Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-12-05
The New President,
Needs Some Time


dency following assassination and made what
could be called outstanding record Only time and
events will tell whether President Lyndon Baines
Johnson win be exception to the lack-lustre
record made so far by all of his predecessors except
one. In a the main thing the new President
needs is some time
In another sense Mr.. Johnson is fortunate that
John Kennedy had caught the imagination of the
world and the majority of Americans and was by
present day standards doing good job in a very
difficult office. The JFK legislative aims for the
balance Of his term Of office clearly defined
that if Mr. Johnson plans to press for their frition
and enactment into law, he will be in the fortunate
position of not having to start entire program
anew.
In his first two addresses to the nation via the
joint session Of the Congress and the Thanksgiving
Day opportunity, President johnson said things in
a firm resolute voice that struck responsive note
in the hearts Of those Americans who had some rep-
idation about his actual feeling and views of civil
rights, and those who know the nation must face its
most dvtsve domestic problem
President johnson, in his message to Congress
appealing but firm ON the civil rights question
in which most readers of this paper are virtually in
terested. The greatest applause which he received
when he spoke to the congressional leaders was when
chief executive wanted laws written which would
protest the basic rights of the most humble Negro
in rural Mississippi.
He drew splendid applause when he dwelled on
the need TO drive hatred and its concomtant evils
from the land Such applause may herald the
desire and determination of the most reluctant
members Of Congress to come to grips with the
issue.
Again in his Thanksgiving Day address from
the White House the President returned to the
theme that intolerance and bigotry too e,pen-
sve for the country to continue to tolerate.
1t should be admitted until the day Lyndon
Johnson took office as President there were and
still many Negro Americans who view his
statements position and actions with something less
than trust. His statements far have been reas-
suring. And also anyone who has taken the time 10
observe and read will learn that johnson as chair
of the Presidents Committee for CONTRACT
Comphances made a record against job discrimna-
ton by firms holding US. contracts which is cred
tied with providing Negroes with 10000 jobs at
their highest skills in industry In similar role
under Eisenhower Wce-Presdent Nixon Northern
dismal failure
Many could observe that Mrs Lyndon johnson
has included the wives of US Officials who are Ne
gro in her social affairs. Others will remember that
Carl T. Rowan, Ambassador to Finland who
has never hesitated to condemn race discrimination
from platform public, stage and in his writings is
close to the President and that there are other
young non-compromisng Negroes like Howard
Woods Of st. Louis and Detroit attorney Hobart
Taylor of Detroit and Washington who are high on
the list Of the new President.
This newspaper believes visitor Friday, No
no Nrrn4k-
the President is indication of the rights position
of the President. That visitor was Roy Wilkins
of the NAACP, the organization upon which all
southern racsts groups vent their ire Wilkins audi
ence with the new President is just a sign Of the
way the winds blow with the new occupant at the
White House.
Even all OF the circumstances we have men
toned before do not tell the full story for believe
that Presidents largely nodded by the times and
events No matter who Is in the White House he Is
bound to be influenced by the issues which face the
United States and the world today.
In such a situation the man in office will either
accept the challenge of the day and give leadership
TO resolving the problems which face the nation or
not. There is small hiding place for President He
is either voice to which all turn for leadership
victim of the tides Of time unable to stem the stormy
seas which would swamp the ship Of state.
Lyndon Johnson is ideally fitted we believe for
the heavy task he has assumed. His long service In
the Congress, his political know-how and his dsposi-
ton and philosophy provide the possibility of the
man from Texas maldng great President. Certainly
Of now-most loyal Americans shocked momen-
tarly by the tragic death of President Kennedy are
prepared to put aside partisan politics long enough
for the country's sake to wish President johnson
we'll.