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Article Title: The Eisenhower Campaign of 1952: The Letters of Homer Gruenther

Full Citation: Richard L Gruenther and Robert H Ferrell, eds, “The Eisenhower Campaign of 1952: The Letters of Homer Gruenther,” Nebraska History 69 (1988): 30-39

URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH1988HGruenther.pdf Date: 9/13/2013

Article Summary: Homer Gruenther was Eisenhower’s “man Friday.” His letters to his brother Alfred describe the 1952 Republican national convention that nominated Eisenhower and the campaign’s whistle stop train trips.

Cataloging Information:

Names: Homer Gruenther, Alfred Gruenther, Dwight D Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhauer, Mrs John S (Elivera) Doud, Senator Frederick A Seaton, Richard Nixon, Sherman Adams, Arthur H Vandenberg Jr, Robert A Taft, James Byers Black, William F Knowland, Harry Butcher, Kevin McCann, Bob Cutler, Adlai Stevenson

Keywords: Homer Gruenther, Dwight D Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhauer, Mrs John S (Elivera) Doud, Frederick A Seaton, Richard Nixon, Republican national convention

Photographs / Images: Gruenther assisting Ike with a whistlestop speech, Nebraska Senator Fred Seaton, advertisement for Eisenhower/Nixon campaign, Gruenther standing in for Ike on a rapidly moving train platform, Governor Val Peterson with the Eisenhowers in Omaha, Mrs John Doud with her son Ike and daughter-in-law Mamie in Omaha

THE EISENHOWER CAMPAIGN OF 195'2: THE LETTERS OF HOMER GRUENTHER

Edited by Richard L. Gruenther and Robert H. Ferrell

INTRODUCTION campaigners before them, sent their speeches along the way but they were With the Eisenhower-Stevenson candidates across the country aboard besieged by reporters, by politicians campaign in 1952, it now is evident, a railroad trains composed of a long who traveled from one stop to another special era in American presidential string of Pullman and parlor cars and, to confer with the candidates, and by politics came to an end. The supporters at the rear, an observation car with a people who, in a never-ending line of General Dwight D. Eisenhower and gated platform from which the can­ stretching through the train itself, sim­ Adlai E. Stevenson, as had countless didates made speeches. Not long after­ ply wanted to shake hands. ward, with the increasing ease of Television too would profoundly commercial air travel and the introduc­ alter the way future political campaigns tion of jet aircraft, candidates aban­ were conducted. Although the 1952 Richard L. Gruenther is a nephew of Homer Gruenther. Robert H. Ferrell is with doned trains, surely with considerable party conventions were the first to be the history department at the US. Military relief. The trains were often hot, and televised and some speeches were Academy, West Point. the candidates not only had to make broadcast, extensive use of television

Homer Gruenther (left) assists Ike with a whistlestop speech. Courtesy of Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Abilene, Kansas. t I,

