CONGRESSMAN KING, who heads the committee investigating Internal Revenue irregularities, is reported to have been “frankly jubilant” at news that President Truman would make Justice Department files available to the inquiry. That is a concise commentary on Mr. Truman, his Administration and its methods. [Cecil R. King, Democrat of California]

Why should it be an occasion for jubilation when the President of the United States consents to co-operate in an effort to track down criminals within the Government? The answer, of course, is that it is the unexpected exception to the rule.

Mr. Truman’s instinct is always to cover up, to obstruct, to clamor about “red herring” and look around for specious means to keep reporters from writing stories of his Administration’s “iniquities.” The United States of America is in a bad way when it is occasion for cheers and hat tossing if the President agrees to let Congress look into a stenchful mess.

That he did so this time is perhaps only because he didn’t dare do otherwise. Unlike other Government agencies that have been under fire, the Internal Revenue Bureau is not remote from the ordinary citizen. [IRB was the future IRS] Malfeasance there is something to enrage every taxpayer — and taxpayers vote.