Evening star., 1949-01-15
McGroth Won't Quit Post
As Democratic Chairman
Rumors of Being Eased Out Believed
Started by Those Seeking His Job
7ks poinjeoi Am
By Gould Ljncoln

By Gould Lincoln
OF all the Democrats outside Of President
Truman and Vice President-elect Barkley, who
should take pride In the coming "inaugura-
tion" one in particular stands out-Senator
J. Howard McGrath Of Rhode Island, chair
man Of the Democratic National Committee.
Senator McGrath took over command of the
Democratic national organization in the fall
Of 1s47, when the fortunes Of the party and
Of Mr.. Truman were at q low ebb. In the en-
suing months, prospects for victory in le4S
seemed to grow DINNER and DINNER. The
Wallace third-party movement got under way;
the revolt Of Southern Democrats-against !Ir.
Truman and his civil rights program--ccn-
tinued to grow, and, last but not least. tee
Democratic bosses of bg-city organizations
and many Of the old New Deal followers CT
Franklin D. Roosevelt clamored for a new
Democratic candidate for President.
Never Faltersd.
The Rhode Island Senator never faltered
IN his stride. He was polite but firm in dealing
with these various groups of dssident Demo-
Gratis He never backtracked or backed down
in his insistence that Mr.. Truman was to be
the party nominee. He never gave an inch
when he was bombarded by Southerners on the
civil rights program.
Yet today there are constant rumors that
Senator McGrath is to step out of the Demo-
cratic national chairmanship-or he is to DO
eased out. The Senator has no present inten-
tion at all Of giving up the Craftsmanship. Any
idea that President Truman would move to
ease him out is fantastic; it would be entirely
out Of character. The rumors are started,
presumably, by those who would like to take
over the job or their friends. For the national
cha of he tjc Dorf u,hil
the party has full control of the Government.
is a post of tremendous political Importance.
Patronage appointment to jobs in the Federal
Government-clears as rule through the
National Committee.
No meeting Of the Democratic National Com
mittee is in prospect-certainly not for the
present. Eventually the committee will be
called together for a look into the future and
the congressional elections which come up in
1850 In the meantime, the question OF the
membership in the National Committee from
the four Southern States which gave their
electoral votes to Gov Thurmond Of South
Carolina will be ironed out. II the States
Rights Party continues to exist, this should be
an easy matter.
Very Much On the Job.
As Senator and national chairman Mr.. Nc
Grath is in position to keep the Democrats on
Capitol Hill constantly mindful Of the party
pledges made during the recent campaign.
And as Senator he brings to the office of ma
tional chairman an authority which would be
lacking In the case Of a chairman picked from
private life. Further, he has now an intimate
knowledge of the party organization, national.
State and local, which newcomer to the chair
manship would have to acquire, Since he has
a good working organization at national head
quarters, there seems no reason why he should
not be able to perform his full legislative
duties while holding down the chairmanship
Indeed, an examination of the records last
year-the campaign year when much time was
demanded of the chairman-indicates that
Senator McGrath was very much on the job
when the Senate was in session.
It is not new for Democratic national chair
manor Republican national chairman, for
that matter-to hold high elective or appointive
office. Jim" Farley functioned as both Post
master General and national chairman for the
first eight years OF the Roosevelt administra-
ton. Frank Walker, another Postmaster Gen.
eral, was national chairman, under Roosevelt.
Representative Martin of Massachusetts, head
ed the Republican National Committee both
during the Wjllkie campaign of 1914 and later:
and the present head of the COP COMMITTEES
is Representative Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania,
who also has no intention Of resigning his
Craftsmanship.