at
present his main assistant here and has been
for some years. While he has not run for
public Office, the younger Vandenberg has
played a prominent part in campaigns
waged by his father. Also he is highly re-
garded by members Of the Senate. Sons Of
other Senators have succeeded them in the
past-among them former Senator Robert
M. La Toilette, jr.. of Wisconsin: and Henry
Cabot Lodge, grandson Of the late Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge Of Massachusetts,. sits
in the Senate today.