Truman Keeps Silence About Forum Debate With Sen. McCarthy

Former President Truman has still not indicated to the Law School Forum whether or not he will accept its invitation to debate the issue of Communism with Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, Hershel Shanks, 1L, coordinator of the proposed forum, said last night.

Sen. McCarthy said Thursday that he would be willing to accept the bid, provided Truman did the same. Shanks said, however, that although McCarthy had signified his acceptance in Washington, he has not sent official word to the Forum.

The topic of the proposed debate: "How We Americans Should Deal With Communism" has been tentatively set for March 5, but Shanks has stated that he would change the date to suit the speakers.

If Truman accepts the bid, he would break the historical precedent he himself followed in the Harry Dexter White affair. Former Presidents in the past have refused to submit their administrations to questioning, believing it an infringement of the independence granted the Executive in the Constitution.