Eisenhower Campaign of 1952

by presidential candidates would not children, and the eight children of his occur until later. Like the jet airplane, brother Don, also came to admire the television enabled candidates to uncle who was never too busy to take deliver their message to the public in a the kids to the fair (even a ride in the car far easier way than speaking from the with Homer was exciting) or to treat rear of a train, and politicians were them all to some unusual culinary quick to take advantage of this new experience. And it was notjustthe meal medium. that was different - Uncle Homer's Running a presidential campaign method of payment was unique. He involved a great deal of work and possessed a small money machine. He required able assistants to attend to would roll a plain bill-sized piece of myriad details. One such assistant in white paper into his machine, turn a the 1952 Eisenhower campaign was knob as he discussed the process, and native Nebraskan Homer Gruenther. out came a five-dollar bill. The waitress This tall, robust, intelligent man had could hardly tell it from the real thing. grown up after the turn of the centuryin When Homer insisted that she call the the little town of Platte Center, where manager, the latter always approved his father Christian edited the local the payment, for D.C. storekeepers newspaper, the Signal, participated in easily recognized this fun-loving Democratic politics, and on one occa­ jokester. sion managed the Nebraska presiden­ Homer Gruenther served in the tial campaign of William Jennings Nebraska Senator Fred Seaton cared White House as special assistant to Bryan. As a youth during World War I, for many personnel and scheduling Presidents Eisenhower, John F. Ken­ Homer Gruenther had left high school details aboard the Eisenhower train. nedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Under to enlistin the U.S. Navy. Afterward he Eisenhower he helped with relations was sports editor for the Omaha Daily with Congress. In succeeding Demo­ News and later manager of the Omaha over the radio. He had tried to call first cratic administrations he was relegated bureau of the International News Ser­ but the general's phone was busy ­ to managing White House tours. vice. In 1933 he moved to Washington Eisenhower too had been listening to Whatever the task, the playfulness was as secretary to Congressman Edward the radio and was trying to call there. One of his nephews, "Skip" R. Burke, later a senator. In 1947 he Gruenther. Davidson, a successful New York became secretary to Nebraska Senator As the following letters reveal, broker, arranged for his fiancee to Kenneth S. Wherry. Homer Gruenther was something of a report to the White House gate for a The letters that follow are from character. His relatives remember his VIP tour by Homer himself. She had Homer Gruenther to his brother Alfred fascination with Redskin football never met him. Using the pass that and wife, who in 1952 were living in games in the D.C. (later the RFK) Homer provided, she walked through France where Alfred was chief of staff stadium. Many times he took his the gate and approached a tall man on to General Matthew B. Ridgway, su­ nephew Dick to games, where in effect the White House steps. "I'mlooking for preme commander of the Allied powers he crashed the gate, using his ancient Homer Gruenther," she said. The man in Europe (the NATO commandl.! news reporter's camera and pass, with replied that he was in private con­ General Gruenther would succeed his impressionable nephew in hand. ference with the president and could Ridgway as commander the next year. Uncle Homer usually sat on a bench on not be disturbed. The young lady, Homer's brother Alfred was probably the sidelines, and on more than one crestfallen, withdrew and walked back Eisenhower's closest friend and his occasion this powerfully built man to the gate guard, who had been observ­ inveterate bridge partner. A career threatened fisticuffs with spectators ing the conversation. "Oh," she said, "I army officer, he hadknownEisenhower who, perhaps playfully if nonetheless was to meet with my friend, Homer when the latterwas a brigadier general, dangerously, had ventured to throw Gruenther, buthe is busywith the presi­ just before Pearl Harbor. Indeed on snowballs at him - he was difficult to dent." To which the guard, who knew that dark day the then lieutenant miss - during the game. Homer never Homer's nature, suggested that she colonel, as Ike's principal assistant liv­ wore a hat or overcoat to a Redskin meetHomer Gruenther, with whom she ing at Fort Sam Houston in Texas in a game. Ripley's "Believe It or Not" had been speaking.' house a few dozen yards from that of featured him for this extraordinary Homer Gruenther's letters include the general, ran down the street to give feat. his sprightly observations about events Eisenhower the news, having heard it In later years Dick Gruenther's six surrounding Eisenhower's nomination 31 Nebraska History - Spring 1988

Teamed With RICHARD NIXON for VICE PRESIDENT To Fight Communism at Home and Abroad

A GREAT LEADER OF MEN, probably no other American in our times has been as widely acclaimed for his administrative ability as has Dwight Eisenhower. His whole life has been one of devotion to duty and to the protection of the liberties of the American people. As leader of the forces of the free world in their fight against Com­ munism, Eisenhower commands the respect of the people of Europe, Asia, as well as the Western Hemisphere. His knowledge of foreign affairs should make him a great states­ man and leader. As one of our outstanding military men he should and will be able to guide our all important defense program with Young, vigorous, SENATOR RICHARD ability and understanding. NIXON of California has demonstrated As on administrator, Eisenhower will gather around him men of his tenacity and courage in ridding the unquestionable ability and integrity. His record is one of energetic Administration of Communists and Commu­ resistance to groft, corruption and inefficiency. nists sympathizers. His persistent efforts, Eisenhower gets things done. His life has been given to planning in the case of Alger Hiss, led to the ex­ and to the execution of those plans for the welfare of the nation. Knowing so well the horrors of war, Eisenhower will become the archi­ posure of the scandals in the State De­ tect of a permanent and lasting peace abroad and domestic tran­ partment under the present Democratic quility at home. Administration. * AMERI~A NEEDS A ~HANGE! * 32 Eisenhower Campaign of 1952

