The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-08-22
Edward J. Noble Not
In Senatorial Race
Greenwich Republican Denies He Resigned Govern
ment Post to Enter Politics in Connecticut

nation to President Roosevelt, my
primary interest is in the ma
tional defense and my reason for
resigning is to help hurry defense.
"True, this country isn't in the
war-today. Let's hope we won't
be. But who read this mornings
newspapers; who can look back at
the happenings of these past days,
and weeks, and months, and hon.
estly say that America isn't in
grave and immediate danger?
With all the terrible mistakes of
conquered people staring us
squarely in the face, are we going
to indulge in the same tragic
plumbers of hesitating, fumbling,
pussy-footing, doing-by-half?
1--WE are, unless Kings are done
and done quickly. That is why,
in my opinion, defense is the
vital issue before the American
people today and the first re-
quirement in national defense is
proper training of manpower.
Selective service is absolutely
essential to that training-selec-
tive service not tomorrow or q
vague few months away, but now!
That primary need is being en-
dangered, as the whole defense
program is being endangered, by
political maneuvers in Washing
ton. The Selective Service Bill
is being opposed by many mem
bers of Congress, principally by
Senator Wheeler of Montana and
Senator Maloney of my own State
of Connecticut. As American
citizens Senators Wheeler and Ma
loney have every right to oppose
the bill. I would be the last per-
son to challenge that right. But /
do most emphatically challenge
their right to say that in oppos-
ing it they represent the will of
their constituents.
"They have received letters
from the folks back home. Per-
haps more letters have been
against the Bill than for it. Some
of them are sincere. Some are
from persons known to the sena-
tors. But let's not be alto
gether fooled-many of, those let
tiers are part of well laid plan
for saboting all efforts toward
strong America. I know, however,
the sincere letter writers do not
represent a majority opinion. If
the senators want to know what
their people really think-not Just
the letter writers-let them take
a look at the poll of the Insti-
tute of Public Opinion, the So
called Gallup poll. Over 60 per
cent of the people want selective
training and want it now!
II will go further. I want to tell
Senator Maloney that his own
State of Connecticut-yes, his own
City of Meriden-is over so per
cent for immediate selectiye train
ng. The same is true Of Senator
Wheeler's own state and own city.
The same is true in every section
Of American life-the rich, the
poor, the young, the old, the
bosses, the workers-57 to So per
cent Of all of them are for 1t. II
Senator Maloney still doubts that,
I will let him pick any city or
town in Connecticut and will pay
for a thorough and accurate poll,
under the senator's own super
vision Of that city or town. And
] make the same offer, for Mon
tana, to Senator Wheeler.
Someone must take off the
brakes in Washington and start
the preparedness program rolling
with all the spirit Of which q
great and aroused nation Is ca
pable. I plan 10 give my voice
and time and money 70 this cause,
for the good and safety Of my
country"