Evening star., 1951-11-07
Eisenhower Backers
Expected 10 Launch
Drive for Delegates

dllO StdIG d push IUT UGleSdtS OdCk-
ing at the Chicago convention
next July.
This furry also was accom-
panied by a couple of mods from
Democratic sources, where there
is a certain amount of sentiment
for an effort to have Gen. Eisen-
hover head the Democratic ticket
Senator Taft. in Birmingham
Ala. in search of Southern sup
port, had nothing to say about the
reSurgence of the Eisenhower
movement as the result of the
generals quick trip to this country
to discuss the Western European
arms rebuilding program with
President Truman and other Of
ficials.
Taft Seen Hard to Stop.
The Senator told a news confer
ence that he never comments on
either candidates or possible can
didates."
Senator Ecton, Republican, OF
Montana. who leans toward the
Taft candidacy, said he thinks the
Ohioan already is so far in the
lead that ''it would be hard to
stop him even if Eisenhower de-
clared today"
Even Senator Anderson of New
Mexico got into this act, express
ing the view that Gen. Eisenhow-
er's attitude may encourage a
little more voluntary effort"
among his Republican friends, but
adding that ''he needs a bigger
effort than that to stop Senator
Taft" An open, avowed, aggres-
sive candidate" is the only kind
that can stop Senator Taft. he
said.
While Gen. Eisenhower was far
from making any commitments
on his political plans and. in ef-
feet, left his own status just about
where it was before he landed
here, observers were convinced
that his disclaimers were far less
f1atfooted than in 1948 and that
he had patiently left the door open
for a draft.
General Lands in Paris.
Gen. Eisenhower landed at
Orly Field, Paris, today and of his
trip to washington told reporters.
II just went over to talk some
business. That's all" He de-
clined to get involved in political
discussion.
In a news conference Just be-
fore he took from Washington on
the way back to his defense COM
mand post, Gen. Eisenhower told
reporters he will do his own talk
ing positively and definitely" if
he ever feels duty to say any
thing on politics. At the same
time he emphasized the impor-
tance of his European assignment.
Nobody has been authorized to
act for him on political matters,
the general said, but he took the
Stinger out of that one:
mo one can be authorized to
act for any one. If I have friends
that have been my friends for SO
long they believe they know how
I would react. that is their busi-
ness and I never interfere with
their business"
Duff Feels Out Sentiment.
Senator Duff, Republican, of
Pennsylvania, among the most &C
tive of Eisenhower hackers, went
right ahead with that sort of
business" after a talk with the
general by telephone.
In Houston, Tex, on a whistle
stop" tour to feel out sentiment,
Senator Duff proclaimed that he
is "for Eisenhower for everything
in the book"
He said the general would have
to speak for himself as to whether
he would run. and also about the
subject matter Of their telephone
talk. (Gen. Eisenhower himself
said it wasn't politics)
But Senator Duff did hint
broadly that Gen. Eisenhower
didn't call him off.
Asked if he was as enthusiastic
after the telephone call as before,
the Senator replied:
IF there had been any abate-
ment of interest I wouldn't be
here"
He said he had been talking
politics with Gov. Thomas E.
Dewey of New York and added
that if Gov. Dewey weren't SYM
pathetic toward Eisenhower we
wouldn't be talking politics"
Senator Johnston's a darn
smart fellow" Senator Duff COM
mented when newsmen told him
the South Carolina Democrat had
predicted Gen. Eisenhower would
run.
Darby Halls Statement.
Gov. Dewey in New York said
there was nothing new" in his
stand on the general. He recalled
that he came out for Gen. Eisen-
hover more than 13 months ago
and said "if it's possible to be, I'm
stronger for him"
Harry Darby, Republican Ma
tional Committeeman for Kansas,
said in Kansas City that the Eisen-
hover statement will command
the highest admiration of the
American people"
Mr.. Darby, a leader in the
Eisenhower presidential move.
added in a statement:
HE returned to Europe with a
reiteration of confidence in the
course of his friends and with an
assurance that he had trust in
their decisions on the home front,
ANY more would have been a
disregard of Gen. Eisenhower's
high respect for the responsibility
which is on his shoulders at this
time. Any less would have added
confusion to the situation which
is facing the Nation in the selec-
ton of a leader in 1852"
Gov. Warren's Comment.