Evening star., 1950-08-27
President Criticized
For Playing Politics
Writer BIumes Administration
For Partisan Muneuyers
By Frank R. Kent


are somewhat aghast at recent reports
that, Mr.. Truman has lost the conf
dence of the people and that Demo-
cratic election prospects have dimin-
iShed. Because he acted so we'll at the
time of the Korean invasion and be-
cause of the general popular desire to
support the President in a foreign war,
they had anticipated the reverse. Now,
they are seeking the reasons.
There are several quite obvious ones
but unquestionably outstanding is that
in time of national peril when belief
that the President has risen above per-
sonal and political considerations is es-
Sential to confidence, there is nothing
whatever upon which to base that be-
lief-Quite the contrary. The cold truth
is that in the past two months while the
people have been deeply distressed by
the bad news from Korea there has
sbeen irrefutable evidence that SO far
from rising above the politics as usual"
level the White House is playing partisan
politics to the clear detriment of the
national interests. This is a rough thing
to say about a President in such a pc
riod, but the facts cannot be denied and
the more fully they are grasped by the
people the sooner, perhaps, the situa-
ton can be changed,
X
The most brazen piece of Truman
politics was the appointment as Ambas-
sador to Mexico of Mayor ODwyer of
New York, thus driving out of the
service distinguished career diplomat
The established facts are these - this
deal was engineered by Eddie Flynn.
boss of the Bronx and Democratic ma
tional committeeman for New York
Besides gratifying Mr. ODwyer's desire
for soft berth outside the country
(for which he is qualified neither by
experience nor ability, this would not
interfere with his liberal New York City
pension, though very difficult to recon-
cile with the moral responsibilities in
herent in his election only last year.
The primary purpose Of the appoint
ment is TO enhance Democratic chances
TO gain control of the New York State
government. A mayoralty election in
November tc fill the place made vacant
by the retirement of Mr.. ODwyer, un-
doubtedly does this by insuring a much
larger vote in heavily Democratic New
York City. Everybody agrees about that.
The Supjne connivance of Mr.. Tru-
man in this unSavory scheme is disap-
pointing to those who hoped to see him
measure up to the standards one has
a right to expect of the leader Of a
great nation in a national crisis. But
this Is not the only instance of politics
as usual in the White House since
the war began. In two other directions.
politics distinctly has influenced the
Truman course. One of these Is in the
matter of rigid economy in non-defense
expenditures. The urgent necessity of
this is not disputed. Mr.. Truman him
self has talked about it several times.
But when it comes to action, he flinches.
Senator Byrd, his own friend, Senator
Douglas of Illinois, and Senator O'Conor
of Maryland, all of whom support him
on every defense request, have pointed
out perfectly practical ways by which
billions can be saved on 'non-essentials
and have pleaded with him to join with
them-or let them join him.
T. r. ~.
To this his response has been feeble
in the extreme. He has made some half
hearted gestures and given economy in
domestic affairs plenty Of kind words.
But there he has stopped. He has ut
terly failed to supply the White House
leadership, without which no real cut
in governmental cost can be made.
The other direction in which politics
seems to prevail is in the presidential
handling Of the vital problems of inf1a-
ton. Months ago Bernard Baruch
pointed out that imitation is the most
dangerous enemy we have. that 1t can
be controlled only through price con-
troll. and price control is impossible un-
less ceilings are placed, among other
things. on wages. Everybody except Mr.
Truman's economic counselors and the
union labor bosses with whom he is
allied agreed about that. Yet. far from
doing anything about controlling wages
Mr.. Truman shrinks just as his prede-
cessor shrank.
Mr.. Roosevelt tried to hold down wages
by entering into voluntary mo strike"
agreement with the labor bosses. This
agreement was violated more than 5000
times during the course of the war. AL
ready strikes are threatened in the auto
mobile industry and another general
wage raise demand is in the works.
Nothing could promote a ruinous inf1a
ton more surely. Mr.. Truman must
know this. but apparently has no in
tention of standing in the way. This
is politics of the kind every citizen has
a right to resent-and Is a fool not to.