Evening star., 1953-04-25
The Political Min
Eisenhower Refuses
To Bottle Congress
Mutchmukers Cont Seem
To Get Gloves on Them
By Gould Lincoln


President Eisenhower is engaged In
major experiment-double harness
for the executive and legislative
branches Of the Government in working
out the problems which confront the
American people. No one has yet been
able to push the President into war
with Congress. much to the distress Of
his critics. Vice President Nixon, who
as president of the Senate belongs
to the legislative branch, and as un-
derstudy for the President to the ex-
ecutive branch, has unique opportu-
nifty to observe the relationships Of
the President, members of Congress
and the Congress as whole. 1t is his
considered opinion, as expressed to the
Bureau of Advertising of the American
Newspaper Publishers Association.
"that President Eisenhower will have
the overwhelming support Of the Con-
gress for the program he presents to it."
Certainly, the President has again
and again emphasized his belief that
Congress has its own duties to per-
form as the legislative body OF the
United States. in his speeches and at
his press conferences. He has shown
that he respects Congress as an equal
and independent branch of the Gov
ernment. AS such, he believes that it
is the duty of the Executive to per-
suade the Congress to support the Ex-
ecutive's program, rather than to at
tempt to beat it into line.
Excellent Liaison.
Gen. Eisenhower has established ex-
cellent liaison between the White House
and the Capitol. In this work Gen.
Wilton B. Persons has been effective.
The President himself, however. has
played strong hand in bringing about
cordial personal relations with mem
bers Of the House and Senate, Demo-
cratic and Republican alike. He has
made 1t a practice to take the con-
gressional leaders-and, indeed, other
members-into his confidence before
announcing executive decisions: has
sought their advice on legislative pro-
posals. It's the kind of treatment that
makes good will.
Up to date, the manner in which
President Eisenhower has gotten along
with Republican leaders in Congress has
been sore sappointment-to those
who predicted dire things and q brief
honeymoon" for the general. It has
been disappointment even to some
members of the loyal opposition" as
the Democratic leaders like to call their
party. His relations with Senator Taft
OF Ohio, majority leader of the Senate,
and with Speaker Martin of the House
are warm and friendly and the same
thing goes for the Republican members
of the House and Senate generally.
They have recognized the sincerity Of
purpose of the President. Their loyalty
to the Chief Executive seems assured.
This does not mean that no con.
troverSies will arise between the Presi.
dent and the Congress. 1t does mean,
however, that the number and extent
of such controversies may be mini
mized. So far the Presidents batting
average is good. He got the powers
for reorganizing the Federal agencies
that he wished. His plan for the crea-
ton of Department of Health, Educa-
ton and Welfare was approved in jig
time by Congress. His major appoint
ments to office have all been approved.
including that of Ambassador Charles
E. Bohlen. The fight against Bohlen
Carthy of Wisconsin.
Abandons Old. Practice.
President Eisenhower has departed
from practice of the Franklin d.
Roosevelt and Truman administrations
he sends no bills to Congress with
must" written on them. Indeed, he
sends no bills to Congress as admin
iStration measures. His practice is to
send. Congress message, urging legis-
lative action, and leave it up to the
Republican leaders and committee
chairmen to write the bills and put
them through. This practice conforms
to the Constitution and its spirit. How
it will work remains to be seen. The
Presidents latest message. asking Con-
gress to pass bill allowing the entry
of 100000 migrants, beyond the quota
limitations. may bring real test. Sena-
tor Ferguson. Republican, of Michigan
has introduced a bill to carry out the
proposal. The generals idea is strongly
umanitarian-to grant admission to
this country to many persons who need
haven from political persecution and
hunger. Proposals to increase immigra-
ton, however, have been frowned upon
by many members of Congress.
Tests of the Presidents leadership
as we'll as of his program and his meth.
DDS of getting it before Congress-are
in the offing. Unless all signs fail. his
groundwork for friendly and effective
dealing with Congress has been well
laid.