Evening star., 1950-08-22
Political Horse Sense
Test Faces Truman
As Result Of War
Porty Defect Seen Unless
He Asks Aeheson and
Johnson to Step Aside
By David Laurence

Johnson to Step Aside
By David Laurence &
President Truman has a good
deal of horse sense-and a lot OF
political sense. Often the two
amount to the same thing. But
sometimes wishful thinking. on
the one hand. or the necessity for
choosing an unpalatable course in
politics, on the other. impairs po-
litical judgment and doesn't give
horse sense any chance to func-
ton at all.
The test of these two influences
In the exercise of political power
is today before Mr.. Truman as a
consequence of the impact that
the Korean war has had on the
national political situation.
II the elections in Congress
were held tomorrow. both Houses
would go Republican by an over
whelming majority. This would
happen because experience with
emotional issues in politics is that
they transcend even economic
contentment or material we'll
being or class issues, such as labor
versus anti-labor.
Normally, this would be sue
cessful year for the Democrats
because the material factors have
turned in their favor and employ
ment at high wages has prevailed
instead Of depression.
Other Issues Secondary.
But experience in politics proves
that once the people become pref
udiced against an administration
national. state or local-as in
competent in any matter as i'm
portant as life and death for their
sons. then all other issues become
secondary.
Today the national view is that
the Truman Administration has
bungled the defense program, that
$50 billion have been spent in the
last four years with very little to
show for 1t. and that the Far
Eastern policy has been bad, be-
cause in January it was an
nounced that Korea would not be
defended and then in June it was
decided to defend it without hav-
ing mobilized the men or equip
ment to do the job.
However unpalatable it may be
to Mr.. Truman. his party faces
defeat unless the President pulls
the Democratic Congressman ane
Senators out Of the hole.
Members Of Congress privately
are discussing this dilemma ane
quite naturally they think public
opinion would swing behind tn,
President if he'got some new face.
In his Cabinet and in the Unitec
States Joint Chiefs of Staff.
There are some observers inside
the administration who think some
good news from Korea between
now and November will turn the
tide. but no bigger mistake in
political calculation could be made
at this time. sTs -&4A o44s g..
81 Basical1y the American people
hold the administration RESPONSE
Bile for the debacle in Korea--and
debacle it will continue to be, no
matter If the victory is achieved
in two months or six.
Only Way Out.
The only way out for Mr.. Tru-
man is to ask the officials who
were in office when the debacle
occurred to step aside. II lis what
would happen in a parli. mentary
government. It is what has hap
pened again and again in much
less serious episodes in American
history.
II Mr.. Truman were to appoint
for example, Chief Justice Vinsor
to the Secretaryship of State anc
appoint Dean Acheson to the Su.
preme Court, and If Robert Jack.
son were then appointed Chic.
Justice, the country would sa!
that Mr.. Acheson, as an individual
had been approved and his ex
traordinary legal talents recognized
and that Mr.. Vinson had been en-
trusted with the important pos
that Mr.. Truman must have hat
in mind for some subsequent oc
casion when in 1948 he talked O
sending Mr.. vinson to Moscow TO
q negotiating mission.
II the President were to appoin
Gordon Gray, former Secretary o
the Army, to be Secretary of De
tense. and If Louis johnson wer
to be appointed Ambassador II
Great Britain, 1t would again b.
q sign of approval of persona
worth but it would be a change il
responsibility for policy-making IL
the defense establishment.
II the President were to sent
General Bradley to Europe to heat
up the inter-a allied mission in con
nection with the North Atlantic
pact and brought in Genera
Eisenhower to be chairman of tn,
United States Joint Chiefs of Staff
the Nation would again applaud
Many reservist is being torn from
his civilian pursuits and profes
sional opportunities to serv
America today on the military side
and General Eisenhower woul,
certainly respond to the call an,
give up his work for a year or s.
as President of Columbia Univer
sity to serve his country in
period of great crisis.
If these moves were made 70
the good of the country, the