Evening star., 1952-07-17
Russell Indicates He's Edqinq
Toward Administration Views:
Would Welcome Trumon's Aid
Senator Is Opposed
To Platform Fuvorinq
Senute Cloture Rule
By Gould Lincoln
Stor Stoff Correspondent

Russell of Georgia today edged
closer to the Truman administra-
ton in his drive for the Demo-
cratic presidential nomination.
Speaking at press conference,
the Georgia Senator said he would
welcome the support of President
Truman for the nomination. He
gave no indication, however, that
he had an assurance of such sup
port.
Coming on top of his disclosure
last night that he was now in
favor of the repeal of the Taft
Hartley labor law. today's state
ment was interpreted as meaning
that Senator Russell, as presi-
dental candidate, would run
largely as a supporter of the Tru-
man program.
Predicts Acceptable Plank.
Senator Russell, questioned
about civil rights, said he believed
a plank would be written into the
Democratic platform on which all
Democrats could unite. He has
been strong opponent of the
Truman civil rights program and
bitterly opposed to a Federal
compulsory FEPC. He did not say
today he had changed his posi-
ton in that respect.
Questioned about a proposal to-
write into the Democratic plat
form provision calling for a.
majority cloture rule, Senator
Russell said:
II am opposed to a change in
the rule of the Senate (Which re-
quireS a tWo-thirds vote to end
debate). I believe that the Senate
should remain body in which
debate is entirely free"
Cites Hitler's Rise.
He said that if there had been
such body as the Senate with
free debate, Hitler would never
have gained control in Germany :.
To destroy this freedom of de-
bate. Senator Russell said, would
be to do away with one of the
great safeguards of liberty.
Senator Russell said that he
himself was great exponent and
supporter of civil liberty.
The Georgian said he was sure
OF winning the election against
Gen. Eisenhower, the Republican
nominee. He claimed that he
would start with 160 electoral
votes Gin States of the South and
the border) and would easily win
the remainder of the electoral
votes required for election. Sena-
tor Russell also predicted he
would have So votes from the
Texas delegation on the first bal
lot, presuming that Gov. Shivers
OF Texas and his delegation would
be seated.
Sees Revolt Unlikely.
Asked if there was any prob
ability of a bolt in the Democratic
convention this year or after the
convention. Senator Russell said:
Il consider a bolt in the Demo-
cratic Party highly improbable.
He expressed a high personal
regard for Gen. Eisenhower, whom
he has known for 20 years, call
ing him great soldier and
patriotic American. But as a Re-
publican candidate for President,
Senator Russell said, Gen. Eisen-
hover would raise a number of
difficulties. On domestic issues, he
said, Gen. Eisenhower would have
to rely on the advice of some one.
perhaps Gov. Dewey of New York
or Senator Lodge of Massachu-
sets.
Senator Russell also pointed
out Gen. Eisenhower might be
opposed by many Republicans who
believed that Senator Taft of
Ohio should have been the nomi-
nee for President.
AHAHhS ne Can win.
Gen. Eisenhower will be no
puShover," Senator Russell said.
I can defeat him, however," He
said it would be necessary to pick
a strong candidate to run against
Gen. Eisenhower and that the
Democrats could not defeat him
with "just anybody"
Senator Russell was asked if he
had heard that Frank Mckinney.
Democratic national chairman,
had tried to arrange a national
ticket headed by Gov. Stevenson
of Illinois as the presidential can
didate and with Senator Russell
as the vice presidential candidate
II don't know of any such
move" the Senator replied. "It
you would turn that ticket around
I would be very glad to have
Gov. Stevenson as a running
Y,ootoO