Evening star., 1952-09-20
Comment of Nations Press
On Nixon Political Fund Case

sounds like one Of the major
political takers of our time. He's
crying communism to camou-
iflage an under r-the-table business
deal and proclaiming that every
Senator has the right to q few
special privileges. And we can
remember way back when the
Republicans were saying that it
was naughty for public officials
to accept private favors."
The Pittsburgh POST Gazette
said: people begin wondering
whether man who kicks in e
few hundred bucks to help a law
maker make clerical ends meet
might not ask favor in return.
And eevn if the favor is never
asked, the lawmaker has no busi-
ness accepting such money. how
ever noble the ends he seeks
he (Nixon) has hurt the cam
paign Of his thoroughly honorable
superior. Gen. Eisenhower"
(The Post-Gazette is an in
dependent paper which uni
formly supported Republican
presidential candidates for many
yearS.)
Baltimore Sun-Senator Nixon
has hurt Gen. Eisenhower
chances. The generals campaign
depends for its force largely upon
the issue Of corruption. Some OF
that force will be lost If the Demo
Gratis are given the opportunity
to say ''You. too" Even granted
that Senator Nixon acted in all
innocence and made no unethical
use OF the money, he still stands
disclosed as lacking in discern
ment and sensitivity. =
(The Baltimore Sun papers
have indorsed Gen. Eisenhower
Asks for Full Disclosure.
The Chicago Tribune, which is
uncommited to support either
candidate. said g. there is
no question about the fact that
Mr.. Nixon has received the money
or that it was contributed by
private individuals. Now that
some of the names of the con-
tributors have been revealed, 1t
should not be difficult to deter
mine whether the motives in CIV
ing and receiving were honorable.
''Mr. Nixon has borne q good
reputation and received his nomi-
nation largely in recognition OF
his notable services in the un-
covering of the Hiss treason. He
owes it to himself and his party
to disclose every facet Of the
questioned transaction"
The Atlanta Constitution, back
ing Gov. Stevenson, said: "Sena-
tor Nixon has shown extremely
poor judgment. His admitted
indiscretionS have turned him
into q distinct liability as the
Republican vice presidential can
didate."
The Birmingham News, which
indorsed Gen. Eisenhower, said
ut seems to us it Is the plain duty
Of a public official to strive tx
maintain as objective and impair
tial q position as he can with re.
spect to all the people. We d.
not believe that Senator Nixo1
has well served that end in &C.
cepting these funds, even though
he denied any wrong doing anc
we do not challenge the sincerity
of his conception in this regard
though we do not grant the pro-
priety Of his action"
Question Of Right or Wrong.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
which has indorsed Gen. Eisen-
hover. said the disclosure "is .
serious matter that demands ex.
PLANTATION. Attempts made by
some of Nixon's friends to faster
the label of Communist smear
upon reports Of the fund miss the
point entirely. =. The question
(which is this: Was it right OF
wrong for, him to accept these
contributions? -. Senator Nixor
may have q wholly acceptable ex.
1 planation- with details, not gen.
eralities showing that there wa.
nothing improper or unethicaI
about any part Of the transaction
He should produce it at once"
Tho st. Louis Globe Democrat
which is pro-Eisenhower. said
lMr. Eisenhower is receiving advict
from all sides. Some would have
him demand that the Senator re-
sign and that the national com.
lmittee name . new nominee
Some would have Ike ride ou,
the storm and proceed as il thu
disclosure had not been made, 3
highly dubious procedure. As oil
lnow Mr.. Eisenhower awaits thu
facts. all the facts. Then he VIII.
act. This seems to be the emf.
i lnently wise course to follow at thil