Evening star. [volume], August 01, 1951, Page A-11, Image 11

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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•*
David Lawrence:
This Certainly Isn't Fair Play
Truman Used Major Networks to Put Across Political Speech
At Supposedly Non-Partisan Ceremony in Detroit
The party in power has a
tremendous advantage in the
influence it wields in preju
dicing public opinion, but this
advantage was never better il
lustrated than in the circum
stances under which President
Truman delivered his speech
last Saturday in Detroit.
Here was a supposedly non
partisan ceremony—the cele
bration of the 250th anniversary
of the founding of the city of
Detroit. All the major radio
networks and television stations
turned over their facilities freely
so that the President’s address
might be carried in full.
This privilege is given a Presi
dent on the assumption that
his speeches are non-political.
Otherwise, he would have to pay
for broadcast time, just as do
spokesmen or candidates of po
litical parties.
But what did Mr. Truman do
with the facilities given him for
a non-political address? Using
the familiar technique of attack
on unnamed groups of his op
ponents, he assailed those who
disagree with him and reviewed
the record of the Democratic
Party with a boastfulness about
its achievements that was un
mistakably partisan.
Although a Republican Sena
tor, Homer Ferguson of Michi
gan, was the man who invited
the President to come tr De
troit for the occasion, accom
panied him by plane on the trip
from Washington and sat on the
platform during the address,
here is what Mr. Truman, after
discussing the unemployment
situation in the auto industry,
said in that speech:
"In working on this problem,
the defense agencies have been
getting a lot of help from some
of your able union leaders, w ho
have been making very construc
tive suggestions. Detroit manu
facturers have also offered some
first-class ideas. And I want to
assure you that Charlie Wilson,
and the Department of Defense,
and the other defense agencies
are just as concerned about this
problem as you are. and are do
ing their best to solve it.
“One reason I am sure they
are going to keep on doing their
best is because of your new Sen
ator, Blair Moody. That fellow
is a go-getter, and he bothers
nearly everybody in Washington
to death, trying to get things for
Detroit.”
Not a word did Mr. Truman
say about the existence of the
Republican Senator from Mich
igan — Homer Ferguson — who
hails from Detroit, and who is
one of the most conscientious
public servants in the Senate,
devoted to the interests of his
State.
Now if Mr. Truman wanted to
pay a deserved compliment to
the able Blair Moody—who
comes up for election in a few
months—he has ample oppor
tunities to do that in the cus
tomary ways of politics. To in
, terpolate a reference obviously
of a political nature in a non
political speech was to violate
the understanding which the
broadcasting companies have
that addresses by the President
will be non-political. If they
are political, it isn't customary
for the broadcasting networks to
clear all their stations of other
programs for the President un
less they give equal facilities to
opponents.
The record of the broadcast
ing companies in this respect is
subject to some criticism. Usual
ly after a President's speech on
politics, they select some op
ponent for a reply broadcast but
not necessarily the most effec
tive speaker, nor do they clear
all the networks to present such
a program simultaneously.
Thus, for instance, President
Truman banged away at General
MacArthur in his Detroit spsech,
although he didn’t mention the
general by name. A week be
fore, on the other hand, when
General MacArthur spoke before
the Massachusetts Legislature,
his address was not carried on
many radio stations, and only
one television network gave a
view of the occasion and then
only by film an hour after the
speech was delivered. Yet it
was one of the most newsworthy
speeches delivered this year re
flecting an opposition viewpoint.
The broadcasting companies
are controlled in a sense by the
party in power, because they are
beholden to the . ederal Com
munications Commission, whose
members are appointed by the
President. Not long ago ? r 1
ing, affecting millions of dol
lars of revenue, on the kind of
color television to be permitted
hereafter was awarded to one
of the broadcasting networks
over the protest of a competing
company. This is an example
of what’s at stake in winning
or losing administration favor.
It is possible, with the vast
control over facilities of broad
casting and television, for the
administration to disseminate
political propaganda and unfair
attacks, just as the President
did at Detroit, without ade
quate facilities being given to
anyone else on the other side
to reach the same audience in
reply. This certainly isn’t fair
play.
