Puff of DDT

Before plunging into the Deep South, Henry Wallace had given some deep thought to the Communists in his party. He was worried about Rexford Tugwell's threatened defection (TIME, Aug. 30). After four days of consultation with his advisers, he concocted a statement which he hoped would pacify Tugwell without offending his Communist supporters. It was a masterpiece of artless dodging.

Wallace declared that 1) the Progressive Party is not controlled by Communists; 2) Communism and Wallace's so-called "progressive capitalism" have many common social objectives, and he welcomed "the support of those who believed in such objectives"; 3) he would "never tolerate those whose purpose it is to destroy our government by force."

Amplifying, Wallace said: "It's a good thing there are Communists associated with the new party. But if any of them advocate the overthrow of the government by violence, I hope they get out now." Although, by his own admission, he has known only one Communist personally,* he conceded that "there may be some Communists who owe first allegiance to Moscow rather than to Washington--I don't think it's a majority."

"I don't know what percentage of Communists really believe as persons in the violent overthrow of the government," he added. "There is as much variation in the beliefs of Communists as in the beliefs of Democrats and Republicans."

Communists must have snickered. As every good Communist knows, '"deviationism" is the primary sin in Moscow's decalogue. But Henry's little puff of DDT seemed to please Rex Tugwell, who said he was now "very happy."

* Named Boyer--"a great man." Wallace says he met another recently in a railroad station.

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