Evening star., 1959-11-08

Problems here as well as b
to obstruct whatever aspirati
Hallack may have for next "
nomination,
Mr.. Halleck has been receiv
on a current tour of the Pacific
critics agree on this, they also
observe less encouraging events
elsewhere.
Mr.. Halleck describes his 60
West journey as a selling job"
for his party rather than to
build up his own political for
tune. He regards the nine
scheduled speeches in Califor-
MIA, Oregon and Washington
since last Wednesday and
through most Of this week as
essential to acquaint the party
itself and the public with Re-
publican achievements, espe-
cially in Congress.
Nixon or Rockefeller
He makes no secret Of his
willingness to accept the vice
presidential nomination If 1t is
offered next year although he
denies being an active candi-
date.
He says he is siding neither
with Vice President Nixon nor
Gov. Rockefeller for the presi-
Dental nomination. although
he views Mr.. Nixon as away
out front now"
AS a sign that he intends to
be readily available if called
next year, friends here said
yesterday he has practically de-
cided against presiding at the
national convention as did his
predecessor, former House Re-
publican Leader Martin, at the
last five conventions. He re-
portedly feels the prestige-as
well as peril-of the chairman
ship is outweighed by the OPP
portunity to maneuver more
freely on the convention floor.
Mr.. Halleck is regarded at
the Capitol as having a steep
but not insurmountable climb
toward the vice presidential
nomination.
His overthrow of the veteran
Mr.. Martin for the House Re-
publican leadership last Janu-
ary was attributed in part by
Mr.. Martins followers and 9TH
ers as receiving encouragement
from Mr.. Nixon. This may
have helped Mr.. Halleck's hopes
Of still higher national recog-
milton. 1t also heaped Goals Of
controversy on the already fiery
Indianan.
Troubles Turn Up
Developments here and in
the Midwest last week put fur
ther obstacles in his path to-
ward any vice presidential nom
ination. They also may have
roughened the road to re-elec-
tion in his own district and to
an untroubled unified House
Republican front when Congress
reconvenes.
Representative Curtis, Re-
publican of Missouri, with the
reported support of several
G. o. P. colleagues on the
House Ways and Means Com
protested yesterday
that Mr.. Halleck made IAN |
unwarranted prejudgment" in
charging that the committees
tax revision hearings beginning
November 16 seem to be rugged
in favor of some radical" pro-
posals.
Earlier last week the election
of Democratic. candidates in
25 OF Indiana's 26 principal
cities raised a question about |
Mr.. Halleck's chances in his
Northwest Indiana congress
Sional district. In previous
years he carried that district |
by majoritieS ranging from
10000 to 10000, but he scraped |
through by only 5000 last year. |
Indiana associates said yes
terday he is confident of doing |
better next November. They |
explained that the G. o. P. |
setbacks in that State last year
did not indicate dissatisfaction |
with him but resulted largely |
from internal party troubles. |
They added that the resigna-
tion of Republican State Chair
man Robert w. Matthews Fri
day might improve party pros
poets.
Guest of Colleagues
In his presnt public speech
making and private huddles
with party delegations from
San Diego to Seattle, Mr.. Hal
leck is appearing as the guest
of House Republicans in the
respective districts and not at
the expense or request of the
Republican National Commit
tee or the Republican Congress
sional Campaign Committee,
his Office said.
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