Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-07-03
Party Lines Will Fade
This November, Says
WiIkie;; Victory Seen
6. o. P. to Win, No Matter
Who Democrats Put Up,
Candidate Declares
BY J. A. O'LEARY,
Star Staff Correspondent.

NEW YORK, July Sine Repup-
lican ticket will win this year, no
matter who the Democrats nomi-
nate, Wendell l.. Willkie, G. o. P.
nominee, predicted today. He was
commenting on the John L. Lewis
speech to the Townsendite conven-
ton, in which the c. I. O. leader
said Senator Wheeler of Montana
is the only Democrat who can beat
Mr.. Willkie.
He also emphasized belief party
lines will fade in November, the
election being decided on the voters
attitude toward the New Deal
philosophy.
II don't think it makes any diff
ference who the Democrats nomi-
nate" said Mr.. Willkie, we're still
going to win. I've expressed my
preference for an opponent" he
added, referring to his repeatedly
expressed hope that President Roose-
welt will run.
Mr.. Willkie also declared his be-
lief that economic questions rather
than party labels are determining
popular allegiance.
my nomination at Philadelphia
Is the strongest testimony of that"
he went on, presumably having in
mind the fact that he was classed as
as Democrat until few years ago.
He voted for Mr.. Roosevelt in 1882.
His reference to party labels was
prompted by a suggestion that the
Democrats are virtually certain to
retain control of the Senate, be-
cause of their present large major
ity, regardless of how the presiden-
tial and House elections go.
Limits Campaign Gifts.
The rules Mr.. Willkie laid down to
govern contributions to his cam
paign mark him as a rare figure in
American politics.
Discussing finances with the same
candor he has applied to all other
questions, he told newspapermen
late yesterday he has requested
those responsible for raising party
funds to observe these limitations:
No individual contributions in
excess of the $4,000 limit in the
Hatch bill. although that bill has
not become law; no cash gifts above
$40, so that checks or other written
evidence of larger amounts will be
on record; no corporate contribu-
tons 'in any guise, whether as ad-
vertisements in campaign books or
otherwise"
Talks With McNary, Martin.
Mr.. Willkie revealed today that
he talked with his running mate,
Senator McNary of oregon, for the
first time last night, and expressed
hope the Senate minority leader
will make an active speaking cam
paign. They conversed by telephone
and arranged to meet as soon as
their plans will permit after indie
pendence Day. Mr.. Willkie said he
still hopes to stop off in Washington
for that purpose before starting on
his vacation next week.
He also conferred by phone with
House Republican Leader Martin of
Massachusetts, and is believed to
have asked his advice about the pro-
posed new streamlined three-man
strategy board to direct the cam
paign. Although not definitely de-
cided on, the plan is becoming in
creasingly more certain of adoption,
1t was indicated today.
Mr.. Willkie said the time for
his acceptance speech in Elwood,
Ind, had not been determined, but
that it would not be before July 25
Names Aides of Rivals.
Mr.. Willkie also took steps to unite
party ranks by naming adherents
of Senator Taft and Thomas E.
Dewey to membership on Cam
paign Advisory Committee he ap-
pointed yesterday afternoon to work
with him regardless of what form
the official Republican organization
takes.
The Advisory Committee will be
headed by Gov. Harold z. Stassen of
Minnesota, keynoter of the conven-
ton, who has since become one of
Mr. Wilkes closest advisers. Among
those invited to serve are David S.
ingalls,, leader of the Taft pre-
convention race, and Mrs. Ruth
Hanna Mccormick Simms, one of
the original boosters of the Dewey
candidacy.
Others forming the Advisory Com
mittee are Representative Mar
tin, Gov. Raymond Baldwin of
Connecticut. Representative Hal
leck Of Indiana, who made the
nominating speech for Mr.. Willkie;
Gov. Ralph Carr of Colorado,
a Willkie floor manager; Paul
Krusi, member of the Tennessee
delegation; Oren Root, jr., of New
York, who helped start the Willkie
boom; Mrs. Ruth Young Kohler of
Wisconsin,; Representative Otter of
Pennsylvania. chairman of the Con-
gressional Campaign Committee,
and Senator Townsend of Delaware,
chairman of the Senatorial Cam
paign Committee.
Meanwhile, conferences scheduled
for today between Mr.. Willkie and
SuUtUIllIlllllSc VI lIlC 1ldUlOIldl COIll-
mittee to agree on the formal cam
paign organization have been put
off until Friday, to avoid starting
the sessions on the eve of holiday.
Would Avoid Job Claims.
In announcing the principles to
be followed in collecting party funds,
Mr.. Willkie said: Il am particularly
anxious about that matter because
in this crucial period of the worlds
history, don't want any man who
may contribute to think that under
the American political habit, he is
entitled to any reward, in the way
of an ambassadorship or other posi-
ton"
Mr.. Willkie said he would be
happy to have any citizen contribute
to the campaign, and added, "the
more 81 contributions the better"
He said this is ''the peoples move
ment" and he wants to keep it that.
The Streamlined Plan.