The Republican House whip and his 15 assistants made their rounds, pooled their findings and reported back to Speaker Joe Martin with discouraging news: between 40 and 50 G.O.P. Congressmen were ready to throw off party discipline and vote with the Democrats for a $100 increase in personal income tax exemptions. But just four days later, in the showdown last week, Republicans stood as a near-solid phalanx and defeated the move. Reason: a remarkable display of leadership by Joe Martin and his top aides.
Martin's weapon was President Eisenbower's outspoken opposition to the...