The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-14
TOWNSENDITES
TO RUN u. s.,
: LEADER SAYS
Doctor Defies Old Parties to
Elect president or
Any Others
WE'RE DEMANDING NOW
Pension Group to Put Full
Slate in 1886 Race,
Founder Claims.
BY FREDERICK c. OTHMAN
United Press STAFF Correspondent


WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Dr
Francis E. Townsend today defieo
the Republicans and the Democrats
to gain any offices from President
on down at next years elections
announced that he was in a posi-
ton to dictate" to both parties and
predicted that the Townsend 5000
a-month pension party would be in
control of the United States gov
eminent by 1886.
Concerning congressional mem
bers of old-line parties who have
offered him their support, the gray
haired doctor said:
IF they won't desert their oWr
parties we don't want them.
I'VE are through with the two old
line parties, unless they show a sud-
den and immediate change OF
heart"
The doctor, wearing his cele-
brated Hitler" mustache and q
bright red necktie, was in the midst
Of making up the next issue of the
Townsend weekly when he was in
tervieWed.
A corps OF young women clerks
was busy emptying envelopes OF
dollar bills, money orders, personal
checks and postage stamps, which
subscribers had mailed and which
made pile in the center of ma
hogany table.
Ready to Demand Now
DR.. Townsend said his member
ship was "snow-balling" so rapidly
that at last he felt capable of COM
ing into the open and stating not
his requests, but his demands
I'VE have been lying low all this
time" DR.. Townsend said. I'VE made
no effort to tell Washington what
we were doing. We wanted to steal
march until we could assume a
dictatorial attitude. Now we are SO
strong we can dictate and we shall
have full slate in the 1885 political
campaigns.
Il am predicting now that, by
next fall, there won't be half a
dozen congressman who have a
chance to return unless they cease
being Republicans and Democrats
and get behind our movement.
Followers Growing Daily
1.-THE Republicans and the Demo-
Gratis have programs for their own
parties and the people are becom-
ing tired of their vague promises.
I'VE have a national program for
the benefit of all the people The
old line parties have program for
themselves"
Townsend said it was impossible
to estimate the number of his fol-
lowers. because so many new adj
herents were signing up daily
I'VE will have a compilation at
the end of this month of our men,
bership, but it will be obsolete The
next day." he added. The men,
berShip is Snow-balling so rapidly
we have difficulty in keeping up
with it,"
Candidate Still Unknown
The doctor said he believed the
succeeding Administrations of Re-
publicans and Democrats, with their
rapidly changing international pol
icieS' have kept the United States
in almost constant trouble with one
or another foreign power.
"And that is another thing the
&c 70
he added.
When the Republicans and the
Democrats are no more and we are
at the helm we can establish an
honest international pollok and stick
to it for Is or 90 years or longer
And mark my word that in itself
will be long step toward ending
war"
Townsend said he did not know
nor did he particularly care, who
would be his presidential candidate
Old Parties Are Silent
ut doesn't make lot of differ
ence," he said. I'VE haven't decid-
ed yet who we will put in the NOM
inatlon, but there are plenty OF
gooo men who could be elected
and there will be more"
Old line political leaders gener-
ally refused comment on Dr. Town
sends interview. One spokesman
connected with the Democratic
Party. but refusing to be quoted
said:
Our attitude is one of refusing
to answer anything the doctor says
We don't intend to give him that
satisfaction"
Some political figures, however
promised statements later.