Evening star., 1952-02-05


The President explained that h
was acting at the beheSt Of Dem
Kefouver's Primary Bid Seen Putting Demo
cratic Leaders in Spot. Pose All
ocratic National Chairman Franl
Mckinney "and many good Dem
ocrats in New Hampshire"
At q press conference in De-
troit last Saturday Mr.. McKinne.
told reporters he was going II
urge Mr.. Truman to permit hi
name to stand in the primary.
Mr.. Mckinney and Whit
House Press. Secretary JOSEPH
Short both commented later tina
the Presidents action does no
mean he has decided whether o.
not he will be q candidate for re-
election.
Called It EyewaSh.
The Presidents name was en-.
tered by j. H. McPhail, a Man.
chester lumberman, last Wednes'
day, without consulting Demo
cratic leaders. At his Thursday
news conference, Mr.. Truman
scored primaries as eyewash anc
said his name would be taken from
the New Hampshire list.
President Truman said in his
letter today that he had thought
1t better not to have his name
appear on any ballot until he had
announced if he would seek re.
election. In his letter the Presi-
dent said:
THANK you very much for youl
telegram concerning the presiden-
tial preference primary in New
Hampshire. I am most grateful
to those Who signed the petitions
in my behalf.
'sPurely Advisory"
att is my understanding that, in
your State, the presidential pref
erence primary is purely advisory
and has no relationship to the
election of delegates. My state.
ment at my press conference las
week was intended to explain thai
such primaries do not bind thu
delegates. Not only do I not OBJ
ject to such primaries, but / have
long favored a Nationwide presi-
Dental primary, so that the voters
could really choose their owr
candidates.
However, I had thought Il
would be better for my name no
to appear on any ballot at thi'
time as candidate for President
until am ready to make an an
nouncement as to whether shall
seek reelection. But the chairman
of the Democratic National Com.
mittee and many good Democrats
In New Hampshire are Of ths
opinion that my name should bt
left on the ballot. At their sug'
gestion, therefore, I shall not asl
you to take my name of the list.
Contest for Popular Vote.
The New Hampshire primary
first In the Nation. will be hele
on March IL.
Candidates contest for the pop.
ular vote, and If they are seeking
delegates to the NATIONAL conven.
ton also enter a slate of dele.
gates.
In his statement Saturday Mr.
Mckinney said Democratic lead
ers in the State had entered thu
primary as convention delegat'
candidates pledged to support Mr.
Truman and added:
"For the President to Withdraw
would be to take them out Of thu
race. They couldn't even partici'
pate in the National convention.
While the result Of the preferen'
tial contest Is not binding on con
vention delegates, those running
pledged" to a candidate in tn
separate delegate primary mus
have the candidates consent.
Means Nothing, Short Explains.
Mr.. Short passed out copies Of tn
Truman letter. White House re
porters hurried out the news. thel
returned to Mr.. Shorts Office ant
asked the secretary whether tn
letter meant the President is &C
tually a candidate for reelection
''It doesn't indicate anythin]
one way or another" MIR. Shor
said.
He was asked whether the Presi
dent planned to 60 to New Hamp
shire for some speeches.
He said he had heard OF n
plans for such q trip.
He wouldn't comment when
reporter asked II that preclude
the President from going to Ne'
Hampshire.