Evening star., 1952-07-29

Stevenson S Nomination
Hits Hard in Illinois
Many Key Men on His Stoff
Expected to Leuve Stote Jobs
By George Them
SPRINGFIELD, nl.-Gov. Stevenson's
nomination for President will bring on
a major shakeup in the State govern
ment.
Win or lose, his departure from
Springfield will take away most, If not
all. the key men he selected to admins
ter State affairs.
Much of Stevenson's reluctance to
give up the candidacy for Governor
concerned the people personally loyal
to him.
Several of these were persuaded to
take irksome State jobs entailing abb
sence from their families at considerable
sacrifice.
If Gov. Stevenson should succeed in
getting the Democratic State Central
Committee to name q candidate of his
choice-and the candidate should de-
feat Republican william G. Stratton for
Governor-the changes may be confined
to, his personal staff and few de-
partments.
But should the Democrats pick a
candidate preferred by the spoils poll
ticians, Stevenson's admirers predict
that politics as usual will return to
State capital.
In that case sweeping changes In
many departments would be in order.
Among the more important shifts in
the offing are:
Fred K. Hoehler, State director Of
public welfare. Hoehler, career man
in public service. is q personal friend
of Stevenson as well as department
head.
If Stevenson should win the Novem-
Der election, Hoehler undoubtedly would
60 to Washington. II Stevenson loses.
Hoehler would be reluctant to serve
under some one else.
Hoehler Mentioned for Governor.
Hoehler is personal friend of Charles
p. Taft of Cincinnati. brother of the
Ohio Senator and the g. O. P. candi-
date for Governor. It was learned on
good authority that Taft offered Hoeh-
ler the welfare post in Ohio should
Brother Charlie win this fall.
Hoehler has been mentioned as q pos
sible candidate for Governor in place
Of Stevenson.
Joseph Pois, State director Of finance.
Pois is a vice president and treasurer
Of the Signode Steel Strapping Co..
Chicago. He has headed the strategic
finance department since the resigna-
ton of George w. Mitchell early in 1851.
Pois has retained his official position
with the Chicago company. He took
up the State work on loan" basis.
Stevenson and Pots persuaded re-
tired Sears, Roebuck official, Carl Kresl.
to take over the post as State pur-
chasing agent.
Pois and Kresl have instituted funda-
mental improvements In State buying.
The State spends close to $35 million
for supplies and equipment. Kresl, q
Chicagoan. rebelled at being away from
home SO much, but agreed to stay on
until the purchasing division was eStab-
lished on business-like basis. free from
kickbacks and favoritism.
Walter T, Fisher, chairman, Illinois
Commerce Commission. Fisher. close
friend of the Governor, was with him.
as was Hoehler, when the Utah delega.
ton gave Adlai the needed majority.
Fisher has run the commerce body
with single -handed justice. His admin
istration has been free from the taint
Of influence peddling. In the view Of
observers here.
J. Edward Day. director Of insurance.
Day. 81, is the same age as Bill Stratton.
and is being seriously mentioned as
Stevenson's choice to run for Governor.
A former administrative assistant. he
and Stevenson were co-workers in
Chicago law firm. Day is keen-ninded
and able. He was the top man in his
law class at Harvard University.
Others Expected to Campaign.
Gov. Stevenson's administrative staff
includes William Mccormick Blake, jr..
and Carl MCGOWAN, neither Of whom
would stay under another Governor.
Both are expected to join the Stevenson
campaign.
Richard J. Nelson, young Evanston
lawyer and Stevenson administrative
aide, may show UP on the Democratic
state ticket this fall. He would move
onward and upward in the Stevenson
orbit II the Democrats win In November.
Stevenson's press relations secretary.
william l. Flanagan, is expected to join
the Governors staf for the campaign.
He was one of the key men In the press
agentry that won Stevenson Nation
wide publicity during the past three and
one-half years.
Other administrative aides include
Lawrence Irwin and T. Don Hyndman.
Irwin is q member Of the Democratic
State Central Committee and represents
the Governor in patronage matters. He
probably would 60 with Stevenson to
Washington. Hyndman. q career man in
public service. worked also under former
Gov. Green. Stevenson regards him
highly and probably would find place
for him II elected President.
(Chicago Daily News servce)