Columnists: Mr. Conservative Bows Out

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After ten years of writing a thrice-weekly political column, Barry Goldwater brought it to an end last week. He was writing his last column, he said, because he was becoming "more politically active" in Arizona—meaning that he plans to run for Carl Hayden's Senate seat this year. Not only had he become too busy to write, he said, but so had the "three marvelous people" who had been helping him with the column: "Stephen Shadegg, who has turned into a successful author; Tony Smith, who was on my staff for many years; and my old standby Karl Hess, who is now turning more of his time and talent into becoming a sculptor."

Goldwater had a clear conscience about deserting the ranks of conservative columnists because so many others had joined up. "Conservatism," he wrote, "is receiving almost equal billing with liberal writers who have for so long dominated the editorial pages of our country's newspapers." He even had a kind word for certain liberals. "I have a strong feeling that a new liberal philosophy will grow in this country based more upon the thinking of men like Daniel Moynihan and Max Lerner."

The Los Angeles Times, which syndicated Goldwater, was sorry to see him go. Though the number of papers carrying him had dropped from a peak of 110 in 1963 to 75, it included more large metropolitan dailies. Replacing Goldwater in the Times is none other than Everett M. Dirksen, who will write one column a week. For his debut, Dirksen muted his usual flamboyance and delivered a somber little lecture on international politics. Even though India is "liberal and leftish," he wrote, even though she has seized tiny Goa, harassed Pakistan and hobbled free enterprise, she has one thing going for her: size. Therefore, suggested Dirksen, U.S. economic aid should be continued.