Evening star., 1940-01-03
Three 6. 0.P. Leaders
Decline Jackson Day
Dinner Invitations
Have No Place at Such
Meeting, Martin. MeNury
And Austin Feel .


sional lea ders, Representative
Joseph w. Martin, jr, of Massa-
chusetts, Senator McNary of Ore
gon and Senator Austin of Vermont.
yesterday sent letters declining in
vitations to attend the $100-a-plate
Jackson Day dinner at which
President Roosevelt is to be the
principal speaker.
The burden of the three declina-
tions was that the Jackson Day
feast is being held principally to
raise campaign funds to elect a
Democratic President next Novem-
ber and that they felt they had no
place in such gathering.
The invitations were extended to
the Republican leaders by Homer
Cummings, former Attorney Gen.
eral in the Roosevelt cabinet and
now chairman of the Jackson Day
dinner. Mr. Cummings in his letter
said the invitations were being ex-
tended with the full knowledge of
the President and also that the
President was planning non-par-
tisan speech for the occasion.
Adjournment of Politics.
The gesture was interpreted by
the Republicans as an effort on the
part of the President to impress
upon the country that an 'emer-
gency" still exists on account of the
European war and that there should
be a continued adjournment of
politics"
In his reply to Mr. Cummings.
Representative Martin, Republican
leader of the House. said
II am very grateful to you for
your kind invitation to attend the
Jackson Day dinner. I quite agree
with you that it is a bit unusual
for me to be invited to attend a
dinner which is held for the avowed
purpose OF raising funds for the
Democratic 1910 campaign.
Not Partisan.
IF your meeting was to be non :
partisan and the funds were to be
devoted to some non-partisan pur-
pose, like the Red Cross or the
Finnish Relief, I would be happy to
enter into the meeting with a real
non partisan spirit. In fact, 1
would be willing to come in on a
paying basis.
u regret this is not the case and
consequently must decline your very
thoughtful and kind invitation.
May express to you my warm
personal greetings"
The Republican leader of the Sem
ate, Mr.. McNary, was even more
brief in his reply. He said:
Il sincerely appreciate this cordial
and courteous invitation, but shall
be unable to attend.
Ito all present I wish a pleasant
and profitable evening.
With sentiments of esteem and
deep appreciation"
Austin More Serious.
Senator Austin of Vermont, the
assistant Republican leader of the
Senate, was bit more serious in his
reply. He said:
II would be glad to have you say
in reply to the kind message of the
President, that regret that will
be unable to participate in the hos
pitality of the great Democratic
party because of the traditiona.
functions of this dinner; and my
high regard for the institution OF
party responsibility in the Amer
ican political system"
These regrets by the Republican
congressional leaders put an end tc
the speculation over the unusual
invitations extended to them by the
promoters of the Jackson Day din
ner. relied upon to raise a large part
of the funds for Democratic cam
paigns.
They have been regarded as all of
a piece with the Presidents invita-
ton to Col. Frank Knox, Repub-
lican vice presidential candidate in
1896, to become Secretary of the
Navy. which was extended by the
President early in December, but
which Col Knox declined, as it
has now come to light. The Repub-
licans do not intend to allow them
selves to become part of the window
dressing for IAN emergency" neces-
stating an adjournment of partisan
ro1iticc il, 1Od0 %hoy COW