A Kite in the Wind

Thirteen months ago the New Republic was happy to tie itself to Henry Wallace's kite. New readers were invited to come along for the ride at a "special Henry Wallace rate" of $5 a year, and circulation more than doubled to 95,000.

This week, as it became plain which way the wind was blowing, Publisher Michael Straight decided to fly his own kite. He announced that as Wallace will run for President (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS), he would personally step in as editor, with Wallace staying on as a contributor. "The paper," said Straight, "will be independent . . . [not] the organ of a third party."

Some of the staff were not so sure that the New Republic could keep Henry Wallace and its independence as well. William Harlan Hale, articles editor, pleaded with Straight to cut Wallace loose. Anything less, he argued, would be a "virtual endorsement" of Wallace-for-President. When Straight said no, Hale quit.

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