Evening star., 1937-09-12
BY MILO THOMPSON.
Associated Press STAFF Writer,


Associated Press STAFF Writer.
A reporter of Washington develop
nnents cannot wisely overlook Just
now the effect OF the current Roose-
welt third-term talk on 1940 campaign
strategy.
He can expect, however, to get lit
tie aid from the real formulators of
strategy They do not tip their hands
even when they are sure how to pro-
ceed. Certainly they are not tipping
them now.
Like the President in his Sino-Jap-
anese situation, they are going ahead
on "24hour basis" And it is no
secret that they expect the forth
coming Western trip of the President
to provide them some information,
Just as it is certain to provide some
for Mr.. Roosevelt himself. who has
indicated he is out to observe and
listen. not to urge, purge or punish.
This information will have to do
With the reception the President gets,
with the character of the people he
talks to and with the part in his well
come played by Senators OF various
political color and established atti-
tude toward the Roosevelt program.
Strategic Possibilities.
Those who do most of the talking
about third-term possibilities are not
those who shoulder the responsibilities,
but the talk produces, nevertheless,
picture of the strategic possibilities.
For instance, it is frequently as
setred that the President has three
things he might do:
He might, at some early date. say
clearly he will not run or be drafted
for a third term. That would please
some Of the political managers itching
to get their pet candidates into the
open and start gathering pledges.
Most commentators say, however, it is
not likely to happen, because of its
possible effect on administrative and
legislative action during the rest of
the second term. The argument ad-
vanced is that it would put a limit
on the Presidents active leadership
and make men high in the present ad-
ministration and in Congress begin
taking into consideration the situa-
ton which would obtain under his
successor. Whether or not the weak
ening Of presidential prestige, If any,
would be serious, none expresses the
belief It would greatly add to that
prestige.
Might Devise Utterance.
hc pro ,,l,+
tic utterance like the Coolidgean Il
do not choose to rum" with its posi-
bic implication Il might run if 1 am
strongly urged" He might, like Pres
ident Grant, say he would not accept
nomination if 1t were rendered. un-
less it should come under such cir
cumstances as to make it an impera-
tive duty-circumstances not likely to
arise"
But those who, in Washington con-
Versatlons, debate the advisa bilitv of
such = move, express uncertainty as
TO its effectiveness. Some of them
say 1t merely makes President a tar
get for criticism. They say it in
creases speculation as to his willing
ness to succeed himself, quieting no
talk They say 1t is certain to be in
erpreted in some quarters as an in
Ntauon TO those ready and willing To
start draft him" campaign. The
general effect is not much different
from the effect of keeping silence.
which also admits of criticism. specu-
lation and drafting gestures.
i~l ol-1
washington conversations is that of
letting 1t be known he is willing to
run again. Few persons expect such
. gesture to come, if at all. in the near
future. Most commentators saw II
would be inviting campaign storms in
the midst of years in which there is
work to do. Such storms would be to
the disadvantage Of that work and.
therefore, of the record on which the
new campaign, if any, must be made
They say 1t would unnecessarily add
to ordinary difficulties of leadership,
arouse the enmity of would-be candi-
dates and the opposition of those who
believe in a two-term limitation on
Presidents as matter Of principle.
Pleasing TO Opposition.
II Is frequently asserted here the
opposition would like nothing better
than to smoke out the President as
coon As possible and would like, most
Of all, to have him indicate third
term aspirations. Their argument is
that, II ne refused fatty to run again,
1t could be said he had given up the
battle and that his party couldn't
produces another to step into his shoes;
and that. If he straddled the issue.
he has become timid and vacillating
and wants what he dares not ask.
II, however, he should set himself
openly for a third campaign, there
would be land there are plenty who
say iD hue and cry raised COM
parable TO that which followed the re-