Evening star., 1953-09-13
FIemming Believed
Possible Choice for
Secretary Of Labor
BY the Assoeiofed Press


Arthur S. Flemming, defense
mobilizer, was being mentioned
in Republican circles here yes
terday as a possibility for Secre-
tary Of Labor.
One influential Republican
Senator. who asked not to be
quoted by name. said he wouldn't
be surprised if President Eisen-
hover asks Mr.. Flemming to step
into the post vacated by Demo-.
crat Martin Durkin in a con-
troversy over proposed Taft
Hartley labor law amendments.
Mr. Flemming, a Republican
and former president of Ohio
Wesleyan University, has held
various labor posts within the
Government, including chair
manship of the management
labor policy committee of the old
War Manpower Commission.
Mr.. Flemming was reported
out of the city and not immedi-
ately available for comment.
Others Mentioned.
Others mentioned besides Mr..
Flemming as possible successors
to Mr.. Durkin included William
McFetridge of Chicago, head of
the AFL international Common
LaborerS Union; Richard j. Gray
of Washington. D. c., former
president of AFL's Building and
Construction Trades Union, and
Gov. Alfred E. Driscoll, New Jer-
sey Republican who has an
nounced he would not run for
another term.
There was some speculation
also that Gen. Eisenhower might
offer the place to Democratic
Gov Frank Lausche of Ohio. but
most politicians here thought
such a move unlikely.
Mr.. LauSche has delayed ap-
pointment of successor to the
late Senator Taft. Republican. of
Ohio, and G. o. P. lieutenants
said any offer of a cabinet post
to the Ohio Governor would
smack too much of a deal to be
considered seriously by the ad-
ministration.
Aide May Hurt Chances.
Friends said they believe Mr..
Driscoll would accept a cabinet
appointment if it were offered.
But the refusal Friday of his
former executive clerk, Harold
John AdoniS. to answer questions
put by a New Jersey legislative
committee about alleged mobSter
links with politicians was not re-
garded as likely to help Mr..
Driscoll's chances.
Mr.. McFetridge, who heads a
Chicago ianitors union, was an
avowed supporter of Gov.
Thomas E. Dewey when the New
Yorker ran for the presidency in
194S. He was not particularly
active in last years campaign.
however.
Mr.. Gray was one of those re-
ported under consideration when
Mr.. Durkin first was chosen for
the cabinet.
Clarence E. Manion. former
dean of Notre Danes Law
School, took himself out of con-
sideration for the cabinet post
when he said in Omaha. Nebr.,
that he was not interested in the
Job because he didn't feel he
was qualified for it.
Was Taft Choice.
Dean Manion recently was
named by Gen. Eisenhower to
head a commission to studC
interlapping Federal and State
activities. He had been sug-
gested for the labor portfolio
originally by Senator Taft, who
also suggested former Senator
John Danaher of Connecticut.
Mr.. Danaher, however, has close
corporate connections and is not
regarded by insiders as a likely
choice.
Most Republicans seemed to
think that after the unsuccessful
experiment of naming a Demo-
crat to the labor post, Gen. Eli
senhower would turn to Re-
publican next.
Senators Dirksen, Republican,
of Illinois, and Capehart. Repub-
lican, of Indiana. said in sep
arate interviews they hope the
man selected is a Republican
who comes from the Middle
West.
Gen. Eisenhower must also
decide what to do about amend
ing the Taft-Hartley Act during
fha voavf coccjor of TonnroSS