Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-03-31
Democratic Race Wide Open,
With Truman Sure to Reject
'Droft Move, Mckinney Says
Party Chief Predicts
Half q Dozen New
Entries in Contest
By Gould Lincoln

Oy 0UUtu 6UCViH
Democratic National Chairman
Frank E. Mckinney said today he
was convinced that President
Truman. in his announcement
Saturday night, had taken him
self clear out Of the presidential
race.
THE President is firm and def
mite in his decision not to run
and not to accept denomination,
said Mr.. Mckinney. The national
chairman said he expected there
would be demands from many
quarters that the President be
drafted" but he was certain that
the President would not 60 along
with them.
1.-THE field for the Democratic
presidential nomination is now
wide open." continued Mr.. Nc
Kinney. He added that he would
not be surprised If before long
there were half dozen new faces
in the contest. Democratic Gov
errors and Senators, for example.
Pushes Convention Plans.
Asked il he thought the Presi-
dent would take part in the selec-
ton Of his successor-for the
Democratic nomination-Mr. Nc
Kinney said he had not had an
opportunity to discuss the situa-
ton with the President since his
statement Saturday.
II shall go right ahead with
plans for the Democratic National
Convention" said Mr.. Mckinney.
"AS national chairman shall
play no favorites for the nomi-
nation"
Mr.. Mckinney said he had been
taken completely by surprise when
the President made his announce
ment that he would not run.
II had hoped all along" said
Mr.. Mckinney. that the President
would make up his mind to accept
denomination"
Three Already in Field.
Mr.. Mckinney did not mention
by name any Of the possible new
contenders. for the presidential
nomination. Those already in the
field are Senators Kefauver of
Tennessee. Kerr OF Oklahoma and
Russell Of Georgia. Gov. Adlai|
Stevenson Of Illinois has been very
much in the picture as q possible
choice.
Now that the President has
taken himself out Of the race, the
spotlight turns particularly on
Vice President Barley. Mr..
Barley has said he might issue
q statement sometime this week
on his own political plans. The
Vice President is widely popular
and already some of his friends,
including Leslie L. Bif1e. Secre-
tary Of the Senate. are demand
ing that he be nominated for
President. Mr.. Barley will be rs
years old next November "a.
Meanwhile, stunned Democratic
leaders were discussing possible
combinations for the party's ma
tional ticket. One principal aim
was to pick candidates who could
unite the party, widely divided by
the Truman fair deal and civil
rights program. One group came
up with 4 proposal that Gov. Stew
enson be nominated for President,
with Senator Russell of Georgia
as the vice presidential candidate.
Another suggested that Gov. Stew
enson be nominated for President
with Vice President Barley as his
running mate.
Stevenson Appears In TV.
Gov. Stevenson, in a televiSion
appearance. yesterday, seemingly
gave some hope to the South. He
said that he favored allowing the
States themselves to deal with
civil rights, although he put him.
self again on record as favoring
FEPC. He pointed out that he had
sought the enactment of an FEPC
law in Illinois. He added, however,
that if the States failed to act
fairly in this matter of civil rights,
he would support a federal statute.
He also said that he was not for
the repeal" of the Taft-Hartley
labor law, but believed that it
needed drastic amendment.
Gov. Stevenson, who will have
strong backing particularly in the
Midwest and in the East, reiter-
ated his statement that he Is a
candidate for denomination Of
Governor. He did not close the
door to q presidential candidacy.
however. His present situation is
that until the Democratic primary
In Illinois. where he is on the ball
lot unopposed for the guberna-
torial nomination, has been held
April 8, he cannot say anything
regarding the presidential race.
II after he has received the
(See POLITICS, Page A-S.)
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Civil Rights Issue Bobs Up Again in Woke
Of Trumon's Decision. Page Az