Evening star., 1951-09-02
Trunun's Denunciution
OF Critics Ineffective
Writer Lists Charges Asoinst
Administration StuIwurts
By Fronk R. Kent


1t is obvious that the opponents Of
President Truman are not going to let
him get away with the large and small
events that have made his administra-
tion odoriferous. either by vague denun-
Citations or by igoring the facts
Not long ago when the odor became
very bad, indeed, Democrats as well as
Republicans openly began to wonder
how the President could hope to ignore
personal, documented charges such as
were contained in various national
magazines, millions Of copies of which
went all over the country. After this
attitude of indifference had caused wide
comment. the President issued a state
ment in which, in broad, general terms,
he denounced '1iars" and scandal
mongers." In reply to this outburst
Senator Taft. pointed out that many
OF these charges had, been brought out
and substantiated by Democratic COM
mittees. II suggest" he said. that he
point out the lies instead of just
shouting liar"
Since then there have been several
other things besides the deep freezes,
the mink coats, the RFC exposure, the
allegations against Chairman Boyle, ETC.,
well calculated to make the administra-
tlon's smell more pronounced. One Of
these. is the charge by Senator Neely,
democrat, OF West Virginia, that New
YORK Democratic Chairman Paul FitZ-
patrick, close friend Of the President,
had visited the White House in behalf
OF national corporation seeking a big
defense contract.
In normal times, perhaps, such things
would not attract national attention.
But In an emergency, with citizens
everywhere being taxed to the limit and
called upon to sacrifice in the national
interest, they are deeply disturbing.
Also there is the charge that the United
Corp, which constantly has dealings with
the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion, is now ohicered. from president
down. almost entirely by former en-
ployes and members of the SEC. The
impropriety is clear. A third thing is the
character Of the Truman judicial ap-
pointments. Beginning with the naming
OF ex-senator Sherman Minton, a vio-
lent and bitter Indiana New Deal poll
tician. the charge is that the judges
named since 1945. with few exceptions,
have been named solely for political rea-
sons. Questions of merit have been dis
regarded.
A fourth smelly thing now discussed
is the diplomatic appointments. The
most hagrant of these is that of ex-
Mayor O'Dwyer to Mexico That Selec-
ton, primarily backed by the same
Chairman Fitzpatrick, now interested
in defense contracts, was so political and
improper that there was a strong protest
Whor III Wac onn0IInnad M0rfhe o0o
the Kefauver committee revealed con-
nection between ODwyer and the noto-
rious Frank Costello. A few weeks ago
another notorious gambler testified to
even closer personal and political rela-
tions with O'Dwyer and to large con-
tributions from gambling sources to his
campaign. Yet Mr.. O'Dwyer remains
Ambassador to Mexico.
Without putting Chester Bowles, re-
Gently named Ambassador to India, in a
class with Mr.. O'Dwyer, it is true that
the Bowles appointment is thoroughly
political With no experience or train
ing as a diplomat, and with no known
qualifications for the job, Mr.. Bowles is
sent to one of the most explosive and
important posts in the world.
Add these recent developments to
those that developed previously and it
will be conceded the odor of the ad-
ministration, admittedly high before, has
not been lessened-quite the reverse,
Some are convinced there will be more
and worse - developments before long.
At any rate there are enough now to
make the effort to sweep them aside with
general press conference denunciations
of liars" character assassins" and
scandal mongers," etc., seem inadequate
and Intellectual.