National Affairs: Harry Won't Quite Say

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By all appearances, the old pol in the White House has been having himself a wonderful time keeping everyone guessing about whether or not he will run again for the presidency. Harry Truman began the fun almost a year ago, when he told newsmen that he had made up his mind and in due time would let them know about it.

Last week the game of now-you-see-'em-now-you-don't hit such a dizzy pace that even its master player tried to call it quits.

Illinois' aged (85) Congressman Adolph Sabath emerged from the President's office and gave waiting correspondents the latest teasing hint from Harry Truman. According to the Congressman, the President said: "I have had seven years of it, and it's been a trying job ... I would prefer to lay aside the burdens and responsibilities . . . The only thing that can make me run is if I feel it is in the interest of my country and the peace of the world."

Truman well knew what to expect a couple of days later when the newsmen trooped into his weekly press conference. Here it comes, he cracked, as the first question was raised. Then, allowing himself to be directly quoted, he called off the guessing game:

"We don't want to make this thing ridiculous. I have carefully and conscientiously tried to answer all your questions . . . But it seems to me that it is about time now for you to wait until I get ready to make the necessary announcement . . .

"I don't want to confuse you ... It is a difficult decision for me to make ... I have said all to you that I am going to say on this subject ... It is not in any spirit of not wanting to cooperate with you. But I am not ready to make the announcement. When I get ready you shall have it."

This statement seemed to reverse Truman's repeated assertions that he had made up his mind long ago. The truth probably is that he has made up his mind on a contingent basis—and the contingencies are not yet clear. Also, Truman has nothing much to gain by an early announcement. Whenever he wants it, the master of the world's greatest mass of patronage can get the nomination. His power to pass the nomination on to a man of his choice is less firm. The longer he delays announcement of his own intentions, the harder it will be to organize opposition to his choice.