Evening star., 1951-10-16
Boyle First Of 'Cronies'
Of Truman Set to Quit
Real Regret Expressed by Many
On Party Leaders Move
The Political Mil
By Gould Lincoln

When William M. Boyle, jr., Of Mis-
souri, announced his intention Of resign
ing the craftsmanship Of the Democratic
National Committee he became the first
Of the so-called "cronies" of President
Truman-who have been under fire
to take himself out Of the Washington
picture. The Vaughans, the Dawsons,
ETC., remain on in their jobs close to
the President.
The Craftsmanship of the Democratic
National Committee is not Government
job, but the man who holds it-while
q Democratic President remains in the
White House-is big figure in the ad-
ministration. He is the chief political
lieutenant Of the President-who Is titu-
lar and actual head Of the party. Ap-
pointments to Federal Office are gener-
ally cleared through the national COM
mittee and its chairman. And because
Of the chairman's control of patronage"
his influence with the Government agen-
cies and departments is enormous-n
and when he chooses to exert it. He
also Is responsible-to the President
for the proper conduct of the partys
national organization.
4NW Ouk PIAoC UH
Frankly. the resignation of Mr.. Boyle
came as no surprise to Democrats on
Capitol Hill, except that it came earlier
than they thought 1t would. Some of
them believed he should have waited
until the Hoey committee, which has
been investigating the charges Of use
of political influence by Mr.. Boyle in
connection with RFC loans, had made
its report. That committee now is PLAN
ming to delve deeper into Mr.. Boyle's
activities sand one Republican member,
Senator Nixon of California, insists that
new revelations will make past charges
of big fees obtained by Mr.. Boyle fade
into insignihcance.
And frankly, real regret is expressed
by many Senators and Representatives
that Mr.. Boyle has found it necessary to
resign. Unquestionably, Mr.. Boyle has
made many strong personal friends.
people who really like him. 1t is no
joke, too, that his health-which he
gave as the reason for resigning-or
lack of it, has given Mr.. Boyle concern.
Mr.. Boyle is stepping out Of his i'm
portant political post at time when
the national campaign of 1852 is in the
making. He was President Truman's
choice for chairman, when Attorney
General J. Howard McGrath gave up
the office to enter the cabinet. Mr..
McGrath was Senator from Rhode Is
land while he held the national chair
manship.
Whether the President, for q new
national chairman, will turn to con-
geSSional ranks or his cabinet mem
bership, or to some one outside the Gov
ernment circle, remains to be seen. One
Of the tough spots which the new chair
man will face is the South. Mr. Boyle
and his predecessor, the Attorney Gen
eral. had little luck with the Southern
Democrats. They were not able to sell
President Truman to them-though
they tried desperately to do so. AS one
Southern Democratic Senator put it:
"The only thing a new national chair
man could do which would make him
solid with the South would be to tell
President Truman not to run again."
Mentioned for Post.
The two members of the cabinet who
have been mentioned in connection with
the Democratic National Craftsmanship
are Secretary of Labor Tobin, who halls
from Massachusetts,, and Secretary Of
the Interior Chapman, from Colorado.
Two Senators mentioned are Clements
Of Kentucky-who might fit in very
well If the Democrats are going to run
Chief Justice Vinson, also of Kentucky.
for President next year-and Anderson
of New Mexico. A former Senator.
Myers of Pennsylvania, would be a
popular choice on Capitol Hill, and it is
said he might get along better with the
Southerners than most other possible
selections. Still another possibility" is
John Sullivan, former Secretary of the
Navy, who came to Washington from
New Hampshire.
Mr.. Boyle has been drawing down q
salary of 5000 as national chairman
If cabinet Office took on the chair
manship, he could not have the chair
mans salary and continue in the cabi-
net, but he could have his travelling and
other expenses paid by the committee.
A cabinet officers salary is $22 500.
Nor could a Senator have the chair
mans salary, but like the cabinet of
ficer, could have his expenses, as chair
man. paid by the national committee.
Whoever becomes chairman, it's a
good bet his past activities with Govern
ment agencies will be closely scrutinized
before his election. And rules will be
laid down to govern him while he is