Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-08-02
Eisenhower Job
NoPo|ificsCu rb,
Truman Says
General Moy Put
Duty First, However,
President Declares
By Joseph A. Fox


President Truman said today
that he does not believe that Gen.
Eisenhower's duties in Europe
would conflict with any political
plans the general might have in
1852. But he added strongly that
he thought that Gen. Eisenhower
would put his duty to his coun-
try first.
The Presidents comments came
at the news conference which was
Literally interlarded with political
discussion.
The President revealed that he
intends to fly to San Francisco on
September 4 to open the confer
ence preliminary to the signing
of the japanese peace treaty, but
said that for the time being, a
whiStle-stop tour of the country
was ruled out.
The discussion of Gen. Eisen-
hower's political future was in
jected when the President was
asked to comment on a statement
by Bernard Baruch that the gen.
eral is leading tbs greatest cru
SADIE since Peter the Hermit" and
doing a fine job as head Of the
North Atlantic Treaty forces.
No Comment on Statement.
The President said he was sure
that Gen. Eisenhower would con-
tinue to do great job.
He refused comment, however.
when the reporter pressed for his
views on Mr.. Baru1h's statement
that any one seeking to turn Gen.
Eisenhower's thoughts from his
duty lis doing Ike and the coun-
try a disservice."
A reporter then asked Mr.. Tru-
man how long he thinks it will
be necessary for Gen. Eisenhower
to stay in Europe.
The reporters guess is as good
las his own, the President re-
ISponded. But he added that If the
queStioner was referring to 1852
The didn't think Gen. Eisenhower
duties would conflict with anything
that might happen then if Gen.
Eisenhower happens to be in that
frame of mind-meaning political,
Speedy Trip Possible,
Then the President concluded
firmly that he thought that under
any conditions, Gen. Eisenhower
would put his duty to his country
first.
/ The Presidents announcement
that he intended to 60 to San
Francisco was in response to q
query about his travel plans. When
he said he intended to fly to the
opening Of the Pacific conference
he was asked If he would go tc
San Francisco one day and come
back the next.
That. the President said, was a
possibility.
Does that preclude the likeli-
hood OF a whistle-stop tour later
this fall?" he was asked.
1t does at this particular time,
the President said.
/ Had Considered Tour.
i Mr.. Truman has said previously
that he was considering tour of
the country after Congress had
adjourned to discuss issues with
the people, as he has done
previously.
The President also took a dig
at the Republicans when he was
asked to comment on a current
magazine article by Herbert
Hoover in which the former Presi-
dent says his party should sex
pose, oppose and propose" next
year.
Mr.. Truman said he agreed
with the last word-propose-
adding tartly that they've neve,
done that yet.
Always a Democrat.
Asked to comment on the Re-
!, publican mayoralty candidacy OF
DR.. Daniel A. Polling in Philadel-
phia, Mr.. Truman said that he
was very fond of the good Bap-
fist preacher, but as between a
Democrat and a Republican he
would always have to be for the
J Democrat.
:, The President described as out
side of his sphere a request for
comment on proposal by Sena-
tor Mundt, Republican, of South
Dakota that Republicans and
Southern Democrats combine their
forces in the presidential race next
year. That, the President con-
ltinued, was between the Senator
: and the Southerners.
Asked what he thought of the
idea that has been advanced of
having Presidents nominated by
primary instead of by convention,
Mr.. Truman said he thought one
presidential race was enough.