at the Republican national convention What I want is the job of his man there would be no end to the trouble it in Chicago in July 1952 and the subse­ Friday." Like Matt Connelly is to Presi­ would involve. I naturally agreed 'with quent "whistlestop" rail trips during dent Truman, like Steve Early was to him (although I did not). I do honestly which he accompanied the Eisenhower President Roosevelt and like Les Biffle believe however he was sincere in his party. Soon after joining the campaign, is to the Senate, just a good smart man warmth with me. He was exceptionally Gruenther traveled on the Eisenhower to have around, who knows how to keep interested in my comments and when I train from Denver to Chicago for the his mouth shut, and be diplomatic, got up to go after ten minutes he convention. En route, the train made accurate and expendable ....4 requested that I sit down as he wanted stops in McCook, Hastings and Lin­ Best and hastily, to talk a little more with me. He felt me coln. After the convention the nominee Homer out on the Texas picture, on South established his headquarters in Den­ Dakota, on speaking engagements ver. On September 14 Eisenhower At first things seemed to move slowly, etc. began the first of several whistlestop and it was necessary to go through I frankly think he is too much the prod­ campaign swings across the country. Colonel Paul T. (Pete) Carroll» - The uct of the machine or the organiza­ The first part of the trip took Editors tion. He is making no decisions, doing Eisenhower's "Look Ahead Neighbor" nothing on his own. On the other hand special through the Midwest. On Sep­ 703B: the Westchester of course I do realize he is in a new tember 18 he spoke to a crowd of 18,000 4000 Cathedral N.W. league. Itmay notbe any faster thanthe people at the Ak-Sar-Ben coliseum in Washington, D.C. one he has been playing in, butit is con­ Omaha. The next day the candidate June 4,1952 siderably different ... ,7 made brief appearances from the train Dear Alfred: Our best to you both, platform in Plattsmouth, Nebraska .... On Sunday I saw Colonel Carroll. Homer City, Auburn, and Falls City en route to He was very considerate and coopera­ Kansas City. tive. He was familiar with your talk with Homer soon joined the campaign The letters begin before the General Eisenhower, and also Senator organization and at once foundhimself Republican national convention when Seaton's. We agreed however that it plunged into a frenzy of activity as the Homer Gruenther, looking for a job would be best to wait until after "Kan­ Eisenhower forces prepared to fight out (Senator Wherry had died in Novem­ sas" to see the General." We also the issues and battle Senator Robert A. ber 1951), approached his brother, the agreed, though, that he would tell the Taft of Ohiofor thepresidential nomina­ general, for advice. General I called on the colonel, and tion at the Chicago convention. After while I would be available, any time of Eisenhower's victory on July 7, it was THE LETTERS the day or night, to see the General, I back to Denver for a rest before begin­ United States Senate did not want to impose while he was so ning serious campaigning in Septem­ Committee on Appropriations busy, so perhaps he would sooner see ber. Saturday [no date] me in N.Y. During this interlude, Gruenther Dear Alfred: Tuesday morning at 7:30 Colonel became acquainted with Mrs. John S. I have just mailed the original of the Carroll called saying the Generalwould Doud, the nominee's mother-in-law. attached letter to General Eisen­ see me at 8:30 that morning. I still Elioera Doud, known within the hower. argued that it seemed as if I was taking Eisenhower family as "Min," found If you can say anything to the aide undue and unfair liberty. The colonel Homer Gruenther irresistible.AsMamie who handles the General's correspond­ agreed to make another check, but in Eisenhower wrote Alfred Gruenther ence it might help. aboutten minutes he called backto say later, "Your little brother, Homer, has Incidentally if you can also say any­ the General would be clear at 8:30 so I really been a great comfort and a ray of thing to the General without getting had better come down. sunshine on these trips. He and Mama yourself out on a limb, please do so. All I had twenty minutes with him. He have a terrific affinity for each other. I want right now is a chance to be with was very friendly and agreed that he While Ike and I work he and Mama step him until "Chicago."! If I cannot do a would like very much to have me in his out to the best restaurants and whatever selling job by then it will be my fault. organization. He volunteered that he else they can find to dO."8 - The I don't want payor transportation felt I had an experience and training Editors from the General or his organization. which would be very helpful. But he Senator Seaton will take care of my wound up saying that up to this very Office of Dwight D. Eisenhower expenses, if I get the call .... minute he had not made a single sug­ August 3, 1952 [Denver] I don't want to be his adviser, his gestion about the organization, and he Dear Alfred and Grace: press secretary or his legislative man. feared that if he broke this rule now I have a great companion in Mrs. 33 Homer (train platform right) confided in an October 4, 1952, letter to Alfred Gruenther: "I am a stand-in for Ihe, when we go fast . . . . I wave with Mamie [train platform left} to the crowds, and they are thrilled to have 'seen Ihe. ,,, CourtesyofDwightD. EisenhowerLibrary, Abilene, Kansas.

