Evening star., 1958-04-24
THE ANGRY PRESIDENT
IrritobiIity Leaves
Newsmen Puzzled
by GARNETT n. HoRNER
star star Writer

by GARNETT u. H0RNER
star star Writer
The unusually low boiling
point demonstrated by Presi-
dent Eisenhower at his latest
news conference was raising
some eyebrows today,
:, He acted like a man with q
LOT. of chips on his shoulder.
In an extraordinary display
OF temper, Mr.. Eisenhower
.blew his stack at criticism Of
his military reorganization plan
practically calling a woman re-
porter who asked him about II
q liar.
With lesser-but still notice.
able - irritation, he snapped
back at three other reporters
asking questions OF a type that
ordinarily he would be expected
20 answer calmly, even though
he might see a barb In them.
Speculate on Incident
After yesterdays conference,
there was plenty Of speculation
as to the reasons why the usual
" closely reined President
should have let his temper get
out OF control.
Apart from a natural touchi-
ness on military matters. Mr..
Eisenhower seemed q little dis
traught. Was the recession
worrying him? Were the Rus
SLAMS getting him down with
their "puzzling" diplomatic
maneuvers? Was he missing his
usual To-day spring golfing
vacation? Or was II just the
strain of holding five press con-
ferences in successive weeks?
Query on PentagOn Issue
To be sure, Sarah McClen-
don, reporter for several Texas
newspapers, seems to have a
facility for either amusing the
President-he has chuckled in
amazement at hearing her
identify herself as the repre-
sentative of different paper
in her string from time to
time-or in getting his dander
UP. But never had he barked
ct her as he did yesterday.
Miss McClendon recalled to
the President that Defense Sec
retary McElroy admitted in
testimony on the Defense re-
organization proposals before a
House committee Tuesday that.
as she put it, at some future
day I'VE might have different
types of individuals who might
want to be dictatorial. and at
that time If they wanted to.
they could transfer all the
troop units from the Army,
Navy, Air Force and even Ma
rines. and leave none under the
present secretaries or chiefs OF
staff"
Then Miss McClendon asked:
"Would that not enable one
man some day to have a per-
sonalized military force If he
we're of such a turn"
Question From President
His face flushing with anger
and his words barking out like
a military command. Mr.. Eli
senhower snapped back:
We'll, I've got one question
to ask you: Have you read the
law?"
Miss Mcclendon replied:
"Yes, sir"
mo. you haven't. I don't
think" the President snapped
at her. Now, look-let's get
this clear" Overriding a well.
sir =" interruption by Miss
McClendon. the President went
on to say that his plan would
only set up certain operational
commands under the Secretary
Of Defense and not weaken the
separate services in many other
respects.
He concluded in the same
angry tone:
Now look, Miss McClendon,
It might be Just as-well, SEN
sible for you to say that the
Congress is suddenly is going
nuts and completely abolish the
Defense Department, so why
don't we do that instead OF Just
giving a big personal army.
II think it is Just not pos
sible If we are sensible people"
One Word on Korea Query
The very next question kept