Evening star., 1952-07-13
Important Job Ahead
For Taft Despite His
Defeat for Nomination
By Robert K. Walsh
Star StcH Correspondent

N11ANAA10, July 4G.-AS OG11aCOi
Taft prepared to move on tomor-
row for vacation at Murray Bay
Canada. he could still make prac-
tical use of one campaign button
from his now barren headquarters
The win With Taft" signs and
loads of his other ill-fated props
for the Republican National Con-
vention have been cleared out and
carted away. But perhaps he, and
certainly some Of his main asso-
ciates, are keeping the one that
said: Bob for the job"
For him it won't be the top job
for the coming campaign or in
the White House next January.
But IN the opinion of faithful aides
it will be job Of vital Importance
not merely in political hustings
between now and November but
even more so in the Senate Of the
next Congress.
Wide Influence in Senate.
Several Of the score Of G. o. p.
Senators who visited Gen. Eisen-
hover today indicated to reporters
but probably didn't mention 1t
to Gen. EiSenhower-that Senator
Taft will continue to WELD tre-
mendous and perhaps dominating
influence in the Senate.
Gen. Eisenhower understands
this. One of the first things he
said after receiving the G.. O. p.
presidential nomination was to
seek the cooperation and active
assistance of Senator Taft. He de-
clared this was essential to Re-
publican victory at the polls and
to success of G. o. P. programs and
policies thereafter at the Capitol.
He said that personally to Sena-
tor Taft and was assured Of such
help.
Considerable speculation and
some criticism arose because SEN
ator Taft did not appear at the
convention hall Friday night
Tor the Eisenhower acceptance
speech, and did not attend to-
days reception for Republican
Senators and Representatives.
Some said his presence would
have been a generous" and "dra-
matte gesture"
Senator Bricker, Ohio colleague
of Senator Taft, and other promi-
nent Taft associates felt, however,
that Senator Taft did the proper
thing by not injecting himself too
obviously into the Eisenhower
festivities. He not only would have
attracted too much attention but
might have been overwhelmed by
well-meaning expressions of SYM
pathy, they explained.
Plenty Of Taft Defenders.
Senator Taft. for all of the
political enemies he had at the
convention, does not lack for de-
tenders. They still stand by him.
Others with a less partisan out
look believe he has actually gained
in popularity after being beaten
in the hardest fight he ever made.
More than one enthusiastic
Eisenhower worker commented
favorably today on the quickness
with which Senator Taft stretched
out the hand of friendship and
help to his victorious gival.
1t wasn't an easy moment for
Senator Taft. But Gen. Eisen-
hover, at the meeting between the
two in Taft headquarters. seemed
far more emotionally affected and
politically uncomfortable. He was
plainly trying to fathom the rea-
son for yelling. pushing crowds.
He managed a wry grin when
Senator Taft predicted that
you'll get used to it."
The ninth-fioor layout that
housed the Taft headquarters in
the Conrad Hilton was deserted
by Republicans today. The Demo-
Gratis were taking over fast.
The rooms will be campaign
headquarters for Senator Russell
of Georgia. Taft photographs and
banners were hardly of the walls
and central booth before "Nomi-
nate Russell" pictures were
hoisted into place.
Last Fight for Presidency.
Senator Taft and his wife re-
manned in their suite in the near
by Congress Hotel. They were
visited by personal friends and
by their four sons.
They plan to leave by train for
Canada early tomorrow morning.
They repeatedly have discouraged
talk of a possible demonstration
by -wishers. But a popular
send-off of some kind seemed
likely to develop at the hotel or
station.
The senator had said previously
that this fight would be the last
he would ever make for the presi-
dency.
His loss apparently has aroused
a substantial degree of personal
sympathy because he put years
of effort into the race and came
SO close to winning.
But there is one campaign but.
ton Senator Taft's lieutenants
say he never will wear, win or
lose. That's the one sported on
some expanding political chests
and it says: II told you so.'