Public Policy--1954 Version

Once again the Administration has demonstrated that the best way to make policy is to make it off the cuff. Vice President Nixon, speaking to a meeting of newspaper editors, first advocated the use of American troops in Indo-China, then said that on the basis of existing evidence, he considered physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer "a loyal American." Only a short time before, Secretary of Defense Wilson announced, in effect, that even if Oppenheimer's name were cleared, he still should not be allowed back in Government employ.

These statements continue a tradition started last Fall by Attorney General Brownell in the case of Harry Dexter White and furthered by Secretary of State Dulles in his initial announcement of the "New Look" defense policy. When the president must say, as he did about Nixon's stand on Indo-China, that he has "no comment," the affect can only be weakening.

Even more serious, however, are the two opposing statements about Dr. Oppenheimer. If Mr. Wilson's remarks are to be regarded as policy, it seems that the present loyalty program has been brought to its logical conclusion. Apparently a man is no longer innocent until proved guilty, but guilty merely by being accused.