., Doud. She and I have become very trooper. At the dog races the other Knowland as his No. 1 choices, and friendly (thanks to you, Grace). Since night we wanted to leave two races then if either were not available, he the Chicago convention I have taken early to avoid the crowds, but she favored Congressman Halleck. Nexthe her to the dog races twice. She wanted would have none of it. She not only favored Senator Millikin. I mentioned I to go with us, even during the conven­ wanted to remain for the last race, and thought he got the best of the group, tion, but Mamie said no. Then Mrs. bet on it, but she wanted to be right in and I also commented thatI thought he Doud had her revenge, because Mamie the crowd. It served her right; she would have been disappointedifhe had was all set to go with us to the dog races picked losers the last two races .... to get as far down as Millikin ....10 lastThursday only to have the publicity I do not know whether this is true or One of our callers the other day side put its foot down. They feared bad not butJim says thatwhenhe wentin to (Thursday) was Captain Harry publicity. I had the unwelcome task of see the General one time at Chicago, Butcher and wife. Harry saw the telling Mamie. She caught on quickly Senator Nixon was there, and - says General and asked if the General could when I said, "Wouldn'tyou sooner go to Jim - Ike called him over and said, use him in the campaign. The General Central City tonight?" Central City is "Senator, this is Jim Black. He is the had about 15 minutes with Harry. He forty miles from Denver, and Helen first man to mention your name to me, was very friendly with me. I later met Hayes is playing there. "Why?" asked as the best vice-presidential candidate his wife. I later told Mamie, and she Mamie. "Well," I said, "The people to run with me. He told me that while in asked if Mrs. B. was with Harry whenhe here are afraid someone might have a Paris last year." Whether this is true or saw the General. I told her no. I do not camera and take a picture of you at the not, I don't know, but Jim quotes the think she is particularly friendly with dog races. Youknow," I said, "dograces General, so it might be true.? either ....11 are justa little more refined than shoot­ Coming out on the plane from Bye-bye and good luck, ing craps, but not much." She took it Chicago (only ten came out from Homer very gracefully, but I felt sorry for her, Chicago) the General sat with me for a because she was looking forward to her while, and we talked about the conven­ Office of Dwight D. Eisenhower first evening out in a long time. tion. I asked him (in a very diplomatic September 1, 1952 [Denver] She has been feeling miserably, and way) about the vice-president. I was Dear Alfred: it has only been the last five or six days really trying to find out how he landed ... We had a man in Denver who that she seemed to be herself again. on Nixon. He dodged the question, but could really duplicate the General's Mrs. Doud however goes like a real did say that he picked Nixon and signature. Actually the General sees 34 Eisenhower Campaign of 1952

very little mail. Perhaps ten letters a run like hell all day long. I have dis­ with Len Hallwho is the manager of the day, but something like fifty to a hun­ covered one just cannot write with pen train. He is the Congressman from dred go out over his signature. The or pencil as we travel, so I have swiped New York. remaining mail goes out mostly over Bert Andrews's typewriter for this par­ One of my eighty-one duties is to Vandenberg's signature.P He regrets ticular occasion.l'' always be with the General at least the General is unable to personally Monday the General had his three minutes before each stop and the answer, etc. toughest day since he entered politics. same amount oftime after each stop, to The press men are generally critical He made sixteen talks, five of them see that the PA system is cut in and ofthe General's speeches, and also the very important. He stopped two and working properly. This really throws way he delivers them. For instance I three times an hour, and before each me in with the General more than think forty of the forty-five press men stop he had to work on his notes, see a almost any man on the train with the attached to our headquarters thought few local political managers who get on exception of Governor Adams, Seaton, the General did a bad job at the the train