Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14


Between interruptions Ethel
is saying:
THAT ruthless story is so
misleading. Bobby can be so
sensitive, so compassionate"
Sure He's Misunderstood
She is sure most people don't
understand him at all.
"All sides occur to Bobby, too.
But it's more his nature to get
right into it. He's a doer."
Bobby is such a doer that
one very tired friend has said:
Even when the guy goes on
vacation he's always planning
on doing things. You know, I
bet he never stretched out and
summed on the beach in his
life. He always has to be do
ing something"
But in his official life there's
room for argument over
whether he does enough or too
much.
In civil rights Southerners
may think he goes far too fast
while some Negro leaders may
find the pace dismally slow.
Clarence Mitchell, who d.
reefs the Washington office OF
the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored
People, credits Bobby with this
almost impossible political feat,
Managing to keep Negroes
happy (their votes are essen
tial in presidential elections)
and still avoiding the riling Of
Southern Congressman (theil
votes are needed in getting leg
iSlation the President wants..
Pays a Compliment
Although Mr.. Mitchell be.
lieves the Attorney General is
far too cautious in civil right,
his job would scarcely permit
him to think otherwise - HI
pays Bobby a compliment un,
usual in Washington.
HE doesn't act as If HI
knows everything" Mr.. Mitch,
ell says. land he is always will
ing to listen"
Judging by what some critics
have written about Mr.. Ken
nedy, they seem to fear he hai
seasonal convictions. changea
BILE with the political weather.
that his actions are dictated b.
politics.
1t is in the field Of civi
liberties that these doubts ar
stressed.
These critics look back to hi.
early associations with tn
late Senator Mccarthy. AL
though his explanation may no
satisfy many liberals, Mr.. Ken
nedy has always contendet
Senator Mccarthy was led as
tray into hunting headlines in
stead of Communists.
And he has been quoted a
saying Of Senator Mccarthy:
II liked him and yet at time
he was terribly heavy-handec
He was q very complicate
character"
Critics Cite Jobs
His critics also point on
that he has worked as inves
tigating counsel and as Attor
ney General, roles never re
= nowned for guarding individ
: ual liberties.
They stress that he wants
/, overlapping bill. Es.p
Although those who favor SUI
, pervised overlapping call thi
THE most single valuabl
weapon in the fight against or
ganized crime" possibly n,
other piece of legislation cause
, such alarm. "A dirty business,
it has been called. IAN intol'
cradle violation of civil liber.
ties"
Bobby shrugs.
Most critics haven't ever
read the bill" he says.
His abruptness contributes
to the impression he makes. Ir
this town, when a simple ques-
ton can produce an intermina-
BILE reply, Bobby Kennedy has
kept his no-nonsenSe habits.
What Lies Ahead?
And what Of the futureP
What is ahead for the brother
smack in the middle?
Events may bring a quick
switch, but here are q few
guesses:
/. Despite the talk about
Bobby Kennedy aiming for the
White House in 1868, 1t has
to be labeled pure speculation.
This isn't due TO modesty but
to practically.
2. For the present, he will
stay on as Attorney General.
1t is a convenient spot from
which to be tapped for those ex-
tracurricular chores the Presi-
dent wants done, and It has
been challenging in its own
right.
There still is plenty Of work
10 be done. To use but one
example, despite hot words