Evening star., 1952-03-29
Mdybank Prods
/ 1rurrldn 10 Tell
Plans Tonight
But Leaders Doubt He
Will Tip Hand in Talk
At Porty Dinner

AT forty Dinner
President Truman mounts the
political stump tonight-and Sen
ator Maybank, Democrat, of South
Carolina urged him to "end this
confusion" by announcing wheth-
er he is going to seek another
term.
But Democrats closer to the
President seemed to have the
opinion he probably. won't TIP his
hand in an address here at the
$10O "a : plate Jefferson jackson
Day dinner at the National Guard
Armory.
They looked for Mr.. Truman to
come up instead with a blast at the
Republicans in the "give 'em HELP
style of his 1948 campaign.
Along with many other Southern
Democrats in Congress, Senator
Maybank is supporting Senator
Russell of Georgia for the party's
presidential nomination.
The Russell camps main goal is
to keep Mr.. Truman from being
reelected, if he decides to run
and the Georgian's hackers would
like to know Mr.. Truman's inten-
tions as soon as possible so they
can map their strategy.
Asks END to Confusion"
Senator Maybank said, however
that aside from any such factor
he (Mr. Truman) owes it to the
people to say now whether he is
going to try for another term -
Senator Maybank added:
"The time has come for the
President of the United States to
put his cards on the table and end
this confusion. He should do that
In justice to the Democratic
Party"
Senator Maybank, Democratic
national committeeman from
South Carolina, told a reporter
THE people want to know now
who the candidates are going tc
be for the democratic nornina-
ton. and they are entitled tc
know"
He also said the lack of an an
nouncement by Mr.. Truman is
playing hob with Democrats In
Congress who are up for re-
election and don't have any idea
whether to support Truman or
some one else" for the White
House.
Only one avowed candidate for
the Democratic nomination
Senator Russell-is slated to at
tend tonight's Jefferson-Jackson
dinner here.
Stevenson Due Here.
Senator Kefauver of Tennessee
is campaigning in the Midwest
for the nomination and Senator
Kerr Of Oklahoma. a contender if
Mr.. Truman bows out, will be
speaking at a similar party dinner
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Eating at the same table with
the President will be Gov. Adlai
Stevenson Of Illinois Mr.. Truman
has neither denied nor confirmed
published reports he asked Gov
Stevenson to become the admin
istration candidate for President
and that Gov. Stevenson declined
The Presidents speech, billed as
a "call to arms" to the ranks OF
the Democratic faithful, will be
carried on the major radio net
works and on television station
WTOP. starting at 10:30 pm
Other speakers include Vice Presi-
dent Barkley. House Speaker Ray
burn and Chairman Frank E. Nc
Kinney Of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee.
5000 Dinners Cooked.
Meanwhile, last-lninute prepa-
for the annual event were
being rushed at the National
Guard Armory and the Mayf1ower
and Statler Hotels. More than
5000 steak dinners will be pre-
pared in advance and sped to the
armory in special heated con-
tainers.
Police urged guests to allow
themselves plenty Of time to get
to the party. Doors will be open
at GAS pm. and all guests must
be seated by 1880. The President
and Mrs. Truman will appear a
few minutes later.
Special steps are being taken
this year to make sure that every
one gets a good look at Mr.. Tru-
man. He will eat his steak on the
south side of the auditorium and
then move to the north side for
his speech.