M. Pleven Takes His Turn

Economists, like other theologians, are mutually intolerant: Charles de Gaulle's Cabinet was no longer big enough to contain both of its respected doctors of finance. Minister of National Economy Pierre Mendes-France is a peppery proponent of controlled deflation, and Minister of Finance Rene Pleven, a suave supporter of controlled inflation. One day last week M. Mendes-France called on General de Gaulle, left his resignation. Two days later M. Pleven became Minister of National Economy and Finance.

Before he left for his home in the country--at Luoviers, where he is Mayor --M. Mendes-France unburdened himself of an earnest warning. The nation, he said, stood on the brink of a dangerous inflationary spiral. "Economic powers," particularly the Bank of France, had "brought to bear a strong, indiscreet but apparently most effective pressure" against his proposal for stern preventive measures. M. Mendes-France was sorrowful, not angry. He went off with the air of a doctor who expects to be called back.

The patient, meanwhile, did not seem sure which doctor she preferred. In general the leftist press regretted M. Mendes-France's departure. But it turned a not unhopeful face toward his successor. Said the resistance organ, Front National: "Your turn now, M. Pleven, to see what you can do. ... To you our hand."

The Minister of National Economy and Finance promptly got the Cabinet to approve an increase in wages and a boost in the price of bread.

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