Evening star., 1952-04-14
Hartman Makes Bow
In Democratic Race
As 'Favorite Son.

As 'Favorite Son.
Another potential candidate
bobbed up today in the wide-open
drive for the Democratic presi-
dental nomination.
w. Averell Hartman, boss Of
the Governments foreign SPEND
ing program and prime favorite
Of President Truman, let it be
known that he was available for
the top place on the ticket, and
he was getting in with strong ma
chine backing from his home
State, New York.
The wealthy banker-industrial-
ist, whose family long has con-
trolled the Union Pacific Railroad,
has been a consistent New Deal
Fair Deal supporter.
He said in New York last night
he would consider it an honor"
If he gets the favorite-son back
ing of his State at the national
convention in July-but the COM
ment came in the course Of a
statement which dealt with pos
sible support on a wider basis.
Mr.. Hartman is to be the guest
of honor at a dinner which the
New York State Democratic Com
mittee will give at the Waldorf
Astoria Thursday night.
Welker Attacks Eisenhower.
Elsewhere, there were these
weekend political developments:
Senator Welker. Republican. of
Idaho, who has yet to announce
support of any G. o. P. presiden-
tial candidate, sailed into Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower. asserting
the retiring commander of the
North Atlantic Treaty forces had
made complete reputation Of
his own personal position" re-
garding the campaign for the Re-
publican nomination.
Noting the generals applica-I
ton for relief from the European
assignment, June l, Senator
Welker said this reversed the at
titude the officer took in January
when he said he would accept the
nomination but would not seek it.
He said Gen. Eisenhower had
been inconsistent and shown a
lack of frankness."
Taft Claims Popular Lead.
The Taft sector also was busy.
David S. Ingalls,, manager for
Senator Taft, said the Ohioan had
received more votes in Republican
presidential primaries in five
States than all his opponents
combined.
The Taft total, he said, was
1.313,535 as against 1,224,280 for
the others, who include Gen.
Eisenhower.
Harold Stassen was the runner
up with 501.178.
Mr.. ingalls, statement covered
New Hampshire, Minnesota. Wis
consin, Nebraska and Illinois.
There has been a budding Har-
riman-for-P president movement in
the works ever since President
Truman stepped aside, and on
Saturday afternoon a group Of
Orange County Democrats who
are behind a Harriman-for-PreS-
1dent drive, staged a rally for the
mutual security director at Har.
riman, N. Y.
In Receptive Mood.
Mr.. Hartman indicated then
that he was In a. receptive MOOD
and he carried it a step further
last night in q radio interview for
the Gannett News Service.
The Hartman dinner - which
President Truman does not expect
to attend will give New York
party leaders a chance to look
over several possible "faVorite son"
candidates, as well as couple OF
announced entrants Senators
Kefauver of Tennessee and Kerr
of Oklahoma. Senator Russell has
been invited, but cannot make it.
Some other possibilities due on
the rostrum are Vice President
Barkley, Gov. Adlai Stevenson Of
Illinois, who is reported to be
President Truman's personal
choice, and Senator Mcmahon Of
Connecticut.
Mr.. Harriman's discussion OF
the political situation last night
came when he was told:
"A lot of Democratic leaders
are, urging you to run for Pres
ident. particularly those in New
York State. Are you now
willing to accept political support
for the Democratic presidential
nomination."
Mr.. Hartman replied:
well, I want to say that I am
IN complete agreement with Paul
Fitzpatrick, Democratic State
chairman. He said the other day,
the New York State delegation to
the National Convention-and II
am a member of that delegation
will be called upon to play AM
important part in choosing can
didate to preserve the gains Of
the New Deal under Franklin
Roosevelt and the Fair Deal under
Harry Truman. both in the na-I
tional and international fields. 81