Evening star., 1961-01-24
Senator Says
Ball Dubbed
Nixon a Dope
~ the Associated Press

George w. Ball, President
IKennedy's nominee for Under
Esecretafy Of State for Economic
Affairs. was accused today Of
calling former Vice President
Nixon an utter DOPE"
This was the Interpretation
applied by Senator Hickenloop-
er. Republican Of Iowa, to q
letter written by Mr.. Ball in
the 1860 campaign and printed
in the New York Times Octo-
her 0.
Senator Hickenlooper brought
Iup the letter at the Senate
Foreign Relations Committees
hearing on Mr.. Balls confirma-
Ition.
The nominee, a Washington
lawyer with an extensive inter-
national practice. got q gen.
orally friendly reception from
Republicans as well as Demo-
crats on the committee, how
lever. His confirmation appeared
assured.
Letter ID Withdrawn
Senator Hiekenlooperr offered
the letter for the record but
later withdrew It.. He said that
In 1t Mr.. Ball seemed to be
Saying MIR. Nixon was an utter
dope In his activities and ex-
Iperience In foreign countries,
land an utter phony In interna-
tional affairs"
Mr.. Ball noted that he had
signed the letter with Thomas
K. Finletter Of New York, Sec
retary Of the Air Force in the
Truman administration.
| He told the committee the
letter was written In o po-
litical campaign and was in
tended to deflate what ! con-
sidered undue emphasis put, on
the experience ISSUE"
| The letter said that Mr.
Nixon's claim to superior expe-
rience In the foreign policy
areas Is based on myth and
misconception."
II contended that Mr.. Nixon
had betrayed astonishing and
sometimes embarrassing ignor-
ance" even Of Eisenhower ad-
ministration policies on occa-
sion.
Nixon, Kennedy Compared
The letter said Mr.. Nixon had
no foreign policy experience
before he began to SIT in the
cabinet in 1858, but that John
r. Kennedy. who subsequently
beat Mr.. Nixon for the presi-
dency, as q young man before
World War II had written an
Important book on Great Bri-
tain's role In the world.
Another nominee up for hear.
ing today was former Gov. q.
Mennen williams Of Michigan.
picked for Assistant Secretary
Of State for African Affairs.
Only TIVE Had Opposition
He could take comfort from
the speed with which the SEN
ate acted yesterday IN confirm
ling l6 Of President Kennedy's
other nominations for high
Government posts without q
|roll call vote.
| Only two, Chester Bowles, for
Undersecretary Of State. and
John B. Connally. jr., for Sec
retary Of the Navy. had any
opposition.
Senate Republican Leader
Dirksen said:
Republicans may even ex-
anime the last few years Of his
iMr. Williams) administration
as Governor and his fiscal
policies and inquire what ex-
perience he has to qualify him
for the African assignment"
Also appearing today were
Roger w. Jones. for Deputy
Undersecretary Of State, and
Murat williams, o career For
eign Service officer nominated
by President Eisenhower to be
Ambassador to Fl Salvador.
| s Bowles Il Target
Mr.. Bowles, former Connect
icut Governor. one.time Am
bassador to India and o Demo-
cratic member Of the House
last session, was the target Of
five Republican speeches. Some
said they feared he might lean
toward O two China" policy
that would recognize Red
China on the mainland and the
Nationalists as rulers Of For
mosa only.
Senator Proxmire. Democrat
Of Wisconsin. spoke against the
nomination Of Mr.. Connally,
former executive Of the oil en-
pire Of the late Sid w. Rich
srdson. Texas multimillionaire
Others Praise Connally
Senator Proxmire said the
appointment Of Mr.. Connally.
la former administrative assist
ant to Vice President johnson
and manager Of Mr.. Johnson's
Democratic presidential nomi-
nation campaign, involved q
conflict Of interests"
But most Democrats and Re-
Ipublcans praised Mr.. Connally
as q Navy hero, q great patriot
and Q man likely to become
IAN outstanding Secretary Of
the Navy" s,>t
| Senator Morse. Democrat Of
Oregon. who criticized the Con-
nally nomination Friday. was
away yesterday.