Evening star., 1961-01-18


satisfy, both conservatives and
liberaE-most of the time.
Expects Differences
AS q Republican, he antici-
pates differences of opinion
within Mr.. Kennedy's Demo-
cratic administration, just as
there have been disputes within
President Eisenhower's official
family. But he is sure that a
synthesis of opposing opinions
will result in a balanced eco
lnomic program.
Mr.. Dillon. 81. helped draft
Mr.. Eisenhower for the presi-
Dental race in 1852. then
served him as Ambassador to
France and as Undersecretary
Of State. He was a leading pros
pect for appointment as Secre-
tary of State in the event Vice
President Nixon had won last
November's election.
President-elect Kennedy, who
assailed the Eisenhower admin
istration's economic policies all
through the campaign. reached
into the G. o. p. and selected
Mr.. Dillon to fill his admins
tration's key economic post as
Treasury Secretary.
Opposed by Some
Some Republicans opposed
the appointment. partly be-
cause they could not see how a
Republican believing in fiscal
prudence could support what
they considered reckless"
Democratic programs. Other
Republicans. such as Senator
Bush Of Connecticut. we're
pleased because they count on
Mr.. Dillon to lay a "steadying
hand" on the Kennedy admin
istration.
But Mr.. Dillon sees no evi-
dence that Mr.. Kennedy will
need any steadying. The PreSi-
dent-elect has assured him that
he advocates sound policies. Mr..
Dillon and Mr.. Kennedy have
achieved general agreement on
economic goals and financial
responsibility.
Associates Of the President
elect join Mr.. Dillon in soothing
at the idea that Mr.. Kennedy
Is q wild man in economics.
And they believe Mr.. Dillon is
q lot more liberal than one
might expect after looking at
his Republicanism, his career
as an investment banker and
his millions.
Opinions Vary
An influential member OF the
Kennedy camp observes that
"all Of us are now restrained"
in pursuing liberal economic
policies because the dollar is
having international difficult
ties. Another Of Mr.. Kennedy's
associates. who judges that
Dillon probably Is not much
more conservative than the
President-elect," m ain t q in S
that Kennedy would not have
picked a Republican unless
there were compensating vir-
tues"
A well-known international
banker considers Mr.. Dillon a
moderate" and remarks: II
don't believe Doug Dillon will
ever be liberal enough to suit
the extreme liberals. Whether
it will be a happy, successful
marriage depends on whether
Mr.. Kennedy backs him up"
At any rate, he adds, II feel
very comfortable with Dillon in
there" This source reports
that Mr.. Dillon is highly re-
garded in European financial
circles and they hope he will
be able to continue the policies
that were pursued by the Eli
senhower administration"
There is some suspicion
among Washington cynics that
the President-elect hopes to
use Mr.. Dillon as a front man
to allay the fears of conserva-
tives in the United States and
abroad, who generally have
more confidence in Republi-
cans than in Democrats.
Dillon is not usable." Sena-
tor Bush snaps in reply.
Next to brilliant" and hard
working" the word associates
use most often to describe Mr.
Dillon is "flexible"-and that
may be the key to their con-
fidence that he will do just
fine on the Democratic New
Frontier"
An admirer, recalling Mr.
Dillon's service as Ambassador
to France, comments that che
saw the French Cabinet col.
lapse because two or three mer
stood pat. so naturally he il
impressed with the dangers tc
democracy Of having unbend.
ing men in authority"
Flexibility Criticized
But another associate in tn
State Department, criticizinI
Mr.. Dillon for too much flexi
bility, complains: II think h
has a tendency to compromis
too easily. He seems to figur
that If you can't lick 'em joil
en-"
One source OF this criticism
was Mr.. Dillon's stand on
foreign aid program coupl
of years ago. The State Depart
ment was eager to obtain leg