Politics: ABM and the Party Line

The national debate over the Ad ministration's proposed Safeguard antiballistic missile grows more intense as a congressional decision approaches.

Last week President Nixon reiterated his position that Safeguard is essential to keep the U.S. from "falling into a sec ond-class or inferior position vis-à-vis the Soviet Union." Nixon warned his ABM adversaries: "I am going to fight as hard as I can for it."

Maryland's Representative Rogers C. B. Morton, newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, was enlisted to help the President fight by having the committee develop speeches and background material backing ABM. Senate Republicans who oppose the ABM bitterly condemned Morton's move. Illinois' Charles Percy charged the party leader with trying to develop a "loyalty test" over the issue.

Morton retreated, allowing as how the National Committee would be glad to help publicize opposition views as well. Nixon insisted that he respects the views of ABM opponents and does not regard the issue as a partisan one. But he does not really want Morton to move away from open partisanship, will expect greater party solidarity than he is now getting on Safeguard. Despite Nixon's avowed respect for ABM dissenters, he confirmed a decision not to name Cornell Vice President Franklin Long, a noted chemist, to head the Na tional Science Foundation, because Long opposes the ABM.