Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-02

the world knew, Mr.. Eisenhow-
er's first-ballot victory in the
1852 Republican convention,
daShing forever the Senator's
hope of following his father into
the White House, was a disap-
pointment of an intensity that
can only be imagined. Now,
both men through the strength
Of their diverse characters we're
collaborating whole heartedly in
administration affairs, Senator
Taft as the powerful and re-
spected Republican majority
leader of the Senate.
The occasion of this meeting
was a routine conference on
Taft Hartley amendments. First
Senator Taft made his way into
Sherman Adams Office. The
Senator was suffering from the
cancer that was finally to kill
him. Setting aside his crutches,
he sank down into a chair to
talk to the Presidents assistant.
Mr.. Adams was deeply touched
by the Senator's tired and
haggard appearance.
Comes to Meet Taft
Senator" he said, Il think
just to save you from going into
the Presidents Office, the Pres
ident will come in here"
Mr.. Adams hurried to Mr.. Ell
Senhower's Office and explained
why he thought the meeting
should be held in his own Office.
Sure" the President agreed,
rising from his chair.
In the next few weeks, while
the cabinet meeting sadly dis
cussed the question of a sue
cessor to the Senate Majority
Leader, his condition grew worse.
He died in New York Hospital on
the morning of July 81. Soon
after the news reached the
White House. President and Mrs.
Eisenhower drove to Georgetown
to call on Mrs. Taft. The Presi-
dent took Martha Taft's hand in
both of his and said, 81 don't
know what I'll do without him
1 don't know what I'll do without
him."
"Truly Great Citizen"
Publicly, the President issued
a statement mourning the tragic
loss to America" and saying, inI
part:
1.-THE Senate has lost one of
its leading members of all time.
The American people have lost
a truly great citizen, and I have
lost a wise counselor and valued
friend :"
1t was during the first flush of
victory Immediately after the
balloting at the convention in
Chicago. that Mr.. Eisenhower
moved to secure the counsel and
friendship of this towering Re-
publican who was his political
opponent in the months past.
At that time he left his suite |
In the Blackstone Hotel and made
his way across the street to the
Conrad-Hilton Hotel to shake
hands with Senator Taft. They
met by the elevators on the floor
where the Senator's headquarters
was situated. Many Taft work.
ers were still in tears. The press
of a dense crowd around them
was suffocating as they stood in
front of cameras, both tense and
shaken but both struggling for
self-control and smiling mechan-
ically.
Calls Cooperation Vital
II came over to pay a call of
friendship on great American.
MI. Eisenhower said. His will
ingness to cooperate is abso-
lutely necessary to the success
of the Republican Party in the
campaign and of the administra-
ton to follow"
Il shall do everything possible
in the campaign to secure his
election and help his administra-
tion." Senator Taft promised.
The Senator did what he said
he would do. He went out and
campaigned strenuously and gave
Mr.. Eisenhower powerful help.
But he did so only after one Of
the most disputed episodes in the
campaign. This was the break