"A Social Visit"

During the first week of President Eisenhower's illness, nearly all Democrats tiptoed in the political corridors and spoke in hushed tones that told of genuine personal sympathy for Ike. Among Democratic presidential hopefuls, only Stevenson (who expressed his fervent hope for the President's recovery) was visibly active--and he was obviously embarrassed by the attention that focused on him while he fulfilled some Texas engagements of long standing.

In midsummer, Stevenson had contracted to make a nonpolitical speech as part of the "Great Issues" series being put on by the University of Texas. A little later, he accepted an invitation from

Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson, then still in the hospital after a heart attack, to visit Johnson's 300-acre ranch near Stonewall (66 miles west of Austin).

In Austin's Commodore Perry Hotel, Adlai Stevenson spent 35 minutes closeted with senior Texas Democrat and House Speaker Sam Rayburn. That night, at the university, Stevenson's subject was "America, the Economic Colossus." Stevenson had some doubts about the colossus. Said he: "I am not a prophet of gloom. I am not a prophet of any kind whatever. Nonetheless, I groaned the other day when a leading politician said with glee, 'Everything is booming but the guns.' I wish people would take less interest in booms and more in stability--in making good conditions last."

"X" Marks the Spot. After the speech, Stevenson and Rayburn drove to Johnson's ranch, arriving shortly before midnight. By next daybreak, reporters and cameramen had already begun to gather on the front lawn. At 7 a.m., Lyndon Johnson emerged, and conducted newsmen on a tour that included the house where he was born, his first school, and the family cemetery. On a vacant plot next to the graves of his grandparents, Johnson marked an "X" with his foot. "Sixty days ago," he said, "that's where I thought I was going to be."

Then he gave his version of the Stevenson visit. No politics had been discussed, said Johnson, and as far as he was concerned none were going to be. The visit had absolutely no relationship to any political situation arising from Eisenhower's illness. As a heart-attack victim himself, Johnson said, he felt a certain kinship toward Ike; besides, he considered the President a close personal friend. As for exerting his influence in the Senate on behalf of any candidate, Johnson said: "I can't turn the Senate into a nominating convention ... I wouldn't make precinct captains out of the Senators even if I could."

Without Hatred. Having stated his position, Johnson returned to join Stevenson and Rayburn at a breakfast of Pecos cantaloupe, venison sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, hominy grits and popovers. At midmorning, a press conference was held on the front lawn. Johnson again explained the circumstances of Adlai's visit. Rayburn said he agreed with everything Johnson had said. "We're not haters," said Rayburn. "We never hated Mr. Eisenhower, and we never will. We're just not built that way."

Stevenson insisted that his meeting with Johnson and Rayburn was "a social and friendly visit" and was "not political in any sense." Against the persistent attempts of newsmen to get him to explain his political intentions, Stevenson finally went this far: "My intentions are no mystery. I'm just trying to ascertain what the wishes of the Democratic leaders around the country are. Once I'm satisfied I know that, I will have something to say. In the meantime, I just haven't crossed that bridge yet."

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