(Reproduction Rights Reserved)
Doris Fleeson:
Talent in Battle Against Reds
President Plans to Consider Move to Name Ralph Bunche
As Next United States Ambassador to Russia
The move to make Ralph
Bunche, noted Negro diplomat
now serving with the United
Nations, the next United States
Ambassador to Russia is still a
creation of the politicians. They
have interested the Truman
staff, however, and have assur
ances that the President will
consider it.
It is not the first suggestion
that this country should make
more spectacular use of Mr.
Bunche s recognized talents in
the battle against Communism.
When Averell Harriman, who is
now mediating the Iran oil dis
pute for the President, retired
as Ambassador to Moscow, he
proposed Mr. Bunche as his suc
cessor.
Since then increasing use of
the color issue in Asia against
the Western world, especially
since China fell to the Reds,
has seemed to many to offer a
powerful reason for moving Mr.
Bunche to the front lines. Sen
ator Moody. Michigan Demo
crat. the latest politico to push
the idea, insists that in Moscow,
“Ambassador Bunche would be a
living refutation to Communist
racial propaganda against the
United States."
The State Department is
wary. Its conscience is clear
about Mr. Bunche. Secretary
Acheson offered him the high
post of Assistant Secretary of
State in charge of Near East
and African Affairs, which Mr.
Bunche refused because he did
not wish to bring up his family
in segregated Washington. It
rejoiced in his work in Pales
tine and pushed him for the
U. N. post he preferred.
It has two fears, however. One
is of appearing to pull irons out
,of the fire for aspiring politi
cians with large Negro voting
blocs. The other is of setting
precedents for naming im
portant officials because they
represent important racial or
religious minorities.
Several months ago a Negro
delegation called on the Sec
retary of State and in some
what peremptory tones insisted
that more Negroes should have
better diplomatic posts. A fast
man with a touchy question, Mr.
Acheson quietly expressed dis
appointment that they did not
stress the issue of quality rather
than equality.
He said that he had asked
Mr. Bunche to be an Assist
ant Secretary because he con
sidered him the best qualified
man for the job in view. He
added he would always try to
appoint the best qualified men,
regardless of color.
The middlemen of this pulling
and hauling are found at the
Democratic National Committee.
They score Mr. Acheson as a
fair and knowledgeable cabinet
officer; they don't give State*
lower echelons much change..
When Mr. Bunche s name was
proposed for Russia by Mr. Har
riman, some State officials ex
pressed fear that the Reds would
“cater” to him and thus “spoil
him.” Mr. Bunches friends do
not deny that he strongly re
sents segregation in the Nation's
Capital, but they believe that
comment reflects only a fear
growing out of a guilty con
science over some aspects of the
Negro’s status in America.
Latest traveler to discover
how ably the Communists ex
ploit U. S. color prejudice is
Gov. Dewey of New York. Speak
ing to leading Malayan and
Singapore citizens at a Singa
pore luncheon in his honor.
Gov. Dewey said he was "shocked
to find an incident of racial
prejudice Involving a few hun
dred people out of 150,000,000
people is front-page news in
Singapore and elsewhere and
considered worthy of a four
column photograph on page
one.” He was referring to the
recen(. race riot in Cicero, the
Chicago suburb.
It’s Gov. Dewey’s first visit
to the Far East. Asian news
papers regularly give huge play
to U. S. Negro and race prob
lems, almost none to the tre
mendous advancement of Ne
groes.
Thomas L. Stokes:
Pauley Inquiry in '46 Recalled
House Passage of Submerged Coastal Lands Bill Shows
Oil Is Not Choosy Between Political Parties '
Sometimes it is helpful, in
trying to find the meaning of
events today, to go back for pos
sible clues to past events.
There is, for example, a bit
of interesting history, somewhat
circumstantial it is true, which
may throw some light on the
bill passed again this week by
the House to turn oack to the
States submerged coastal lands
within their bounds. If this ^
measure should finally become
law it would, as we know', set
aside Supreme Court decisions
proclaiming the paramount in
terest of the Federal Govern
ment in such lands as part of
the recognized public domain
belonging to all of the people.