at each stop, and then he and two of his main speechwriters and American Legion convention. They works on his major talks. He has three of course General Snyder. The Dr. is didn't like what he said, and they major talks "on the fire" all the time. almost always with the General.P thought his delivery was worse. For instance, up to now his major talks But being with the General before Besides we got a lot of calls here in the getting his study and time were those and after each stop means you are with office, apparently from "friends" who for St. Paul, the AFL and Omaha. As him a hell of a lot of time, when you look said the General did a horrible job at these are passed, other dates take at his schedule. I telephone back to the the convention. their place. operators, when to play the band music Frankly, I didn't get that thought I am sending you a Monday's as we go into a town, when to cut it off until the complaints came in. I heard it schedule. It was a man-killer. Actually and [when to] turn the mikes on for the on television with Kevin Mcflann.P it was too much for the General. He General. I report any rings in the PA McCannhad an importanthand in pre­ almost died when he saw the program system, etc. This particular job is paring it, and practically died half a for Monday and by nighttime he was something like being a disc jockey, if dozen times, because the General pretty close to being a corpse. I was in you want to be truthful. I could have missed his punch lines. Trouble was he the back lounge when he finished off remained in New York in charge of the was using a televiewer, or some such Monday's program, which was wound office but I would a lot sooner be the device, which helps a speaker keep his up with a four-hour motor caravan disc jockey on this train than have the place, while reading a speech. The through several Illinois cities. He said job of running either -the New York thing didn'twork, and this botheredthe very angrily to Mamie that another day office or the Denver office. Because General .... like today and they would have a dead who in hell knows who is running either Best to you and Grace (sorry I do not candidate on their hands. office, including the General, but they have time for more because there are Tuesday was much easier on him. certainly know I'm on this train. some very interesting stories to Thenin the afternoonhe flew on to New Being back with the General, when report). York for his talk to the AF of L today. he wants the train to go ahead (out of Homer He rej oins us this evening. schedule) or stop (out of schedule) I I'm as happy as anyone onthe train. I must hurry and tell the train manager. Wednesday [September 17, 1952] am not writing the speeches or figuring In between points we write thank you Dear Alfred and Grace: in policy or doing anything which could letters to those who either gave the This is being written someplace in not be done by a million other people. G[eneral] presents or were factors in Minnesota. We are on the train heading Actually I'm a sort of handyman to arranging the successful meetings. backto RockIsland for an evening mis­ Senator Seaton, who is manager of the Truthfully there is not a dull moment. sion. General E left our trainin St. Paul tours. He has charge of personnel and The press men think the General is after a series of big meetings on Tues­ the arranging of the schedule and the getting very good crowds but most of day. As you will now commence to sus­ briefing of the General on what stopshe them do not feel he is "wowing" the pect, I am on the train. There are 164 is making each day and where he does voters with earthshaking speeches. people on the special .... The train is his talking and how much. Fredis a sort Personally I thought both his talks and the maximum 18 cars long, and they say of a Chief of Staff. Vandenberg is back his delivery left a lot [of room] for it is about two cars too long for rapid in New York coordinating the improvement on Monday. The trouble traveling. speechwriters' production. was that they had too big a schedule I did not have the time to write last I am also an assistant to Senator and he resented it. He also Saturday or even on Sunday before we Carlson, who is a sort of an official unconsciously permitted this resent­ left New York, and since I have had to greeterfor the General, and thenI work ment to impair the effectiveness of his 35 Nebraska History - Spring 1988

