'Republicans Forced Adams To Resign'

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28700, 25 September 1958, Page 13

'Republicans Forced Adams To Resign'

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 23. The Democratic Party’s national chairman (Mr Paul Butler) said tonight that Republican “political expediency” rather than any Democratic plot forced Mr Sherman Adams to resign yesterday as President Eisenhower’s chief adviser. He said Mr Adams had actually been forced out by Republicans running for office in the November Congressional elections. Mr Adams could not publicly blame them and therefore sought to convey the impression that the attack against him was launched by Democrats, said Mr Butler.

The Democratic chairman delivered his party's official reply to Mr Adams’ radio and television speech in which he said that he was the victim of a “campaign of vilification.” The radio and television networks granted Mr Butler the same amount of time. as Mr Adams had last night to announce his resignation. The Republican Party’s national chairman (Mr Meade Alcorn) disclosed earlier that had Mr Adams resigned after a poll showed that Republican candidates feared his retention in office would cost them votes in the November elections, Mr Alcorn told a National Press Club luncheon meeting that a survey of members of the Republican national committee revealed “reasonably acute concern" about the election impact of the AdamsGoldfine case. Mr Adams admitted to a House of Representatives investigating committee th tat he had accepted gifts from Mr Bernard Goldfine. some of whose businesses were being examined by Federal regulatory agencies. Mr Adams denied that he nad used his influence on Mr Goldfine’s behalf. In Boston. Massachusetts, today, Mr Goldfine said he was sorry about the resignation. In a brief statement issued from his Boston offices, the wealthy industrialist said: “I am sorry that Governor Adams has resigned. My feelings and friendship, of many long years, toward Governor Adams remain unchanged.”