Republican Convention site - calm before the frenzy.
1952-06-30-CBS-Edward-R-Murrow.mp3
June 30, 1952 - Edward R. Murrow And The News - CBS Radio - Gordon Skene Sound Collection -
June 30, 1952 - Calm before the frenzy, this last day of June. The stage was set and the convention hall was bracing for the onslaught of Republicans, converging on Chicago to nominate their Candidate for President. Senator Taft, a hopeful arrived in Chicago and said he was willing to affect a compromise on the 38 contested delegates from Texas, but added that in order to do this both sides had to be reasonable. Sources close to Eisenhower said the General was in "no mood to compromise". Cameras and microphones would not be permitted in the hearing rooms regarding the delegate questions, even though both Taft and Eisenhower camps had no objections. And the show opens in three days.
President Truman signed the bill extending wage and price controls for another 10 months. All controls, including rent, would have ended at midnight if the President had refused to sign the bill. House Speaker Sam Rayburn said the President was not happy about the legislation presented to him, but he signed because it was the only thing he could do. Mr. Truman wanted controls extended for another two years but Congress voted only a ten month extension.
And in Houston Texas, the annual Governor's Conference was in its first day and according to observers, the gossip over the two upcoming Presidential convention was very much like Texas oil; it was coming in gushers. For the Democrats, the word was a Stevenson/Russell ticket, despite (Illinois Governor) Stevenson's 300+ page statement issued in April saying he was not a candidate for President and had no intention of being. His latest statement was some 160 words shorter but skirted around the issue, adding if a draft was underway he "might consider" running. Reporters were quick to declare it was Stevenson's opportunity to put "one foot in the door". As far as Georgia Senator Russell was concerned, many Governor's felt Russell would be an ideal running mate, as a candidate representing the Southern vote might be crucial in the area of Civil Rights.
And that's a small slice of what was going on, this last day of June in 1952 as reported by Edward R. Murrow .
