Evening star., 1953-01-17
Wilson Talks
To Eisenhower
On Job DELAY
Cabinet Choice
Silent, Situation
Called Unchanged
By Joseph A. Fox
Stor Stoff CoTTesoondenf

NEW YORK, Jan. 17.-Charles
E Wilson, Defense Secretary
designate. whose confirmation
for the cabinet post has been
snagged by his reported refusal
to divest himself of General Mo-
tors holdings, conferred with
President ELECT Eisenhower to-
day 1t was said later, There
was no change in the situa-
ton" according to prospective
officials.
That answer came from Press
Secretary James E. Hagerty,
who was asked if as a result of
the meeting there was any
change either in Mr.. Wilson's
reported attitude on his stock
or on the future of his nominal
ton.
Mr.. Wilson wants to be Sec
retary and Gen. Eisenhower
wants him?' a reporter asked.
No Change, He Repeats.
Mr.. Hagerty said that was cor
rect. When Mr.. Hagerty was
asked if the former General Mo-
tors head evidenced any desire
to decline the appointment, he
repeated there was no change in
the situation.
Mr.. Wilson was at Eisenhower
headquarters more than two
hours, but according to the press
secretary. he saw Gen. Eisen-
hover 'only briefly"
When Mr.. Wilson left the
presidential suite he was asked,
Did you see the general per-
sonally?"
What difference would that
make?" Mr.. Wilson retorted.
AS he brushed by reporters to
enter an elevator a questioner
asked whether he could stop for
a question. Mr.. Wilson said, no,
he could not. He then told re-
porterS he would talk later.
Silent on FBI Report.
Eisenhower headquarters also
continued today to decline any
comment on a report that two
members of the local staff had
been disqualified for White
House jobs because of an adverse
report from the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.
Meanwhile, the Eisenhower
Commodore Hotel headquarters
established since Labor Day was
being dismantled preparatory to
the President-elect's departure
for Washington tomorrow.
A small staff will be left be-
hind to pick up loose ends.
Special Train for Trip.
The Eisenhower party will
travel in a special train and
will make the run to Washing
ton nonstop.
Press Secretary Hagerty said
he would not comment one way
or another on the reported ad-
Verse check made against two
headquarters employees by the
FBI. He responded. Il don't
believe he does" when asked if
Gen. Eisenhower was aware of
the purported development. He
said also that he did not intend
to take the matter up with the
President-elect.
Asked if he would not be issu-
ing a denial if the report was
without substance. he stuck to
the mo comment" line.
The FBI has been screening
prospective members of the Eli
SenhoWer administration force
from top to bottom, for both
loyalty and security.
Security Risks Reported.
The two repeatedly turned
down, it was understood, we're
deemed poor security risks.
Neither was slated for an i'm
portant assignment, it was said.
In the meantime, Gen. Eisen-
hover had said his formal fare
wells to the students and faculty
of Columbia University, where
his tenure ends Monday, when
he becomes president-emeritus.
The principal work of the presi-
dency has been carried on by
DR.. GraySon Kirk, who hereafter
will be in complete charge, since
Gen. Eisenhower left the aca-
demic halls to go to Europe and
direct operations of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Making his final rounds yester-
day afternoon, the retiring head
of the university loosed a blast at
traitors" in education. and
pleaded for academic freedom
when he spoke to the faculty. 1t
plainly was his answer to charges
Continued on Page A-6, Col. So