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Editorial
April 8, 1952
The News And Views
Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes Truman administration's weakening authority in April 1952 amid 1952 election, Republican indecision, Korean War casualties, defense budget, and resignations of Wilson over steel strike and McGrath over privacy invasion.
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The American method of a fixed
Presidential election every four
years was unquestionably designed
by the founders of our country to
prevent anyone from being the head
of the state too long without reference to the voters. In times like
these, the stress of this quadrennial
election can be very costly. The
world does not stop because Tru-
man desires to retire.
The United States is at present
engaged in what seems to be a
forgotten war: yet one that has re-
sulted in over 106,000 casualties; it
is engaged in a vast preparation
for war involving a budget that ap-
proaches $100,000,000. The precari-
ousness of national defense affects
every citizen's living standard.
None of this can be arrested be-
cause the Republicans cannot de-
cide between Eisenhower and Taft.
Yet it is becoming clear that the
authority of
an administration
which must stand until January 20,
1953 is already in April, 1952 so
weakened that two principal offi-
ces of government, Charles E. Wil-
son, in charge of war mobilization
of the national economy, and the
Attorney General, J. Howard Mc-
Grath, resign in anger and indig-
ation. And there may be others
who feel that they would prefer to
be away from the center of a
political earthquake.
Wilson's resignation had to do
with the forthcoming steel strike,
an event which, in economic terms,
involves an increased velocity of
inflation or a covert capital levy
on a single industry. The assump-
tion must be that what happens to
steel will happen to all American
industries and therefore Wilson
could not be a party to either more
inflation or a capital levy. Mc-
Grath's dismissal or resignation,
as you please, was related to the
use of a device of investigation
which, no matter how functional
for a specific purpose, can invade
the privacy of an unaccused, unin-
dicted citizen and therefore place
another limitation upon the guaran-
teed freedom of the individual.
The Wilson and McGrath instanc-
es, viewed objectively, produce the
impression of desperation in gov-
ernment and of a lack of form and
order in the Presidency. Mr. Tru-
man may be tired; he may be dis-
tressed by the corruption and po-
litical pressures that beset him.
His public quarrel with his own At-
torney General at an airport to
which they went to receive a na-
tional guest displayed a lack of
self-control and personal dignity
unexpected in men of their respon-
Presidential election every four
years was unquestionably designed
by the founders of our country to
prevent anyone from being the head
of the state too long without reference to the voters. In times like
these, the stress of this quadrennial
election can be very costly. The
world does not stop because Tru-
man desires to retire.
The United States is at present
engaged in what seems to be a
forgotten war: yet one that has re-
sulted in over 106,000 casualties; it
is engaged in a vast preparation
for war involving a budget that ap-
proaches $100,000,000. The precari-
ousness of national defense affects
every citizen's living standard.
None of this can be arrested be-
cause the Republicans cannot de-
cide between Eisenhower and Taft.
Yet it is becoming clear that the
authority of
an administration
which must stand until January 20,
1953 is already in April, 1952 so
weakened that two principal offi-
ces of government, Charles E. Wil-
son, in charge of war mobilization
of the national economy, and the
Attorney General, J. Howard Mc-
Grath, resign in anger and indig-
ation. And there may be others
who feel that they would prefer to
be away from the center of a
political earthquake.
Wilson's resignation had to do
with the forthcoming steel strike,
an event which, in economic terms,
involves an increased velocity of
inflation or a covert capital levy
on a single industry. The assump-
tion must be that what happens to
steel will happen to all American
industries and therefore Wilson
could not be a party to either more
inflation or a capital levy. Mc-
Grath's dismissal or resignation,
as you please, was related to the
use of a device of investigation
which, no matter how functional
for a specific purpose, can invade
the privacy of an unaccused, unin-
dicted citizen and therefore place
another limitation upon the guaran-
teed freedom of the individual.
The Wilson and McGrath instanc-
es, viewed objectively, produce the
impression of desperation in gov-
ernment and of a lack of form and
order in the Presidency. Mr. Tru-
man may be tired; he may be dis-
tressed by the corruption and po-
litical pressures that beset him.
His public quarrel with his own At-
torney General at an airport to
which they went to receive a na-
tional guest displayed a lack of
self-control and personal dignity
unexpected in men of their respon-
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Economic Policy
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
Presidential Election
Truman Administration
Resignations
Steel Strike
Forgotten War
Inflation
National Defense
What entities or persons were involved?
Truman
Eisenhower
Taft
Charles E. Wilson
J. Howard Mcgrath
Republicans
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Truman Administration's Weakening Authority During 1952 Presidential Election
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Administration Desperation And Lack Of Order
Key Figures
Truman
Eisenhower
Taft
Charles E. Wilson
J. Howard Mcgrath
Republicans
Key Arguments
Fixed Presidential Elections Every Four Years Prevent Prolonged Leadership Without Voter Reference
Quadrennial Election Stress Is Costly Amid Ongoing War And Defense Preparations
Republican Indecision Between Eisenhower And Taft Hampers Governance
Administration Authority Weakened By April 1952, Leading To Key Resignations
Wilson Resigned Over Steel Strike Implications For Inflation Or Capital Levy
Mcgrath's Resignation Related To Investigative Device Invading Privacy
Resignations Indicate Government Desperation And Presidential Lack Of Form
Truman's Public Quarrel Shows Lack Of Self Control And Dignity