Evening star., 1952-06-01
Gov. Anderson Takes
'Peacemaker' Role In
South Dakota Fracas
BY ,he Associated Pres.


PIERRE. S. D., May 31.-Gov.
Sigurd Anderson took a peace
maker role today in the no-quar-
ter warfare between hackers of
Senator Taft of Ohio and Gen.
Dwight Eisenhower over South
Dakota's G.. o. P: Presidential
nominating votes.
In the midst of an exchange of
"Smear" charges by both sides.
Gov. Anderson told reporters he
believes the campaign leading up
to next Tuesdays primary ought
to be kept on a friendly basis to
avoid a Republican split in No..
vember.
1T has been a very vigorous
campaign but believe the smears
have been more political than ac-
tual." he said.
He observed. however, that
some folks undoubtedly will be
chilled of a little" if their can
d1date'S delegate slate is defeated
in this last head-on ballot test
before the G. o. P. national con-
vention in July.
Declines Abilene Bid.
Gov. Anderson, who has re-
mained neutral in the ding dong
Presidential scrap here disclosed
he had declined an invitation
from Gov. Edward F. Arm of Kan:
sas to attend EisenhoVer home
coming festivities in Abilene, :,
Kans.. next Wednesday.
He said it was his understand
ing that all Midwestern Repub-
fican governors-many of whom
have indorsed Gen. Eisenhower
had been invited to attend. There
was no discussion of the ex-
penSes involved, Gov. Anderson
said. He said he was too busy
to 60. 80
Gov. Arm said in Topeka, he
did not promise any governors
their expenses would be paid to
Abilene. He added he is posi-
tive nobody else did either.
Victor A. Johnston, Senator
Taft's field manager, charged that
opponents smear charges
against the Taft group "were Just
a smokeScreen to cover the scan
dals now being revealed in the
Eisenhower organization on their
offer to pay expenses of dele
gates"
Sparked Bribery" Cry.
National Eisenhower headquar-
ters has said local organizations
will pay the expenses of Chicago
convention delegates who visit
the General in Abilene, New York
and Denver. Colo, if the delegates
ask for such aid. David S. In
gals. national Taft manager, said
previously that arrangements to
pay these expenses come pretty.
close to efforts at bribery"
Former Gov. George T. Nickel
son. who heads the slate of dele
gates backing Gen. Eisenhower in
Tuesdays primary. said his trans
portatlon expenses had been paid
by the national Eisenhower COM
mittee on a recent visit with the
General in Paris.
Mr.. Nicholson denied that any
South Dakota delegates who are
elected will get expenSe-free trips
to see the General, after the lat
ter's return to this country to-
marrow.
Both candidates have much at
stake but the outcome may mean
more to Senator Taft than Gen.
Eisenhower. The Ohioan cur
rently is trying to prove in South
Dakota that he can beat the Cen
eral IN q straight-out test at the
ballot box.
Taft Given Edge. 3 a
II he doeS-and daily news
papers here gave him the edge
IN q canvass of voter sentiment
his drive for an early ballot norni-
nation may gain new impetus. Al
TAFT victory also would put a
crimp in the Eisenhower home
coming show.
A defeat for Senator Taft here
might, seriously damage his
chances of convincing doubtful
convention delegates he ought to
be their choice-a circumstance
that could cost him the nomiua-
ton. >.
Gen, Eisenhower's friends here
want to win to show they can
break into what is regarded as
Senator Taft's strongest territory
the Midwest. They also, want
to demonstrate that the General
is the popular choice at the ballot
box, when there are no other can
didates but Senator Taft and
write-ins are barred.
Actual voting viii be son dele
gate states to be elected in bloc.
so the winner will take all ID.
An Eisenhower defeat here
might be less costly than a defeat
Tor Senator Taft because of the
area involved. but it would be a
serious setback for claims Of the
Generals friends that he is near
~ lnvlncible at the ballot box.