Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-22
Democratic Voices

The several announcements which
have emanated from the meeting here
Of the Democratic Advisory Council add
up to the expected result-a free-wheel-
ing, all-embracing blast against the
Eisenhower administration.
All the blame for the shortcomings
Of our defense program Is dropped in
the lap Of the administration. 1t is
accused Of "unilateral disarmament at
the expense Of our national security"
1t Is even indicted for giving "the i'm
preston" that 1t has been interested
only In military allies and not in
strengthening the. economies Of the
free nations. From reading these Ad-
visory Council complaints, one would
never dream that Democratic Congress
had the slightest responsibility for any
Of these alleged shortcomings. This is
the way Of partisan politics, however,
and 1t Is nothing to get unduly excited
about. One line In the first council
statement lends itself to a fair summa-
ton Of the whole output. This line says:
THE American people are entitled to
an honest appraisal of what needs to
be done and how to 60 about doing It."
1t is enough to say that they will not
and either in the viewings-with-al alarm
which have come from the Advisory
Council.
Another Democratic voice has been
heard on some of these matters, how
ever, and In our opinion 1t Is a more
authoritative and a more responsible
voice.
The Senate Majority Leader. Lyn-
don Johnson, made talk In Austin,
Texas. Saturday night. Senator john
son did not attempt to belittle the mag
nitude Of Russia's achievement with the
space satellite, nor did he down-grade
its possible military implications. But
he said that ION the basis Of information
now available, 1t is highly unlikely that
the Soviets have altered the balance Of
world power" He also said he would not
comment on some Of 1.-The more fanciful
estimates Of the Russian satellite
achievement" at is my responsibility,
he added, ito direct an inquiry into the
facts. am not going to indulge In
gueSSes that are not based on solid in
formation. The only thing can do is
to assure you that will try to present
the facts once they are clear. This is
a situation in which lack Of knowledge
can be deadly"
This strikes us as responsible COM
ment from the man who viii lead the
Democratic forces in the Senate in the
next Congress and who will help draft
the true Democratic indictment of the
administration.
Senator Johnson made one other
comment which we think Is worthy Of
notice. I'VE have petty quarrels and
animosities," he said, which must be
set aside. There are partisans who seek
to divide our people for reasons Of per-
sonal gain. But the quarrels, the ami
mosities and the divisions fade into
insignificance in the light of the strange,
new universe which was opened up to
us Just last week. We are faced with
tremendous problems. -. Our need Is to
put aside our angers and to work to-
gether as we step into a new age Of
history"
OF course, Democratic Majority
Leader Johnson was not addressing him.
self to the members of the Democratic
Advisory Council. And we suspect they
were so busy drafting their partisan
indictment of the Eisenhower admins
tration that they didn't even hear him.
If so, 1t may be something of public
service to call Senator JohnSon's talk
to their attention.