Evening star., 1951-05-06
Democrats Using OPS
For Party Patronage,
GarbrieIson Charges
By. Gould Lincoln


the Republican National Commit
tee charged last night that the
Truman administration Is using
the Office of Price Sterilization
to build huge patronage ma
chine for use in the elections Of
1852.
He cited in a statement the re-
suits of a survey made by his
committee. which he said showed
that Democratic lame ducks
and party hacks" have been ap-
pointed to price control Jobs
throughout the country. These
jobs, he said. pay about $4,000
q year.
1.-THE abysmal failure of the
Truman administration to halt
imitation and bring down the cost
of living" said Mr.. Gabrielson,
reflects the caliber of the per-
sonnel of this, critical defense
agency.
Instead of selecting officials
on ability and merit, the Truman
administration has applied the
test of Democratic party regu-
larity. Such a policy is quite in
keeping with politics as practiced
In MiSsouri-and for the last six
years, in Washington"
Quotes DIR. Valentine.
The survey made by the
Republican National Committee
covered appointments made to
the IA regional Offices established
by the Office of Price Sterilization
as well as district Offices. It
showed, said Mr.. Gabrielson. that
the top price control positions
have been filled by Democrats
recommended by Senators, Repre-
sentatives, State and national
leaders, and in one instance by
President Truman himself.
MIR. Gabrielson said that two
high officials have resigned be-
cause of the political aroma sur
rounding the price stabilization
agency. DR.. Alan Valentine re-
signed as Economic Sterilization
Administrator January 10, 1851,
after a dispute over imposition of
price controls with OPS Director
Michael v. Disable. In a speech
in Cleveland later, DR.. Valentine
was quoted as saying:
"A government in which even
men of Cabinet rank are advised
to ingratiate themselves at regu-
lar intervals with certain men,
bers of the White House staff is
an inefficient government"
Recalls Job Sale Charge.
Mr.. Gabrielson quoted Vice Ad-
miral John H. Hoover, as saying
"It is true that I have resigned
as price control enforcement Of
fcer of Economic Sterilization
Agency. 1t is also true that I be-
lieve politics has no place in an
organization affecting every Amer
ican home"
Mr.. Gabrielson also referred to
the resignation of former Gov. M
L: Thompson of Georgia, ap-
pointed to a "fat. easy job as CO.
ordinator for, territories in Wash
ington." He said that after IL
weeks of doing nothing, Mr.
Thompson resigned. He was get
ting $3.50 q day, including ex-
pense money.
Conditions existing in the ma
tionak administration are so de-
plorable today that loyalty tc
party and patriotism to country
constitute a conflict" said Mr.
Thompson at the time.
Mr.. Gabrielson also discussed the
recent investigation by a Senate
committee into charges Of job sales
by Truman Democrats in Missis-
sippi, some of the jobs being with
the OPS.
Former officials Named.
The Republican committee sur
vey of top jobs in the OPS showed
them filled by Democrats a:
follows:
= Former elected or appointed
officials: Three Representatives
six mayors, one governor, two
Undersecretaries of Agriculture
one member of the Maine legisla'
ture. one member of the New
York State Assembly, one Stat'
Supreme Court Justice, one Statt
Attorney General, one United
States marshall, one State treas
urer. one State Secretary OF State
one State insurance commissioner
one United States attorney, ane
one postmaster.
Defeated Democrat candidates
six for Congress, three for COVER
nor, one for lieutenant governor
one for State attorney general
one for State secretary of state
one for State treasurer, one TO
State Supreme Court justice, on
for United States Senator.
Democrat political leaders. On
member of the National Commit
tee, one State chairman, one coun
ty chairman, one president of
city Democrat club, one Stat
committeewoman, and one stat
chairman of Young Democrats
Modern machines can make 55I
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