Evening star., 1960-05-14
Truman Nod to Symineton
Derided in Kennedy Camp
By CECIL HOLLAND
Star Stan Writer

In an Endorsement he had
not expected to make until
near convention time, former
President Truman has come
out for Senator Symington of
Missouri for the Democratic
presidential nomination.
The Endorsement, announced
in Chicago yesterday, came
only three days after a smash
ing victory in the West Vir-
ginia primary gave Senator
Kennedy Of Massachusetts, a
headlong lead over other DEM
ocratic hopefuls for the nomi-
nation.
The Truman move was re-
garded by Senator Kennedy's
advisers as "a desperation
move" intended to head of a
bandwagon movement toward
the Massachusetts, Democrat as
some of the party's New York
leaders and others began lining
up on his side.
Only last week while in
Washington Mr.. Truman con-
f1ded to friends that he in
tended to hold OF his indorse-
ment.
He emphasized this intention
to MisSouri'S Gov. James T.
Blair, jr., who had called him
to obtain his consent to serve
as one of the States delegates
at-iarge to the convention. At
the time, it is understood, Mr..
Truman made it clear he did
not want to be bound in ad-
vance to any one candidate.
Eventual Move Planned
However, he had indicated to
friends over the past several
months he intended eventually
to come out for his fellow Mis-
sourian for the nomination.
Mr.. Truman announced his
Endorsement on a visit to Chi
cago to address the Executives
Club Of that city. He said Sen
ator Symington was without
doubt the best qualified
man" for the nomination and
added:
II am sure as I can be that |
if the Democrats nominate him,
he will have no difficulty in
carrying a tremendous major
ity Of the electoral votes in
November"
Mr.. Truman undertook to ex-
plain his move at this time in
these words: The only reason
have waited until now to
make this announcement is
because want to help him and
not hurt him."
He said the reason for the
Endorsement was aside from
that of the Missouri delegation
which bound itself to support
Senator Symington.
Dismissed by Kennedy
Senator Kennedy, seeking
votes in Maryland before TAX
ing of tonight for campaign
ing in the oregon primary, dis
missed Mr.. Truman's indorse-
ment of one of his rivals as
natural and something that
had been known for months"
Senator Symington also is
entered IN Oregon'S primary
next week and Senator Ken
nedy said in it I'VE will have
an indication of the strength
of Mr.. Truman's Endorsement"
Senator Symington, seeking
delegates in New Jersey. well
coined the Truman indorse-
ment. At the same time he
acknowledged that Senator
Kennedy was leading in the
race for the nomination at
this time" His victory in West
Virginia, the MiSSourian said,
"certainly made no contribu-
ton to anyone else's campaign.
Asked where he expected to
pick up delegates to catch up
with the front running MaSsa-
chuSetts Democrat, Senator
Symington said:
II intend to campaign all
over the country to persuade
delegates to support my candi-
dacy. The convention is still two
months off,"
New Jerseys Al convention
votes are pledged to Gov. Robert
B. Meyner as a favorite son on
the first ballot.
State Democratic Chairman
George E. Brunner was reported
by the Associated Press as say
ing "a substantial proportion"
of the delegation would be for
Senator Kennedy when Gov.
Meyner withdraws. !