Evening star., 1950-04-09

back hostile Democrats. rebellious
DiXiecratS, the left-wing Wallace
ties and the Republican Party,
and re-entered the White House
as his own man.
That was the day that the new
Truman confidence was born.
But the Truman troubles were
far from over. He never had been
able TO count on party support
on domestic issues. and he dis
covered that he still could not.
In the foreign field he had done
all right, even in the two years
of that awful S0th Congress"
when the Republicans were in
control.
But right here it might be
said that if it had not been for
the Presidents good right arm
Senator Vandenberg, Republican,
Of Michigan. it is not too certain
what sort of a record would have
been written in that direction.
either. In lean days and fat. the
senior Michigan Senator. as
leader Of the powerful Senate
Foreign Relations Committee.
stuck to Harry" as he always
addresses his old friend. and lack
ing this aid there is no telling
what would have happened to the
Presidents efforts to grapple with
international problems.
Rebuffed by Congress
And it can be said on the best
Of authority that President Tru-
man feels his greatest accomplish
ments in five years have come In
his efforts to build a foreign
policy that would win the cold
war" with Russia by binding the
free and democratic nations to-
gether to act in concert.
Since taking Office, both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans. in their
shifting control of Congress, have
given him but q fraction Of what
he has asked. Right after the
end OF the war with Japan. when
the President sought to blueprint
a plan for conversion to peace
time economy, this bouncing
around started, and it has con-
tinued unremittingly.
The President has sustained his
most resounding defeats In his
campaign to repeal the Taft
Hartley labor law. and substitute
a measure more to his own-and
labor'S-liking and his equally
vigorous drive for a civil rights
program Incorporating provision
for a Fair Employment Practices
Commission to prevent discrimi-
nation against members Of minor
ity groups seeking work.
1t is conceded by Democratic
leadership right now that until
there Is marked change in the
complexion Of Congress. these is
sues are dead ducks.
Rebuffs also have met his pro-
posals for a compulsory health in
Surance program. and a new agri-
cultural law-and no one sees a
chance for these either.
There have been some lesser
setbacks, too, on such items as
housing, social security extension,
and new taxation to take up the
slack caused by the rich mans
tax law" passed by the 80th Con-
greSs.
Some Accomplishments
The President also has had
some important nominations
turned down. either by outright
rejection or suppression In COM
mittee.
On the credit side, there has
been such national legislation en-
acted as reorganization of the de-
fense establishment, and overall
government reorganization. The
President also has gotten some
housing legislation. and an in
crease Of minimum wages In in
dustry.
AS for Mr.. Truman's own fu-
ture when 1852 rolls around, it
can be taken for granted that II
his health stays good-and he's
an iron man" If ever there was
one-that he'll be an unopposed
candidate for denomination, and
once that matter is disposed Of.
the Republicans can look for the
same "give-'em-hell' tactics that
characterized his l948 race. Some
Democrats might have notion
of seeking the nomination them
selves, but the President proved
in 1948. in the face Of terrific OPP
position. that a President carries
too much weight to be thrown out
by his own party If he chooses to
fight.
Now, his party fences are in
good order; the big city bosses
who wanted anybody but Truman
in 1948 have been put in their
places, and he is Just about 1-l00
to get the nod from the next ma
tional convention.
Meantime, the President goes
about his daily work with the
same intensity that has marked
his five years in Office. Ordinarily
he is up at 6 in the morning.
takes his walk. has breakfast
and is as his desk early. Gus
tomarily he gets to bed between
10 and IL. and often takes re-
ports or some other documents to
bed with him to work on until
sleep comes.
Often he Is In the company Of
Chief Justice Fred M Vinson or
Vice President Barkley in whose
judgment he has great confidence.
But the so-called Missouri
Gang" of old friends from home.
SO often and bitterly attacked by
Truman opponents. still are the
bright satellites of the White