Evening star., 1952-03-13
President Concealing
Reaction 10 Primary
Behind Cheerful Face
By Joseph A. Fox
Ssor Stoff Correspondent

Stor Stoft Correspondent
UNITED STATES NAVAL BASE,
Key West. Fla. Mar. 13.-Presi-
dent Truman's reaction to his set
back by Senator Kefauver of Ten
nessee in the New Hampshire
Democratic primary was concealed
behind a cheerful face and mo
comment" today. :
Outwardly more intent on pre-
pairing speech for the $100-a-
plate Jefferson-Jackson dinner in
Washington on March 20, Mr.. Tru-
man has shown no bitterness or
disappointment at his defeat in
the first primary test.
Gloss associates told reporters
that the President has had little
to say to them on that subject. The
only off1cial public statement came
from Presidential Secretary Joseph
Short. He said the New Hamp-
shire defeat will not affect Mr..
Truman's ultimate decision on
whether to seek another term in
the White House.
No Effect ON Plans.
Mr.. Short explained that before
the New Hampshire primary the
President had remarked that no
matter how the primary came out
1t would have no effect on his
plans. The secretary added that
he did not know whether the
President would be in any other
primaries. He also reported that
Mr.. Truman had not sent any
congratulatory word to Senator
Kefauver.
Other intimates Of the Presi-
dent. however, indicated not only
great disappointment but also an
ger at New Hampshire party lead
ers who persuaded the President
to allow his name to remain on
the ballot there.
Mr.. Truman had opposed hav-
ing his name entered in any pri-
mary and had announced he
would ask that it be withdrawn
In New Hampshire. He was per-
Suaded to change his mind by
New Hampshire Democratic lead
ers who had the support Of Ma
tional Chairman Frank E. Nc
Kinney.
always Mistake"
"It is always a mistake when
the President is persuaded to do
something against his political
judgment" an aide commented.
Observers here believed that the
New Hampshire defeat makes two
things more difficult for the Pres
ident. First he may find it harder
to stay out of the presidential
race this year lest he be accused
Of running away from a fight.
Secondly. the New Hampshire up
set could make his comeback fight
much harder than if he had kept
his name out Of the New Hamp-
shire contest.
Nevertheless, the President may
not be talking about politics but
he is thinking about it to the ex-
tent Of having his staff work on
the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner ad-
dress.
Some observers have believed
he might announce his plans about
running or not, at that affair,
which is expected to attract 5000
Of the party faithful. The Pres
ident told the Young Democrats
four years ago long before elec-
ton time that they were looking
at" the next President. but con-
ditions are different now than
they were then. When President
Roosevelt ran for his last term he
announced it at news conference
in an exchange with the late
Robert E. Hannegan, then chair
man Of the Democratic National
Committee, at convention time.
Mr.. Truman is great one for
following precedents set by his
predecessor.
When he goes to New York Sat-
urday to address the Columbia
Scholastic Press Association he is
going to speak "off the cuff" on
the subject of citizenship-which
Is slightly reminiscent Of the
'non-political" trip he made to
the coast in the middle of 1948.
After President Truman was
interrupted by reporters on his
morning walk yesterday and said
he had no comment on the New
Hampshire primary. Press Secre-
tary Short said that there was no
reaction at the Little White
House.
Baruch Donation Denied.
Mr.. Short also repeated that
mo identifiable" money from
Bernard M. Baruch had gone to
President Truman's 1910 cam
paign for the Senate in Missouri.
Mr.. Short first denied it Tuesday
after a magazine had discussed
the reported incident in discuss
ing in the break between the
President and financier. Told
yesterday that Gov. James M.
Byrnes Of South Carolina, a
Baruch intimate, supported the
story, Mr.. Short replied: "That
statement still stands"
He said that he didn't know,
avs