Evening star., 1952-01-31
Politics
Continued From First Page.)

lthat TV would have a powerful
leffect on future campaigns.
Asked if he thought it would
have revolutionary" effect, the
President said no-that it would
be Just like 1948, when he got out
and let everybody see him.
It was reference to his sue
cessful back-platform campaign.
Mr.. Truman had been urged by
the Mexico (Missouri) Ledger, an
administration supporter, to work
for the defeat of Senator KEN,
Republican, of Missouri, whose
seat is at stake this year. When
Mr.. Truman was asked for COM
ment, he quipped that he'd be
glad to work for the defeat of any
Republican Senator.
The President also was asked
what he thought of the news
papers suggestion that retiring
President be named to life men,
berShip in the Senate.
Suggested Long Ago.
Mr.. Truman said he suggested
that a long time ago and that a
hill to that effect was introduced
in the 80th Congress by Senator
Brewster, Republican, of Maine. 3
He, added acidly. however, that
the Both Colagresshis favorite
whipping hoy In the 1948 cams
paign-did nothing about it.
! Senator Taft, asserting that he
| was in the New Hampshire battle
swim, lose or draw" entered not
only the popularity" voting race,
3buk also the struggle for the
States IA delegates to the Re-
publican National Convention. Mr..
Stassen is not contesting for dele
gates, but Gen. EisenhoWer's back
Iers are.
Senator Kerr May Run.
| On Capitol Hill. Senator Kerr,
Democrat. Of Oklahoma gave some
hints that If President Truman
does not run, he himself would
be willing.
Senator Kerr put out q state
ment thanking county Democratic
leaders in Oklahoma for calling
him a ''favorite son" and adding
that Midwestern Democrats "all
agreed that President Truman is
top-man on the Democratic totem
pole for 1852, if he chooses to ac-
cept the nomination.
The Oklahoman was a White
House caller yesterday.
Other Senators noted that more
than so of the Oklahoma county
Democratic groups had backed
Senator Kerr and that 'Kerr-for-
President" groups are forming In
half a dozen Western States.
Most of them are my good
friends and I think we have
(Kefauver-for- -President) clubs in
all the Southern States.
Other Developments.
There were these other develop
ments:
The New Republic. only national
magazine to support President
Truman in 1948, urged Mr..
Truman to withdraw from the race
| this year without delay.
The magazine, once edited by,
Henry A. Wallace, said Mr.. Tru-
man "is a spent force politically,
and that for the good of his pro-
gram and party should step aside. ;"
Representative Sheppard. DEM.
locrat, of California announced O.
harmony meeting" of 27 Demo-
Icratic leaders in Los Angeles Sat-
urday and Sunday. The State
Democratic group has been badly
split in recent years, 81
Representative Miller. Repub-
llican, of Nebraska predicted Gen.
Macarthur viii be a compromise
candidate" for Republicans. Mr..
Miller forecast a deadlock between
Senator Taft and Gen. Eisenhower
supporters at the Republican con-
Ivention.
New Type Vote Sought. ],
Meanwhile, in Congress. Se1ia@l
tor Douglas, Democrat, of Illinois
and Representative Bennett.
Democrat, of Florida pushed for a
new type of Nation wide presi-
dental primary which. they said.
could apply to the 1852 campaign.
/ Under the plan, which would
mot require a long g-drawn-out con-
lstitutional amendment, the At
ltorney General would be directed
Ito work out agreements with
Estates to conduct presidential pri-
]maries for the major political
parties.
Primary voting would not ac-
Itually bind convention delegates,
1but probably would exert strong
persuasive influence" on them. the
,Isponsors claim.