Oil, of course, is the story
here, in particular the rich oil
deposits in submerged lands of
three States—Texas, Louisiana
and California—estimated to be
worth some $40 billion. The
coastal oil potential is large,
w'ith prospecting now going on
in waters of other States.
Like submerged coastal lands,
politics often carries a rich
JIJIAI/UIC VI Ull. k-IU 15 oroau
minded. It is not choosy be
tween political parties. It is
cozy with both our major par
t ties, contributes to the cam
paign funds of each and, for
this, expects dividends.
Let’s go back a few years,
back to 1946, back to a senato
rial inquiry into the nomination
by President Truman of Edwin
A. Pauley, California oil man,
to be Secretary of the Navy—an
inquiry prompted by a series of
articles by able and energetic
Edward A. Harris of the St.
Louis Post - Dispatch bureau
here for which he w’on a Pu
litzer Prize.
Mr. Pauley, former treasurer
of the Democratic National
Committee, had a substantial
Interest in submerged oil lands.
At the time of this inquiry the
Justice Department’s suit to
confirm Federal title to such
lands was pending in the Su
preme Court. Already, in antic
ipation of the Supreme Court
decision, the House had passed
a bill for State control to beat
fc, the court to the draw. ^
•
At the inquiry into Mr.
Pauley s nomination, the then
Secretary of Interior Harold L.
Ickes created quite a sensation,
as may be recalled. He testi
fied under oath that Mr. Pauley
had told him in his (Mr. Ickes-)
office some time before that
filing of the suit would be bad
politically, and that, if it were
withheld, several hundred thou
sand dollars could be raised for
the Democratic Party among
California oil men. Mr. Ickes
referred to his diary for his
testimony.
Subsequently, also under oath,
Mr. Pauley denied this, as he
did other charges that he had
exerted his influence in other
quarters to stop the Govern
ment suit and to push the nulli
fying bill through Congress.
So that was that—considerable
smoke, at least. Not long after
ward, Harold Ickes’ resignation
was accepted. Also Mr. Pauley’s
nomination was withdrawn by
President Truman at Mr
Pauley’s request.
However all that might be,
it was no secret that oil inter
ests were plumping for State
control, and that is still what
they want. They won an over
whelming victory in the House
this week, 265 to 109 for State
control, well over the two-thirds
to override a presidential veto.
The aim now is to get as big a
showing as possible in the Sen
i—
ate, which passed the measure
once before. President Truman
vetoed it, and it has been pre
sumed he would do so again.
Recently a new and sound
solution has been offered, spon
sored in the Senate by Senator
Lister Hill, Democrat, of Ala
bama and 10 other Senators.
This is to turn royalties from
lease of submerged oil lands into
the Federal Treasury, beyond
37 Vi per cent to the States
where it is found, to be used for
public education for the whole
Nation. This proposal, when
offered in the House by Repre
sentative Mansfield, Democrat,
of Alabama, was shouted down
by voice vote. It is to be pressed
vigorously in the Senate.
It would be fine if that body
would pass it but, if not, it gives
the President an alternative to
indorse strongly when, and if,
he vetoes the State control
measure. It is not radical or
revolutionary. Over 100 years
ago John Quincy Adams, a mem
ber of the House after he retired
from the Presidency, and no
radical, proposed that revenues
from all public lands be used
for education. In the Lincoln
administration a Republican
Congress went part way in the
Morrill Act providing for land
grant colleges.
This is a good time to catch
up some more with John Quincy
Adams.
• j—. ...u- - ■
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*
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—1
Fletcher Knebel:
Potomac Fever
With time running out, President Truman signs the new price
control law. He was up against the gun, and you'll be reaching
for the ceiling too, pardner.
* * * •
The Army explains Secretary Pace’s statement that we might
be in World War IH at ‘‘any moment” by noting that Pace wras
testifying for the Army's 1952 budget. The world situation always
looks blackest just before the dawn of another fiscal year in the red.
* * * *
Twelve California Communists are indicted for seeking to
overthrow' the Government by violence. In this country you're
not supposed to get violent against the Government until you're
officially nominated in a Republican primary.
