Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-18
THE NATIONAL SCENE
The Presidents
Political Credo

General Summerheld do not ex-
pect to serve too much longer for
personal reasons. One high adj
ministration adviser did resign
within the week; DR.. Arthur F.
Burns quit as chairman Of the
Council of Economic Advisers and
was replaced by Raymond j. Saul
nier, another member. No polit-
ical significance was attached to
the shift.
Tosk for the Democrats
The Democratic Party was still
licking its wounds last week as a
result Of the shellacking it took in
the presidential election as well
as licking its chops over retention
of control of Congress.
The gloom at Democratic ma
tional headquarters thickened in
the cleanup after a hectic cam
paign when it was learned that the
party faces staggering deficit of
81 million. What to do about that,
what to do about rebuilding the
party organization, what to do
about leadership are problems re-
curing early solution.
To tackle some of these problems,
the 11-member Democratic Ma
tional Executive Committee was
called to a meeting to be held here
November 26 and 81. First on the
agenda will be the debt question.
Despite dissatisfaction among
some elements of the party, Paul
M. Butler is regarded as safe bet
to continue for while as national
chairman. For one thing, not many
men would aspire to an Office which
has the immediate responsibility
Of reducing million-dollar debt.
Mr.. Butler, making clear he in
tends to stay at his post, has an
nounced plans to stage hundreds of
Embarrassing dinners, selling tickets
at about IS each. In this way,
he hopes to get at least 100000
Democrats to celebrate the con-
gressional victory and. at the same
time, cut the party'S debt. He also
proposed economies in the publ
cation of the Democratic Digest,
which he praised but described as
political luxury. The Digest, with
a distribution Of 10000 copies
monthly. has cost 100000 net in
less than two years.
Stevenson's Role
Democrats will be hiding their
time to see what role Mr.. Stevenson
now takes. Though apparently
through as presidential nominee,
Mr.. Stevenson remains the titular
head of his party His authoritative
place cannot be seized by another
unless a general revolt occurs with
in the organization ranks-a remote
possibility.
After his defeat four years ago,
Mr.. Stevenson held public atten-
ton by taking a trip around the
world. When he returned, he deliv-
cred an address that won national
and international headlines. Then
followed series of appearances
at Democratic benefit rallies
throughout the country. Mr.. Ste
venson not only was seen and heard,
but he was helping to raise many
thousands Of dollars for the party
treasury. Thus he kept in the pub
lie eye until he announced as a
candidate for the 1856 nomination.
There is no indication so far
that he plans to follow this pattern
again. But most Stevenson stall
warts will be surprised, indeed, if
he is not available for further party
service and leadership, even If a
third nomination is out Of consid-
Grafton.
The Democrats strove. mean
while. to assure party harmony
in Congress. Senator George
Smathers of Florida spanked a
movement for the election of Sen
ator Mike Mansfield of Montana
as the new party whip" in the
Senate, filling a vacancy left by
the defeat of Senator Earle C.
Clements Of Kentucky. This is a
gesture to liberals of the North
and West, for as whip" Senator
Mansfield would be assistant to
conservative Majority Leader Lyn-
don johnson of Texas. The NOM
ination appeared headed for sue
cess when the Democrats caucus
in January.