delivery and then the content wasn't Rusty. Atthe startof each dog race, the sure, and I know by the time he goes too inspiring either. He was against sin, lights are turned out and the rabbit through his third campaign he will have high taxes, corruption in government, (Rusty) is started. Then the announcer changed a lot in planning a campaign. and for a change, but who isn't? .... says, "Here comes Rusty." That starts As it is now, he has very little to say Ike is quite irritable. The pressure on the dogs. about this. The trip is planned by him is terrific. I keep my mouth shut, I call Mrs. Doud about every third or others, and Ike is told to do this and do but I report to Governor Adams and fourth day. In New York I did this that. He is pulled here and pulled there Seaton on any observations I make on because we had a direct wire. On the until the poor man is nearly crazy. One crowd reaction, changes in his com­ train we also have direct wires. I always evening after a very heavy day he said ments, etc. A good example (and there tell the maid merely to tell Mrs. Doud to Mamie as he came on the train, are many similar ones) was an observa­ that "a dog named Rusty from New "Dear, if I had known it was going to be tion I made to Adams, with the thought York is calling." She knows .... like this I would have jumped off the he may wish to pass iton to the General, Bye-bye and best of luck to you both, ship." At another time, in fact our first ... that in many places an awful lot of Homer day out two weeks ago, he said, young people turned out (the reason "Another day like today and they will was in every town where we stop they September 30, 1952 be looking for a new candidate.t'This dismiss schools for miles around, the Dear Alfred and Grace: was just after a five-hour motorcade idea being they get the youngsters Today we are on our way on the which brought him back to his train at government-conscious). I passed on second leg of our train tour. We are 9:30 without a bite of food. That day the thought that perhaps Adams might heading for Michigan and have just like nearly all days was a very hectic want to suggest to Ike some comment passed West Point. The General is on one. It was really Ike's first day of real about the young people who are turning his way to South Carolina for his meet­ campaigning, as it was the first of the out to hear him. Adams took the sug­ ing with Jimmy Byrnes.t" Abouttwenty whistlestop days, and what a day it gestion and passed it on to Ike. But of us have this entire eighteen-car train was. either Adams or Ike missed the point. to ourselves, so we are really, for the Ike has a particularly tough time For the next three stops Ike com­ first time, living a life of luxury. This because he must be working on two mented about the youngsters, but he will last until tomorrow morning, when major speeches all the time, the one he said it in a way to lose the value of the Ike will have joined us .... must give in the evening and the one he idea. The gist of his comments was that Mamie has turned out to be a real is planning for the next evening. they ought to be thankful to him, trooper, but she certainly frets and Besides this, he must be figuring on because he got them a free day at stews when they tell her she should get something to say for the whistlestop, school. Itwasn't quite thatblunt, buthe out earlyin the morning and say hello to and he must be briefed so he can say gave the impression that his stop at the coal miners. "To hell with the coal something with a local flavor. Four least resulted in a holiday for the miners," I think she thinks, but she gets years from now he will be an expert at kids. out and does her act, and does a won­ all of this, but he is far from one now. So I revamped the idea and gave it derful job, too. She really pleases the Then while he writes and studies his back to Adams, who suggested the crowd. Everyone calls her "Mamie," speeches, the local VIPs who get on at General praise the youngsters for mak­ and she seems to love it. At almost each stop must be seen for a few ing the effort to come out and hear every stop she gets at least one corsage, minutes. About twenty get on at each him .... and sometimes she gets as many as stop and get off at the following stop. The General and Mamie are very eightin a day. They also give her candy, So the true facts are the General simply friendly. Monday they asked me to eat hats, gloves, brooms, and food of every does not have any time to himself. dinner with them, but I had already kind. One of her favorites is Mexican Besides we work in very close quar­ eaten. Tuesday noon they again asked, food, so we have a nice supply on hand ters on the train, and all the local can­ but I had already eaten. Tuesday even­ for her and Ike .... didates for office, such as Governor, ing Mamie asked me after the General Ike has had a hell of a time. He is Senator, Congressman, and the Com­ went on to New York. This time I fooled pressed too much, but these whistle­ mittee Chairman, all want to get on the them. I had not eaten .... stop campaigns demand stops in platform, where only Ike and Mamie Thursday Mrs. Doud joins us in almost every city. We stop about every should be. When the platform gets Omaha. Bess [Homer's wife] and I took thirty-five minutes, and he talks from crowded Ike throws [blows] an inward her to several dog races while in Den­ five to fifteen minutes. It is generally gasket. ver. She is batty about the dogs, and we five. But he no more gets off the plat­ Almost every day he throws off more got thatway too. The rabbit, which is form and seated, than it is time to get steam than the train. But he does a the bait to make the dogs run, is called up and give anothertalk. He hates pres­ pretty good job laughing outside while 36 Nebraska Governor Val Peterson welcomed the Eisenhowers to Omaha ... (Below) Mrs. John Doud (center) joined her daughter Mamie and Ike in Omaha after a {light from Denver. Courtesy of Omaha World-Herald.