The Atomic Energy Commission reports progress toward atom
driven submarines and planes. You always feel like cheering
at progress reports from the atomic commission so you won't
hear your knees knocking.
* * * *
Secretary Matthews, bids farewell to the Navy, Commissioner
Schoeneman to the Internal Revenue Bureau and Representative
Gossett of Texas to the House. Washington is a great town for
celebrations and leave-takings. In fact, some Government em
ployes take a little leave after every celebration.
* * * *
Gen. Collins tells Senators that Spain is going to get some
arms aid this year. After all. Franco's people have to earn their
bread by the sweat of his brow-beating.
* * * *
Chairman Celler of the House Monopoly Committee warns
major league baseball to take in Western teams or face anti
trust action. Organized baseball may have no ceilings in the
affections of the people, but it certainly has its Celler.
[TROUSERS j
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John C. Henry: ^ %
Nightmares in Peace Planning
State Department Heads Expect Russians Will Throw Up
Road Block at Coming Japanese Treaty Ceremonies
State Department officials are
fearful today that the next con
versational road block to be
thrown up by the Russians will
be at the Japanese Treaty cere
monies.
At this point the Russians
have not even accepted the in
vitation to be present in San
Francisco during the week of
September 3. There have, how
ever, been some straws in the
wind to indicate their intention
of being on hand. Gromyko,
for example, was pleasantly
polite when the official invita
tion was extended, inquiring
about expected length of the
sessions, size of delegations, and
so forth. In the past 10.days
it is known that the Russians
have been sounding out some
of the other members of the Far
East Commission on the make
up of their delegations.
Washington has been hoping
for a short and harmonious
ceremony extending from Tues
day afternoon, September 4,
through the climactic signing of
the treaty on Saturday morning.
President Truman is expected
to attend and to speak. All dele
gation heads will have the
privilege of speaking, of course,
but it is hoped at the State De
partment that this opportunity
will not lead to debate on the
substantive provisions ot the
treaty. If the Russians choose
to attend, the party very likely
w’ill take on a different com
plexion.
One of the mild nightmares
haunting the Washington plan
ners is that the Korean peace
talks may string along until
treaty time, when an atmosphere
of benign agreement may take
possession of the Red nego
tiators. An outbreak of complete
peace on the eve of the treaty
ceremonies could give a Russian
delegation fine opportunity to
press the issue of Communist
China and North Korea repre
sentation at the pact table.
While such a proposal could
not collect a majority of voting
support from the 50 or so dele
gations expected, it could pre
cipitate a protracted wrangle,
perhaps requests for a recess
pending instructions from home
governments and a general up
setting of hopes for quiet har
mony.
Meanwhile, the current draft
of the treaty continues in cir
culation among the interested
nations with a target date of
August 13 set for the launching
of a “final” draft. Reaction
thus far has not deviated sub
stantially from the expected.
The Philippines are generally
unhappy, mostly over the rep
arations issue, and may not
even sign. India, rather con
sistently disapproving Western
conduct in Asiatic affairs these
days, has proposed several
amendments.
Despite these and other reser
vations, no major overhauling of
the document is likely. The
United States Government feels
that it was the principal par
ticipant in the war against Ja
pan, that the cost to us in
money and casualties was high,
that we have spent liberally in
money and effort to assist the
rehabilitation not only of Japan
but of most of the other nations
affected and that we have
earned the right to assume
Fin*
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leadership in establishing the
formula for peace in the Pacific.
This realistically tough line of
reasoning was laid on the table
in recent weeks in London and
Paris, to the end result that the
British government is now a co
sponsor of the treaty draft and
the French have indicated their
own approval of the terms.
Other qualms have been allayed
by formulation of a three-way
security pact between the
United States, Australia and
New Zealand,
If the signing goes off as
scheduled, there will still be a
lapse of time before the required
ratification makes the treaty
effective. By provision of the
document the effective date is
reached when a majority of tha
signatories, necessarily includ
ing the United States, have rati
fied. In our case, ratification by
the Senate is not expected until
a new session of Congress con
venes in January.
Constantine Brown is on
vacation.
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