Evening star., 1949-07-30
Chance Of Untang|ing
Z Party Rows Seen if
McGrath Takes Post

make Senator McGrath Of Rhode
Island his Attorney General
served today to stir some political
discussion involving the fortunes
of the Democratic Party.
If, as expected. the Democratic
national chairman accepts tho
Presidents offer. friends said he
may have a chance to straighten
out two mixups involving court
appointments in which the Attor-
ney General custonarily has q
large say.
If MIR. McGrath goes to the
cabinet, he could be expected to
relinquish the committee chair
manship. This would confront
leaders with the cherries prospect
of opening old party wounds
should the committee be called to
name a new chairman, because
there are two active factions in
Alabama. Mississippi, South Car
olina and Louisiana, which swung
into the States rights column over
the civil rights issue last year.
Switzer Appointment Involved.
The job controversy involves
President Truman's appointment
of Carroll o. Switzer to be Fed
eral judge in Iowa, and the Presi-
dents failure to act on the ap.
pointment Of j. P. Coleman to be
a district attorney in Mississippi.
which has been recommended by
Senator Stennis, Democrat, Of
Mississippi.
Senator Gillette. Democrat, Of
Iowa. is fighting the Switzer ap-
pointment, and as q consequence
the nomination has been shelved
by Chairman McCarran Of the Ju-
dietary Committee.
Friends believe that, as Attor-
ney General, Mr.. McGrath might
recommend that the nomination
be withdrawn as peace gesture
to Senator Gillette, to avoid trou-
BILE in the congressional elections
next year.
In the Mississippi case, Senator
McGrath has supported Senator
Stennis' candidate, despite the
fact that the Senator was a States
Rights supporter. Senator STEM
mis- did not, however, attack Presi-
dent Truman. Some think that as
a cabinet member. Senator Nc
Grath's views might carry more
weight than seemingly they have
heretofore in this matter.
Showdown Possible.
Party leaders agree that prob
lem would be raised If it becomes
necessary to summon the Ma
tional Committee to name new
chairman, but they said that this
would be met when the time
comes.
In the four States in the States
Rights column there are still legal
members of the National Commit
tee. At the same time. pro-Tru-
NANTES have organized and are
calling for recognition.
There is q possibility that both
factions would be brought into
session to force a showdown on
whether to replace members who
lined up with the States Fighters.
Senator McGrath Is at his Rhode
Island home over the week end.
conferring with State Democrats
on the cabinet offer, and is ex-
pected to give his answer to Presi-
dent Truman when he returns. It
is expected he will take the post.
Attorney General Clark, who
has delayed his acceptance, pre-
sumably waiting on Senator Nc.
Grath.
Couldn't Receive Pay Boost.
If the Rhode Island Senator
accepts the cabinet offer he will
not be able to receive the pros
pective salary increase Of from
SIS, 900 to $25 900 for cabinet Of
flcers. His term runs through
1852, and the Constitution pro-
hibits a member Of Congress from
taking any position created or
ranked higher in the salary scale.
during the period for which he
was elected.
Mr.. Clark's elevation to the
Supreme Court succeeding the
late Justice Frank Murphy also
will pose it's problems.
AS Attorney General he has
been connected with much litiga-
ton which eventually will find its
way to the Supreme Court. Under
such circumstances, he could be
expected to refrain from partici-
patton when these cases come be-
fore the high tribunal. Important
antitrust and espionage actions
are involved.