Change of Chairs

Staffers of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch puzzled last week over a change in chairs. Illinois-born Irving Billiard, 52, a 30-year P-D veteran, stepped down as chief of the editorial page to become an editorial writer. His replacement: Editorial Writer Robert Lasch, 50, former chief of the Chicago Sun-Times editorial page, who was brought to the paper by Billiard seven years ago.

Publisher Joseph Pulitzer Jr., 44, announced that the change was "administrative" and reflects "no change in editorial policy." Why the shift? Said Billiard, nodding in the direction of Pulitzer's office: "You ought to get that from the White House." But neither Pulitzer, Lasch nor Billiard would say another word. One insider's explanation: though Lasch is considered "a political twin" of the pro-Stevenson, anti-Eisenhower Billiard, he has taken a more gingerly tack in pursuing his views with a reluctant Pulitzer. This would mean that while the tenets of the paper's liberal policy may not change, they will not be aired so frequently or aggressively.

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