37 Nebraska History - Spring 1988

he is steaming inside. I know very very Ike would go through with a plan to stopping across the country somewhat well, when he is saying, "Senator it is ditch Nixon, because Ike talked so as he had done in 1948. But the issue'this great to have you with us," he is saying much about Korea, Korruption and time was not so much a matter of inside, "You son-of-a-bitch, what in the Kommunism.t? Here was one of his policies, domestic or foreign, but one of hell are you doing on this train?" Some­ best arguments being taken right away personalities and behind them, a desire times, though, he almostreverses these from him. The newsmen say Stevenson for change. The Democrats had held thoughts .... felt ifIke ditched Nixon, Ike would have national office for twenty years and the Almost every evening we stop for a walked right into the White House.s? Korean War was increasingly un­ major talk. Ike goes to the hotel and I'll always have my own ideas on Ike's popular (and seemed interminable; it about five go with him, including first impulse. But at the time Taft was would end in the summer of 1953). The myself. We take care of the callers, on our train, and so were a number of popular World War II general was while others work with him on his professional politicians. They were, to elected president fairly easily. Homer speech. He often needs much more a man, strongly in favor of Nixon. Ike Gruenther became a White House assis­ time for his speeches than is allotted to finally got to figuring that Nixon did not tant and also served in the Kennedy and him, so the delivery is not too good, and get a penny of the money for his per­ Johnson administrations until his retire­ most times the contents, I feel, are not sonal use, so actually he did nothing ment in 1965. He died in Washington in too inspiring either. He is easily at his wrong. We got nearly 250,000 1977. - The Editors ' best when speaking off the cuff, and if I telegrams, nearly all favorable to NOTES were running his show I would give the Nixon. But there are nearly 80 million speechwriters a week's vacation just to people able to send telegrams so the "I'he letters are in the Gruenther family series, Alfred Gruenther MSS, Dwight D, Eisenhower see how he would get along without number is not too impressive. A num­ Library, Abilene, Kansas. The editors are deeply them. ber of newsmen are still asking Nixon grateful for the cordial assistance, during a recent Ike talks much too fast on TV but where he got $20,000 to pay down on a visit, of the library's director, Dr. John Wickman, and of the very able archivist, Katherine they cannot slow him down. He does a $40,000 house, when he said that three Struss. horrible job of reading and getting his years before he was broke. They are 2Familystories providedby Colonel Richard L. Gruenther, a member ofthe staff of the Associa­ punch lines over. also asking him a few other questions. tion of Graduates, U.S. Military Academy, West The Nixon affair really floored Ike. Nixon did a whale of a job for twenty Point, New York. We had been on our tour, only since minutes, pleading his own case, but for "The Republicans met in Chicago in July 1952 where Eisenhower won the nomination in a con­ Sunday, when this affair broke on Wed­ the final ten minutes he launched an test with Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio. nesday. At first the story did not get attack on Stevenson and Sparkman, 4Frederick A. Seaton, Wherry's successor as much of a play. Even on Thursday who has his wife on his payroll.21 But to senator from Nebraska, was later secretary of the interior. He was the manager of the Eisenhower evening when we were in Omaha, there that point neither had said anything whistlestop tour. Matthew J, Connelly was was not a mention of it in the World­ about Nixon. Now they are both attack­ appointments secretary to President Harry S. Truman; Stephen Early was press secretary to Herald. But by Friday all hell broke ing Nixon, and in fact they have bared President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Leslie L. Biffle 100se.17 their own incomes and have forced Ike was secretary of the Senate. Because of my assignment, I see Ike to do the same, and will continue to 5Carroll had joined Eisenhower's NATO staff (supreme headquarters, Allied powers in almost as much as any man on the train, force the issue with Nixon. Europe) as an aide in early 1951 and after the with the exception of about four peo­ Nixon, true, made a powerful plea, presidential election, he moved into the White ple. Bob Cutler, a former BG [brigadier and at the time of his appeal there was House. Promoted to the rank of brigadier general, he died in 1954. general], who talks as ifhe knows you, is no other decision to make, butIke had a 6Eisenhower returned to his boyhood home of closest to Ike on speechwriting sub­ time of it, believe me. Some day a lot Abilene, Kansas, to launch his campaign for the presidency. jects. Cutler wrote speeches for Ike and more will be written on this ....22 "For General Eisenhower golf proved an [General George C.] Marshall during This is a hell of a letter, but this train antidote for the pressure of the campaign. Homer Bob's Army tour. He is a great friend of jumps all over the tracks.... later recalled: "Sunday Ike played golf with some newsmen and on one occasion he picked out a 7 "Jerry" Persons. In my opinion Bob is Best to you both, iron for a shot. The caddy advised against the only fair. He does an excellent job of Homer iron, and so did his partner. 'Listen,' saidIke, 'I'm puttingwords together, but:he does not using a 7 iron on this shot, and I wantyou to know it is the only decision I have made myself since I have the legislative experience to write The campaign of 1952 was still to be left Paris.''' Homer to Alfred Gruenther, July 1, about the important and controversial concluded when Homer Gruenther 1952, Gruenther MSS. subjects like labor laws, social 8Mamie Eisenhower to Alfred M. Gruenther, wrote the above letter to his brother and October 16, 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower series, security, etc. I8 sister-in-law. General Eisenhower ran A.M. Gruenther MSS, Eisenhower Library. Some ofthe news writers with us now hard, and so did Governor Stevenson. "James Byers Black was president of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company of San were with Stevenson when the Nixon President Harry S. Truman entered the Francisco. story broke. They were scared to death campaign in its last weeks by whistle­ lOWilliam F. Knowland was senator from 38 Eisenhower Campaign of 1952

