Evening star., 1952-05-08

the other matters he had dis
cussed put in the Democratic
platform, Mr.. Truman replied
that he couldn't write the plat
form but he expected it to be
based on his speech of March 20
announcing his retirement from
the presidency. He added it
would be a good platform.
Rejecting on his own years
and plans in homely fashion, Mr..
Truman said he had had most
happy life and as full a life as
any one his age.
In 80 years in public life, Mr..
Truman said, he has necessarily
had to adapt his living to the de-
mands of public office.
Plans GOOD Time"
A little later when he was
asked if he intended to write or
lecture in this upcoming decade,
the President laughed and said
he was going to have a good time
and do just as he damn pleases.
A reporter recalled that the
President once said that when
he got out of Office he would like
to visit Russia and wanted to
know il a trip of that sort was
in the books. Mr.. Truman re-
sponded quickly that whatever he
did would be guided entirely by
the policies at that time of his
successor in Office. It was then
that Mr.. Truman said that he
proposed to support the new ad-
ministration's foreign policy.
When a reporter wanted to know
if the President was saying that
he would travel if it conformed
with the next Presidents wishes,
he responded that he wouldn't
say it that way.
He said there are many parts
of the world that he wanted to
see. but he declined to name the
places.
When another reporter wanted
to know about the assertion of
Bertrand Russell, English philos-
opher. that no man could be
elected to Office if his private life
were known, the President re-
torted that no American public
official can hold up unless his life
is on a clotheSline where every
one can see it.
Won't Reveal Choice.
Delving briefly into politics, the
President declined to say if he
would specify his preference for
the Democratic presidential NOM
ination before the July conven-
tion, telling the questioner to let
the river take its course - and
wait until the time comes.
He added the jibe that he is a
pretty good. judge of politics, as
some people found out in 1948.
Asked if he would analyze the sit
uation facing the Democrats in
their search for a candidate he
said no because he didn't think
the reporter would understand.
That got laugh.
While the President said he had
no intention right now of putting
his approval on a candidate be-
cause of the advantage it might
give him, he didn't think Presi-
dent should be gagged just be-
cause he was President.
The President reiterated his
lopen-expressed views about the
necessity for preserving the two
party system in this country. de-
claring that Is the only way we
can operate.
Mr.. Truman also repeated that
his position in favor of Fair En-
ployment Practice Commission
which is anathema to the South
has not changed.
He said he was behind the
Democratic platform on that
issue and; he added with a
Ichuckle. the Republican platform
also on the same theme.
The President crisply repudi-
ated the idea that politics was
behind the Federal Reserve
Board suspension of installment
buying restrictions.
He said he hoped Congress
wouldn't let the controls in the
Defense Production Act lapse
now.