The people's voice., 1958-04-25
Continued From Page Six)

ing TO iauncn Cnelr I1rSt SputnIk.
Though Dulles and Humphrey were
dividing policy between them-the
formers policy abroad often undercut
by the latter's economy at home-the
president recovered satisfactorily
from his first illness, seemed to be
grasping again the tangled reigns of
power and was in his best form by
the early summer of 1856. On June 9
he suffered his second illness. But he
recovered from a serious operation
so rapidly that he decided to seek a
second term.
"HIS GREATEST MISTAKE"
That was mis- greatest mistake and
assured his ultimate tragedy. 1t should
be remembered, however, that he did
not foresee the third illness. In addi-
ton, he was persuaded to run both by
Republicans who considered him es-
sential to the nation and those who
only wished to ride on his coat-tails
while privately abhorring his philoso-
ply.
Eisenhower was easily reelected
but lost control of the legislature.
Still, the president appeared to be
well man and a regnant leader until
the summer of 1857. Then four events
engulfed him.
The first of itself was sufficient to
wreck his leadership. A paralytic
stroke on June 8, though slight, made
certain that he could never lead the
nation actively again.
The second was recession. Under
the influence of his economic advis-
ers, Eisenhower boldly resolved to
another balanced budget. But early
in the new year he began to have
doubts and intimated that, if neces-
sary, he would agree to a tax cut and
a deliberate deficit to stimulate busi-
ness. The heavy Keynesian artillery,
long in moth balls, was wheeled up.
The decision to follow Keynes, if
necessary, was a social decision of
highest Importance and it represented
queer mixture of presidential sue
cess and failure.
The president-or events-had sue
ceeded at last in converting all but
the stubborn right wing of the Re-
publican party to the central mechan-
ism of the New Deal. After long de-
tour and many alterations, Eisen-
hover had returned essentially to the
position of Franklin Roosevelt. The
revolution of the Thirties (it was |
nothing else) had long been denied |
and Intellectually obstructed by the |
Republicans but it was now
legitimized. Legitimized but not yet
tested. The great test may occur this
year.
At the same time it became evident
that in another department of eco
nomic policy the president was failing
and lacked the energy to recoup.
He had begun by boldly sponsoring
campaign for tariff reduc
ton and seemed to be making prog
ress against the Republican protec-
tionists. On this score his motives
were sound, his courage admirable. If
he knew few of the details of trade,
he did not need to know them. I'm a
famous golf game with Louis st.
Laurent he was amazed to hear that
Canada carried huge deficit in the
American market).
The business slump released all the
atent forces of protectionism in both
political parties and soon produced
The first significant backward step in
policy of expanding
,rade. Oil imports were restricted. Re-
,trictions on metals, especially those
rom Canada, are likely to follow. II
A strong president might appeal to
he nation over the head of Congress
md fight off these assaults on his
policy. Eisenhower is in no condition
% fight on this or any other sector.
His tragedy is exportable and will
,e exported.
After the presidents paralytic seiz-
Ire and the business recession came
he third event, one of the most i'm |
,ortant in human history.
,PUTNIK SHOOK
AMERICAN CONFIDENCE
Sputnik's glare exposed the unthink- |
bile truth that under the master sol
Iier the United States had lost its