Case of Nerves

Almost every problem in Washington last week was being postponed. Spring burgeoned apace on lawns and malls, but the spiritual atmosphere was humid August. With Congress off home for an Easter fortnight, the Capitol was near-empty. Up & down the long corridors of the big white department buildings, the “hold” baskets on the big executive desks piled high with important policy papers.

There was a reason. Everybody was waiting. The next move was Ike Eisenhower’s. Nobody wanted to decide anything until that move was made. Everyone was in betting pools on the invasion. April? May? June? July? August? September? October? After elections? Each month had its backers. But if the invasion were not soon, how long could the Big Washington decisions wait?