Evening star., 1936-11-18
.LANDON TO RETIRE
FROM PUBLIC LIFE
Governor Not Candidate for
194O-HamiIton to Push
GO. P. Rebuilding.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.
The future of the Republican
partys national organization was un-
der consideration today as John Ham
ilton, national chairman, returned TO
G. o. P. headquarters here.
The parts which Gov. Alf M. Lam
don of Kansas. Republican nominee
for President in the recent election,
and Hamilton are to play in efforts
at rebuilding after the disastrous de-
feat are of particular interest.
Gov. Landon is prepared to do any
thing he can as titular head of the
party. He is not, however, q candi-
date for the presidential nomination
In 1910, and it is expected he Will
issue a statement to that effect. IN
all probability, when his term OF office
as Governor ends the first Of the year,
Gov. Landon will retire from public
Office and not seek another, either
the senatorship in 1888 or the presl-
dency in 1940.
This is said to be the Governors
personal inclination. 1t is always
possible, however, that circumstances
will arise to change the plans OF any
man who has been leader in politics.
Expects to Remain Here.
At a press conference in Republican
headquarters here today, Hamilton
said that he expected to be in Wash
ineton now and in charge OF the
committee work After the first of
the year he plans to 60 out into the
States to help rebuild the organiza-
ton and keep in touch with Re-
publicans throughout the country.
He said that w. j. Donald, who had
been at Republican headquarters for
q number of years, would continue
in charge of the administrative Office
at headquarters Leo Casey. he said,
would be in charge Of the press sec
ton.
Hamilton estimated that there had
been a total of 100000 individual con-
tributors to the Republican campaign
fund, many Of which were for small
amounts. The greatest number of
contributors to the Republican cam
paign fund in any previous presi-
dental election was in 1928, about
1440O0. In 1882 the number Of con-
tributors was $4,000.
II have high hope" said Hamilton,
'that I will be able to finance the
work of the committee through small
contributions.
Sets Deficit at S1,000.000.
He indicated he would have to rely
on large contributions to wipe out the
deficit, which he estimated at some
thing more than S1,000,000. In reply
to a question whether possible con-
tributors to the Republican fund had
been prevented from contributing by
threats of reprisals," Hamilton said
he knew of no such threats.
The Republican party" said Ham
ilton, had ample funds with which
to conduct the campaign. 1t would
have made no difference if we had had
more money. I will say this-if Pres
ident Roosevelt had been the Repub-
lican candidate, and bucking the same
conditions that Gov. Landon was
bucking, he could not have been
elected. The main issue N the cam
and the apparent good times"
Hamilton said that there was no
meeting of the Republican National
Committee in prospect now, but there
probably would be one in six months.
He said that he might call a meeting
of the Executive Committee first. The
Chicago and New York headquarters
ready been closed.
Hopes for Caucauses.
Hamilton said he hoped the Re-
publitans in Congress would hold fire.
quent caucuses to determine what
policies and what legislation they
would back He admitted that the
small Republican membership Of II
in the Senate and the fact that the
Republican Senators did not see eye to
eye might make cohesive opposition
to the administration difficult.
Hamilton said he hoped that indi-
vidual Republican members of the
Senate and House would fight for
policies and legislative proposals in
line with the Republican national
platform and the issues which had
been developed in the campaign.
The Republican party, Hamilton
predicted, would stage comeback
in good time. In the emantime, its
duty will be to conduct itself as q
militant and constructive minority.
He said that he did not look for new
political alignments" and that he did
not expect development of a new and
strong third party. He said he hoped
that the Republicans in Congress
would not oppose some Of the legisla-
tive proposals advanced by the Presi-
dent.
Additional Funds Needed.
In addition to paying of the deficit,
It will be necessary to raise funds to
carry on the work of the national
committee, requiring 100000 a year
With 100000 Republicans stand
ing by their party in the last election.
Hamilton and other leaders feel the
g. o. P. is by nc means dead. It
Is certainly no deader, in their opin-
ion, than was the Democratic party
following the Civil War, or imme-
nediately after the presidential elec.
tions of 1924 and 1928.
The Republicans realize the diffi-
Guilty they may meet in q campaign
against the Democrats If business con-
tinues to improve in this country dur
ing the next few years. Indeed, they
consider that the improvement made
along those lines in the last year was
largely responsible for the reelection
Of President Roosevelt and the defeat
OF their candidate.
There are sinns than holinua ham