Evening star., 1952-01-25
Mcmahon Quits
President Race,
Praises Truman
Connecticut Senator
Withdruws Name From
illinois Primary
By Gould Lincoln

Senator McMahon of Connecti-
cut today Withdrew his name from
the Democratic presidential pref
erence primary in Illinois, leaving
the race there to the sole other
entrant, Senator Kefauver Of Ten.
IneSSee.
The Connecticut Democrat, who
only last week agreed to enter the
primary, gave as his reason for
withdrawing the fact he was sup
porting President Truman for re-
nomination and reelection. He
said that he did not believe he
should ask the Democrats of Illi-
lnois to vote for him for the presf-
Dental nomination under these
circumstances.
| Senator Kefauver is in Cincin-
natl today to deliver an address.
No comment from him on the Nc
Mahon withdrawal was immedi-
ately available.
| Seen as Blocking Move.
In some quarters the Mcmahon
entry in Illinois had been inter-
preted as an effort by the Tru-
man supporters to block the can
didacy of Senator Kefauver by
defeating Kefauver in an early
primary race-through Senator
McMahon. Had Senator McMa-
hon remained in the race and
been defeated. the Kefauver can
Ididacy would have received a con-
siderable boost. =
President Truman, at his press
conference yesterday, seemingly
dismissed as Of no consequence
victories by Senator Kefauver, or
any other Democrat. in the presi-
Dental preferential primaries. He
told the reporters that he, him
self, did not have to enter any
of the primaries as if he were go-
ing to be q candidate to succeed
himself.
Primary Is Advisory.
The Illinois Presidential pri-
mary is merely advisory and not
binding on the delegates to the
national conventions. The DEM
Iocratic delegation. picked by the
party organization there, in all
probability will be ready to vote
for the denomination of President
Truman or any other candidate
the President backs. The primary
law permits the writing in Of
candidates names. who are not
.Ientered formally in the primary.
It is possible, therefore, for back
Iers OF the President to write his
name if that tactic should appear
, the right one.
I Senator Mcmahon sent tele.
gram to Edward j. Barrett. Illi-
i. nois Secretary of State, Withdraw
ling his name from the primary.
At the same time he released the
following letter he had sent to
Lee j. Struif of Alton. H.. one
|of his supporters, explaining why
he was withdrawing:
"You are, of course, aware Of
my great admiration for PreSi-
dent Truman. I cherish his
friendship and I believe that as
chief of state he has been superb
lily right on the great issues Nof
our time. I have never doubted
for an instant that he Is the
strongest and the best candidate
we Democrats can commend to
the American people this fall.
"The President has not yet dis
closed his plans. Should he choose
to run again, ! will, Of course. give
him my unequivocal and whole
hearted support. This being the
case. cannot at this time give
the people of Illinois any real
assurance that I would be free
to follow their wishes should they
decide to regard my candidacy
lfavorably.
Grateful for Support.
Continuing reflection on this
fact over the past several days has
convinced me that, under these
circumstances, it is impossible for
me to participate in a preferential
URINARY such as yours. I cannot
in good conscience ask the Dem
ocrats Of Illinois to indicate .
preference for me when in my own
mind ! prefer some one else
Harry S. Truman.
Under Illinois law. as you
know. tomorrow is the last day on
which ! may decline the privilege
of being candidate.
II want you and all my friends
in Illinois to know how much !
have appreciated your confidence
and support
|