Evening star., 1932-02-10

promise Of wise and qualified admins
tration II 1t Is called upon to assume
the burdens Of Government. For this
reason and for this reason alone
have advised that the nomination be
not foreclosed." 4r
For High Glass DelegateA
He urged at the same time the
desirability Of selecting the highest
class Of delegates, "a task extremely
difficult II not wholly impossible where
choice is made solely on the basis Of
the selfish interest Of an individual
candidacy"
Mr.. Shouses statement follows in
full: !
1.-THE influence Of Democratic ma
tional headquarters has not been
thrown and will not be thrown to the
candidacy Of any Of the several dis
tinguiShed gentlemen whose names have
been mentioned in connection with the
nomination for President.
1T would be wholly improper that
this should be done. 1t would be just
as unwise to direct that influence for
the benefit Of the leading candidate
as to direct 1t for the benefit of the
candidate who apparently has the least
chance Of success. -ft
From time to time articles have ap-
peared In certain newspapers claiming
h-Raskob- Shouse combination to
block the nomination of Gov. Franklin
D. Roosevelt Of New York.
AT the recent meeting OF the Ma
tional Committee in Washington Mr..
Raskob called attention to publication
Of this character and branded it prop
erly as wholly without foundation. In
spite Of that fact, charges have ema-
mated from friends of Gov. Roosevelt to
the effect that such combination
exists. and have been requested by the
Associated Press to make a statement
as to my personal attitude with refer
ence to the Democratic nomination.
II have not declared. and I shall not
declare. for any candidate. I have
placed at the disposal of each Of the
candidates. present or prospective, all
Of the information that our national
Headquarters has. I have talked per-
sonally in the frankest possible way
with practically all of these whose
names have been suggested for the
nomination I shall continue to do SO
whenever any one of them or the friends
of any one Of them seek information at
my hands.
No Favoritism Shown.
II have been consulted by Democrats
from all sections of the country as to
particular candidates.. I have never
advised any man in favor Of any indi-
vidual. I have repeatedly expressed the
opinion that. from the standpoint Of
party welfare. 1t was unwise to attempt
to foreclose the nomination months in
advance Of the convention. This has
been my attitude with reference to
nominations in the past 1t is my atti-
tude with reference to nominations this
year.
And because so felt. where an ex-
preston has been sought from me
have not hesitated to voice the belief
that 1t would be wiser, from the stand
point Of party and country alike, not to
instruct delegates to the convention in
favor of any candidate save where such
instruction is necessary under the
primary laws Of some Of the States.
Thoughtful men Of all parties real
ize the trying circumstances which to-
day confront practically every country
Of the world. In Europe there are per-
sistent rumors Of the danger of the
downfall Of this government or that.
In the Far East there is a degree of
confusion that carries with it the posi-
BILE threat of serious war
mo matter how great his experience
or his knowledge. there is no man wise
enough to foretell what may be the
conditions that will prevail at the time
| the Democratic National Convention
meets on June 27.
I'm all probability that convention