Evening star., 1937-12-10
LAND0N NW0N'TRUN
IN 40 EVEN IF BID
IS OFFERED TO HIM
Ex-Governor Removes Self
With mo Equivocation
Whatsoever"
MORE FREEDOM TO ACT
IN PARTY is OBJECT
He Would Not Accept sin the Re-
mote Contingency" if It Were
Extended, He Says.
BY REX COLLIER.

Former Gov. ALI M. Landon of
Kansas today, with mo equivocation
whatsoever" removed himself from
consideration as Republican candi-
date for President in 1910.
He told reporters at an informal
press conference in his hotel room
that he would not be candidate
and would not accept the nomination
''in the remote contingency" it were
offered to him.
His announcement should not be
construed as meaning he is with
drawing from the political scene. he
emphasized
Il am taking this step so that !
can be more active in the Republican
party" he said. He explained he de-
sired to clarity" the situation in view
of continuing developments"
Mr.. Landon came here to attend
the Gridiron dinner tomorrow night
In the midst of his press confer
ence at the Willard a telephone cal
was received from Marvin Mcintyre
secretary to the President. The Gov
ernor, upon hanging up. said Mr.
Roosevelt had extended an invitation
for him and Senator Capper, OF
Kansas to visit the White House a,
4:30 pm. today, and that he had
accepted Mr. Landon was a lunch.
con guest of Senator Capper this
afternoon.
Acts Misconstrued.
When nearly score of CORE.
spondents had seated themselves ir
his room at his invitation this morn.
ing. Mr.. Landon lighted his pipe, sa,
down. near a window and began tt
dicate his announcement extempo,
raneously in response to a question a.
to whether he intended to take "an.
other whirl' at the Republican nom.
ination.
Its always presumptious for mar
to decline something that has not beer
offered to him." he said. slowly. be-
tween puffs.
"A short time ago / would not have
answered that question. but continuing
developments have convinced me that
my acts as citizen and 1886 candi.
date have been frequently miscon.
strued. For that reason, and because
personalities generally confuse the
clarity Of the situation and its prob.
lens. especially in politics. am glae
to answer that question with no equivo
cation whatsoever
Il have not had any intention o
being candidate in 1910, and il
order that I may make my position
perfectly clear 1 won't accept thu
nomination in the remote contingency
the Republican National Convention
should offer it to me.
White House Calls.
II say this with full regard and an.
probation Of that high honor, and fee
it incumbent upon me to take this
position in the spirit of keeping tn.
faith with the millions who have
trusted me with their confidence.
"A man in the position of beine
suspected Of being either an active OF
a receptive candidate cannot render
the service to the party or country
that conceive to be my patriotic duty
and responsibility in the critical situa.
ton confronting u.s.
1t was at this point that Mr. Landor
excused himself to answer the White
House call.
When he had completed telephonins
Mr.. Landon submitted himself to ques.
tioning by the reporters.
Queried as to what he thinks tht
country needs right now, the former
Governor paused, rose from his chair
took his pipe from his mouth and
after contemplative pause, said:
TITS pretty hard to sum up ar
answer to that question for the news.
papers. I would say, however, there
is one thing that is urgently needed
confidence. Mutual confidence be.
tween Government and business. Their
has been too much dealing between
the Government and business men a.
arms length. Business men dom
fCaa TANn0N poon AAI