California. Charles Halleck, longtime congress­ Supreme Court, long-time representative and tion of 1960, Nixon seems to have believed that man from Indiana, was an Eisenhower favorite. senator from South Carolina, succeeded Strom Eisenhower was not very active in supporting Eugene D. Millikin was senator from Colorado. Thurmond as governor of South Carolina. In the him, especially when things became very close l1Eisenhower had met Harry C. Butcher in late 1940s, perhaps because of his return to state between the Republican and Democratic can­ 1927in Washington, where Butcherwas editing a politics, Byrnes had turned increasingly conser­ didates. Years later Eisenhower's grandson fertilizer journal. Eisenhower's brother Milton vative. A member of the faction of Southern David married Nixon's daughter Julie and the was then working in the Department of Agricul­ Democrats known as the Dixiecrats, he edged president of 1953-61 lived just long enough into ture. Afterward Butcher became an executive of closer to the GOP. the year 1969to receive the new Republicanpres­ the Columbia Broadcasting System and served 17Newspapers were relating the vice­ ident at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington. as Eisenhower's naval aide during World War II, presidential candidate's access, as a senator, to a By that time any anti-Nixon feeling, or anti­ achieving the rank of captain. After the war he special fund provided by California friends. See Eisenhowerfeelingifithad existed, had probably published the headquarters diary, much of which further comments in this same letter and in foot­ disappeared. William Bragg Ewald, Jr., who he had kept, under title of My Three Years With note 22. served in the White House and also as assistant Eisenhower (New York, 1946). The book was a 18Robert Cutler was a Boston banker who to Secretary of the Interior Seaton, and wentwith best-seller. There was some feeling about this emerged from World War II as a brigadier Eisenhower to Gettysburg to assist on his two book on Eisenhower's part, for Butcherrevealed general. Wilton B. Persons, also a brigadier volumes of White House memoirs, has presented many of his chiefs intimate views of contem­ general, would become special assistant to a plausible analysis in his Eisenhower the poraries, military and civil; perhaps for this Eisenhower during the presidency. President: Crucial Days, 1951-1960 (Englewood reason the general did not permit Butcher to 19Senator Karl E. Mundt of South Dakota had Cliffs, N.J., 1981).He believes that during the so­ quote from his (Eisenhower's) personal wartime originated what Republicans hoped would be the called Checkers speech (when in 1952 the vice­ diary. In addition Butcher had divorced his wife winning campaign formula: K1C2, meaning presidential candidate went on national after the war and married a woman he had met Korea, Communism, and corruption. The con­ television to explain the specialfund andreferred duringmilitary service. Mamie Eisenhower was a tention was that the Truman administration had to the family dog Checkers) Nixon made a pro­ close friend of Butcher's first wife. created the Korean War, was soft on Com­ posal that infuriated Eisenhower: He proposed 12The head of Eisenhower's personal cam­ munism, and tolerated corruption in govern­ to bare his personal finances and in effect paign staff, Arthur H. Vandenberg, Jr., was the ment. challenged the presidential candidates and the son of the late senator from Michigan. 2°Here Gruenther probably meant that if Ike Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Spark­ 13McCannhad beenan Eisenhoweraide during dropped Nixon from the ticket Stevenson would man, to do the same. To Eisenhower, Ewald has World War II and became one of his assistants have "walked right into the White House." written, such a proposal was anathema - it when Eisenhower served as president of Colum­ 21Senator John J. Sparkman of Alabama was involved no one's business but his own. It prom­ bia, 1948-52. A speechwriter on the campaign Stevenson's running mate. ised to reveal the sources of a modest personal train, he was the author of a campaign biography, 22Homer Gruenther's remarks about the fortune. Years earlier Eisenhower had entrusted The Man From Abilene (Garden City, N.Y., Nixon slush fund and the vice-presidential can­ his wife's inheritance, which was sizable, to a 1952). didate's defense of himself are quite interesting, Denver friend, Axsel Nielsen, who had-invested 14Andrews was a reporter for the New York for Eisenhower's position in regard to Nixon has the money very shrewdly, with impressive Herald Tribune. never been clear. Perhaps it never will be. Letters results. Too, it again would ventilate a con­ 15Frank Carlson was senator from Kansas. and memoranda in the Eisenhower Library in troversy that had arisen over publication of Representative Leonard W. Hall of New York Abilene show that in 1956 the president would Eisenhower's World War II memoir, Crusade in was manager of the campaign train and later have been willing for his vice-president to step Europe (Garden City, New York, 1948). The chairman of the Republican National Commit­ down and indirectly presented the possibility to general had sold the rights for a lump sum of tee. Governor Sherman Adams of New Nixon. The latter agonized over the issue, for he $635,000 and obtained a ruling from the internal Hampshire, chief of staff of Eisenhower's per­ was looking toward the election of 1960 in which, revenue authorities that because he was not a sonal campaign, would become White House with luck, as Eisenhower's two-term vice­ professional author the sale could be treated as a chief of staff. Dr. Howard Snyder, major general president, he mightbecomethe Republicanpres­ capital gain, with a twenty-five percent tax. in the U.S. Army, was Eisenhower's personal idential candidate in succession to his chief. Because of the resulting outcry Congress in 1950 physician. After a considerable delay Nixon found himself passed the so-called Eisenhower amendment, 16James F. Byrnes, former secretary of state forced to ask to remain on the ticket, and which forbade any use of capital gains for writers (1945-47), former associate justice of the U.S. Eisenhower carefully consented. Duringthe elec­ whether professional or amateur.

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