Erhard May Not Get Chancellor's Office, Friedrich Predicts

Konrad Adenauer's decision to resign the German Chancellorship "may have been a Pyrrhic victory for Dr. Ludwig Erhard," Carl J. Friedrich, Eaton Profesor of the Science of Government, said Wednesday.

"Adenauer may use his position as President to keep Erhard out of the Chancellorship," Friedrich said. Erhard, Minister of the Economy, is regarded by many people as the one most likely to suceed Adenauer if the latter is elected President of Germany this summer.

Friedrich cited personal and policy differences between the two which might lead Adenauer to by-pass Erhard for Franz Etzel, Minister of Finance. Friedrich added that Erhard lacks administrative skill.

Members of Adenauer's party voted to ask him to run for President, not because he was losing popularity in the party or in the country, but because he might die before the 1961 elections in Germany, Friedrich said.