Evening star., 1954-11-23
The Political Min
Knowlund Seen Certain
o Retain Leadership
His Bolt on Foreign Policy
Will Not Affect His Position
By Gould lincoln

"
Will Not Affect His Position
By Gould Lincoln
Senator william F. Knowland Of CAL
ifornia is virtually certain to retain the
Republican floor leadership In the Sem
ate in the 84th Congress, notwith-
standing his divergence with the Eisen-
hover administration over foreign pol
icy, according to his colleagues. And,
as a matter of fact. Mr.. Knowland him.
self sees no reason why he should not
be able to support and to work for the
passage Of the Eisenhower legislative
program, just as he worked for the pro-
gram in the present Congress.
Notwithstanding widespread gossip
and rumor that efforts are to be made
to obtain another G. o. P. floor leader
who sees foreign policy eye to eye
with the President and Secretary Of
State Dulles-no challenger has ap-
appeared, and none is likely to appear.
it is said. The California Senator, who
was picked by the late Senator Robert
A. Taft of Ohio when the latter be-
er. did indeed make record as a tire
less and efficient G.. o. P. leader. In
the closing weeks of the last session
of Congress he kept the Senate's nose
to the grindstone so well that the legis-
lative grist was far greater than had
been expected.
The White House itself has made
no overt move against Senator Know
land. although it reacted sharply
against the Senator's proposal that the
United States break diplomatic rela-
tions with Soviet Russia and that there
be senatorial inquiry into the long
range foreign and defense policies of
the administration. Senator Know
land made it clear he was speaking as
an individual Senator-not as party
and administration leader-in his rec
concentrations.
Presidents Attitude.
The attitude of the President is
understood to be that q Senator is
entitled to express his own views on
important issues, even on foreign
policy, as Senator Knowland has done.
Nor is the President expected to thrust
himself into selection of Republican
leader of the Senate-certainly not at
this juncture. Last summer when Sem
ator Knowland wrote to the President,
urging that the United States withdraw
it's Ambassador from Moscow and send
the Russian Ambassador packing. there
was talk of move to supplant Senator
Knowland with Senator Homer Fergu-
son of Michigan as leader in the new
Congress. But Senator Ferguson, who
has been chairman of the Republican
Policy Committee, was defeated for re-
election. But even had Senator Fergu.
son been victorious, there is doubt such
a plan would or could have been put
through. Presidents have in the past
interfered in the selection of party
leaders in the Senate-one notable case
was the late President Franklin D.
Roosevelt's intervention in the interest
of Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky
and against the late Senator Pat Harri-
son of Mississippi. Senator Barkley
won by one vote. But as a rule, Presi-
dents have not thrust themselves into
such contests, preferring to leave the
choice of leaders to the Senators
themselves. Obviously. any President
would prefer to have a party leader
who thinks as he does on major issues
and policies
No Plans to Quit.
It has been rumored, too, that
Senator Knowland, since he has dis
agreed with the President on foreign
policy. would resign from the Republi-
can leadership of the Senate in order
to have more freedom of action. It
may be stated as fact, however, that
nothing is farther from Senator Know
lands intention. He feels free to differ
with the White House, as he has done
on foreign policy. Indeed, he believes
it is the duty of a leader to express
himself freely on important issues.
Senator Knowland has a tough lob
on his hands even today. As soon as
the Senate reconvenes November 90, it
is his purpose to seek vote on the
Mccarthy censure resolution at the
earliest possible date. He has said he
expects such vote before Christmas
and apparently he will do his utmost
to bring it about. Should there be q
filibuster by opponents of the censure,
Senator Knowland is expected to de-
mand long hours and to keep the SEN
ate in continuous session if necessary
to bring the debate to an end. He
has not disclosed how he himself will
VOTE There is. of course, the chance
that his attitude on this issue will in
fuence the votes of some Republican
Senators when it comes to electing q
leader. That, however, is not calcu-
lated to affect the vote of Senator
Knowland.
Post for Bridges.
II the Democrats organize the Senate
in the new Congress, as now appears
likely because Senator Morse of Ore
gon, independent, has promised to vote
with the Democrats, Senator Styles
Bridges Of New Hampshire, now presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate, will
be In line for the chairmanship Of the
Republican Policy Committee, and 1t Is
believed he will accept it. Senator
Millikin Of Colorado will remain as
chairman of the Republican confer.
ence, and Senator Saltonstall of Mas
sachusetts, as Republican whip and as
sistant leader, it is expected. The Re-
publicans. OF course, retain the pres
1dency OF the Senate-in the person
OF Vice President Nixon. And the Vice
President at all times will be in posi-
tion to break tie vote In the Senate
In favor Of the administration. With
the party count in the Senate almost
evenly divided, this Is a considerable