Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-24

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In the weeks Immediately follow
himself out as a candidate fol
President in 1856. With almost
each day. however. his health
came steadily back to him
Gradually through the months
of convaleScence in Denver, al
his Gettysburg farm and at Key
West, the pendulum began
swinging back toward the pos
sibillty that he might run. BY
January Is it was gaining mo-
fnentum.
Looking around the circle, the
President said that soon he would
have profound decision to
make. He could not make it yet
he noted, since he still awaited
decisive medical tests and the
final word of his doctors. How
ever, he explained that he had
called his friends in this eve
ming because he would welcome
their comments upon his prob
lem. With that preface he called
on them one by one, addressing
them by their familiar names
Foster. Cabot. Tom. Jim and SO
on. Each spoke in turn.
Session Held in Secrecy
The meeting was on the sec
ond floor in the Presidents
cheerfully lighted oval study
the Trophy Room he calls it, be-
cause there are displayed the
trophies given him by the ma
tons of Europe after he had led
the allies to victory over Ger
many in World War II. Mr.. Ell
senhower and his guests were in
business suits. The President sat
with his back to the fireplace.
On his right was Republican Ma
tional Chairman Leonard w.
Hall; on his left Attorney Gen
eral Herbert Brownell, jr.
Seated around the circle were
Sherman Adams. the assistant
to the President; Maj. Gen. Will
ton B. Persons, deputy assistant
Howard Pyle, an administrative
assistant, Thomas Z. Stephens
New York attorney and former
appointment secretary to the
President; Secretary of State
John Foster Dulles: Secretary OF
the Treasury George NJ. Hum
phrey; Postmaster General Ar
thur E. Summarized; Ambassa
dor Henry Cabot Lodge, IT,;
James c. Hagerty, presidential
press secretary, and the Presi-
dents brother. Dr. Milton S
Eisenhower, president of Penn
sylvania State University.
The meeting had been set fol
January 10. but was Cancelled
after word of it leaked. This
second time it went of with such
secrecy that no hint escaped.
The President was so determined
To keep 1t out of the public eye
that he himself brought the place
cards for dinner over from his
Office.
Peace Role Stressed
When dinner was over and he
began his canvass of opinions,
sentiment built up uninterrupt-
edly in favor of his running. His
place in the world was unique,
he was told. No other person
could work so effectively for
peace as he-but only from the
White House. not from retire
ment. He had made great strides
toward unifying the American
people and the Republican party,
but his goal had not vet been
fully reached. Only Mr.. Eisen-
hover was sure of carrying the
Republicans to victory. The
trend toward moderation in Gov
eminent which had advanced a
long way under his administra
ton might be reversed if DEM
ocrat moved into the White
House.
Secretary Dulles warned, for
example, that war in this nuclear
age threatened the very existence
OF man. He said the President
had God-giyen ability for rec
onclling differences among men
and nations and that. his health
permitting. he should use this
talent at this critical time.
Others. like u. N. Delegate
Lodge. emphasized the impor-
lance of Mr.. Eisenhower's role
at home as well as abroad. Mr..
Lodge cited the work the Presi-
dent had done in unifying the
Nation He felt that this was
largely responsible for the pro-
sperity OF the country. Abiding
also 20 the Presidents sensitiyity
TO world opinion and his ex-