Evening star., 1952-02-08
Friends Of Truman
Reported Convinced
He Won't Run Again
By Jack Bell
Asscciosed Press Sfaff Writer

rSsS~Ss0tw0 tAyA@ SteV Wttf~t
President Truman's announce
Inent that he is going to let the
political river take its course. with
q little steering now and then,
was interpreted in some admin
istration circles today as indicat-
ing he does not plan to run again.
It has been learned authorita-
lively by this reporter that some
OF Mr.. Truman's closest friends
now do not believe he will seek
renomination-barring unforeseen
developments.
One Of these friends, who can
not be named, told me that while
the President apparently hasn't
confded his decision to any one,
the inner circle of his associates
looks for him to step aside at the
proper time and name his choice
for the nomination. ss*
The President was said to feel
the chances are diminishing that
the Republicans will nominate
Gen. Eisenhower.
Sees Good Chance Against Taft.
Believing as he does that Sena-
bor Taft Of Ohio is the likely
GO. p. choice, Mr.. Truman was
reported to feel that the Demo-
Gratis have a good chance to win
next November's election. II that
looks reasonably certain, friends
said Mr.. Truman will be happy
10 retire from the scene.
The President was depicted as
realizing that some other Northern
Democratic candidate would be
likely to command more sup
port in the South than he could
because of the antagonism over
his civil rights program.
On the other hand. Mr.. Tru-
Man apparently is fully cognizant
Of the widespread view among
Democratic leaders that he is their
best candidates. of now.
AS part of his program of let
ting the political river take its
course. he seemingly is giving some
other Democrats their chance toI
demonstrate what they can do.
This may apply to Senator Kerr,
Democrat, of Oklahoma, in a linn
tied way. and to Gov. Adlai Stew
enSon Of Illinois.
Door Closed on Kefauver. I
But there seems a strong de-
termination within the close circle
Of Truman friends that nomi-l
nee won't be Sena tor Kefauvers
Democrat, of Tennessee If they
can help it. They feel Senator
Kefauver would not appeal to the
South and would have only par
tial support from the party's self
styled liberals"
Senator Kefauver has challenged
Mr.. Truman in the March II New
Hampshire primary And it ISL
there that the President told d
news conference yesterday he will
let the river take its. course. /
He broadened this iInmediateI n
to say it covers the whole politicalt
water front, adding he some etinlesE
puts a few walls In the way Of |
the rfVer-or throwsa dam across
It to change its course.
This seemed to be another inn
plication that II he believes the
river is running toward the nomi-
nation Of q man he doesn't want. |
he will step in to direct its fowl
either to the man Of his choice
Or to himself.
The President made it clear he
intends to take an active part in
this years campaign, even II he
isn't the presidential nominee.
Benton Called Good Senator.
In response to a question as to
whether he would campaign for
Senator Benton, Democrat. OF
Connecticut-whether that was
part of a set plaa-Mr. Truman
said he wanted the reporters to|
have clear understanding Of the
situation.
He will do everything he pos
sibly can to help elect the Demo-
cratic nominee no matter who he
Is, the President said. and If heI
is invited to any special meetings
he will. do whatever he can toI
elect Senator Benton. He is a
good Senator, he added.