Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-14
Democratic Politicians
Blamed for Smeurinq
Writer Recalls Abuse Directed
Against Hoover and Others
Bv Fronk R. Kent

Against hoover ana OtherS
By Fronk R. Kent
The Democratic leadership in Con-
gress Is achieving new eminence. It
is rapidly Qualifying for first prize as
the greatest unconscious humorist of
the year. This is another way of saying
that, aided by the professional propa-
gandists Of the Democratic National
Committee, 1t Is becoming highly
ridiculous.
The basis Of this allegation is the
obviously contrived and co-ordinated
TRADE OF various more or less con-
spicuous Democrats, including Senator
Hubert Humphrey Of Minnesota, SEN
atol Lyndon johnson of Texas and
others who broke out this week in
violent and panied protests about the
terrible Republicans who have been
calling them-or their party-names.
On the floors Of the Senate and House.
In various syndicated columns and
over the air there have been loud and
lugubrlous echoes. Some of these
gentlemen have beaten their breasts
and Numbered bitter warnings that
unless President Eisenhower at once
repudiates these Republican villains.
casts them out Of the Republican
Party and personally apologies, no
further help whatever could be ex-
pected Tor his program from these be-
smlrched, besmeared and justly angry
Democrats.
Another group, instead of being in
dlgnant and denunciatory chooses to
pose as terribly hurt and bitterly dis
appointed that the President should
have "let them down." And, of
course. 1t was impossible for the
mighty repetitious and publicity crav.
ing Senator Wayne Morse of oregon.
who bolted the Republican Party in
the last campaign and now calls him
sell an independent" to keep out of
such congenial uproar. It is true that
very Few persons pay much attention
10 anything that Senator Morse saws
these days, but 1t Is impossible for him
10 resist an opportunity to grab
headline or miss chance to assail the
President.
At his most recent press conference
the President expressed himself in dis.
approval Oh the extreme speeches that
nave peen made and as hoping neither
administration officials nor the Re-
publican committee would contribute
further to partisan bitterness. This
would seem to put an end to the weep
ing and Wailing. 1t does not, however.
alter the fact that the Democrats have
put on perhaps the biggest cry babyish
act that has been presented in national
pcntlcs in years. The essence of
the Democratic bleat is that Gov.
Dewey. Senator Mccarthy, ATTORNEY
General Brownell and others have
mdlcated that the recent Democratic
administrations were touched by trea.
son, graft and corruption. These allie
gatlons are not new. They have fire.
quently been made since the cases of
Alger Hiss, Harry Dexter White and
other traitors in high places we're rn-
covered. So, too has there been vigor-
GUS and general comment upon the
numerous petty mink-coat, deep freeze.
etc, erafters of the Truman regime.
In addition. the tax fraud and other
charges, made on the Senate floor bv
Senator Williams of Delaware have
neither been challenged nor answered
Considering all this, the sudden
sensltlvenesS of these Democratic
leaders to these old charges is some
what amusing. No one wants to de-
fend the uncomfortable and irresponsi-
bic Mccarthy, but the names he and
others have been calling the Demo-
Gratis are mild in comparison with
those used by that famous name-caller.
Mr.. Truman. in his give em-hell'
speeches and letters since 1913. And
Wnen 1t comes to name-calling, there
have seldom been lower depths
reached than those achieved by the
Democrats in their years of vilification
OF the now universally respected
Herbert Hoover, who never once whim-
pered or bleated.
however, all these things appear to
have disappeared wholly from the
memories Of these indignant and hurt
Democrats who are calling upon Cen
eral Ike personally to repudiate.
eliminate and apologize for these rude
Republicans. To repeat their attitude
is silly-and they ought to feel cheap,
AS tc the threat or warning that unless
~-Ae NAo~o 4SPuo4oIc, cGC., LIE democrats
VIII not support any part of his legis-
Iatlve program. there is a very simple
answer Unless they believe in what
he proposes they should not support it
anyhow-regardless of Mccarthy and
the other name callers for whom he.
OF course. is in no way responsible.
Furthermore, it may be asked what
kind OF game these wounded and in
famed Democrats think politics is.
anyhow? 1t, Of course, would be splen-
did If there were no name-calling, no
exaggeration and no bitterness in either
party at any time. But no such ma
tional campaign can now be recalled.
While certainly two wrongs do not
make right, nevertheless it does seem
more than little absurd for party
leaders whose name-calling record has
never been excelled. and whose last
two Presidents were accustomed to call
liars those who differed with them or
whom they just dlsliked, to become so
emotional when some rough epithets
are applied to them