Evening star., 1954-11-14
Stevenson May Take
Political Rest in S.;
1856 Race Is Debated
By Gould Lincoln

Despite the TACT tLlat nc uClu
no public Office. Adlai Stevenson
during the last two years has
proved himself the outstanding
figure and leader in the Demo-
cratic Party.
He has worked hard to get the
party's debts paid. These debts
grew out Of the 1852 presidential
campaign.
He has led the successful flght
to put the Democrats back in
control of Congress. II the 1856
Democratic National Convention
were being held this week-in-
stead Of 20 months hence-Mr.
Stevenson would. in the opinion
of many leading Democrats, be
renominated for the presidency,
Notwithstanding his defeat two
years ago.
The former governor of Illinois
has not said whether he will be
a candidate for his party's top
nomination again. There has
been much discussion whether
he could be drafted a second
time, or whether he would have
to fight for a nomination. It
seems obvious that sometime in
the iAte fall of 1855 or early
winter of 1856. the friends Of
Mr.. Stevenson will have to start
organizing--and will do so, un-
less Mr.. Stevenson should de-
clare himself unalterably opposed
to running.
Wants Rest from Politics.
Yet the prospect. according to
apparently reliable reports, is
that Mr.. Stevenson will take a
rest from politics for the next
year. He wishes. it is said, to
make another trip abroad, and
certainly to get actively back
into his law practice.
This does not mean he will
be unavailable for consultation.
or even for major addresses at
party meetings. But it does mean
that he is not going to engage
in hectic maneuvers to keep him.
self before the public--as an
Offset to his not holding public
office and so having a public
forum at all times. Mr.. Steven
son is not the "eager beaver"
type.
The approaching resignation
of Democratic National Chair
man Stephen Mitchell is in line
with this attitude on the part
of Mr.. Stevenson. Mr.. Mitchell
was Mr.. Stevenson's choice for
national chairman to conduct
the presidential campaign two
years ago. He is, of course,
strongly pro-Stevenson. His res
ignation, which is to take place
at the meeting Of the Democratic
National Committee in New Or
leans December 4, will leave him
free to begin working for the
denomination of Mr.. Stevenson
at any time it appears. strategic.
Neutral Chairman Seen.
The Mitchell resignation also
makes it possible for the ma
tional committee to pick a neu-
tral new chairman, not COM
mitted to any potential presi-
Dental nominee All;randidates,
1t is presumed. would be favor
able to having a chairman who
will not use his influence to pro-
mote the candidacy of any one.
So far, it is said, there has been
no crystalization on any one for
this Craftsmanship job.
Mr.. Mitchell has begun con-
ferences with and is seeking the
advice of members of the ma
tional committee regarding o
new chairman. with . hope that
when the committee meets in
New Orleans, there will be no
free-for-all row over the chair
manship.
I Already there is a long list
Of suggested chairmen. It in
Cludes Oscar Chapman. former
Secretary Of the Interior. Mike
Disable of Ohio. James Finnegan.
president of the City Council
In Philadelphia; Democratic Ma
tional Committeeman Paul But
Ter of Indiana. former Air Force
Secretary: Thomas K. Finletter
of New York. who handled the
Hartman campaign for Gov
ernor of New York: Senator
Clements Of Kentucky, who has
been chairman of the Demo-
cratic Senatorial Campaign Com
mittee; Leslie Biff1e. former Sec
retary of the Senate: Represent
ative Hale Boggs of louisiana,
former Governor Ebert N. Car
vel of Delaware and Archibald
S. Alexander, New Jersey State
Treasurer.
The center Of the stage, Ste
venson supporters contend, really
passes to the Democratic-con-