The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-06-25
Thomas E. Dewey Has
Lead Position In Race
CONTINUED From Page u

non-interventionistS that the foreign
relations plank was suficiently anti
war TO suit them.
A group Of western congressional
Republicans representing 20 states
joined the stop Willkie movement,
complaining that the party should
not nominate a candidate who could
not stand firmly on the record Re-
puhlicanS have made In Congress,
Hoover Has Them Guessing
Mr., Hoover'S convention appear
ance has the party guessing, He
had said often enough that he would
not again seek public ofilee-but
there had been no word from him
on what he would do II the ofiice
sought him, In the confused sit
uatiou prevailing here, any dark
horse had o fair chance TO be NOM
mated and Mr.. Hoover had q bet
ter chance than most, There were
hoomletS for him here and there
and q deadlock among leading con-
tenders easily could create q sit
uation favorable for their growth,
Gov, StaSSen Of Minnesota, one OF
the few Republicans In public life
who honestly can say he has no
chance for this nomination, key
noted the convention into battle
with the Roosevelt administration
last night, StaSsen, SO, Is too young
by two years to be present,
Delegates received his address
with alternate periods OF cheering
and silence, 1t failed to provoke
q parade which Is the final gesture
Of appreciation from q political con-
vention audience.
StaSSen, after q prelude Of aSsur-
anc that the nation would support
the Roosevelt administration on q
national unity basis so long as II
remained in office, called on Re-
publioans to turn the New Deal out
next November,
No Detailed Policies
He did not attempt to commit the
party TO detailed policies, but he
denounced President Roosevelt'S
suggestion for compulsory govern
ment service for the nations young
men, and seemed to favor, instead,
some kind Of military training under
army officers, technical training In
vocational schools and In industry,
and moral training In churches,
schools and homes. Compulsory
training as suggested by Mr., RooSe-
velt he said, was mot the Amer
lean way"
StaSsen condemned the adminis-
tration for failing TO prepare the
nation for national defense, oharg-
Ing that; "our leaders have been
jauntily knocking chips Off shoul-
ders without preparing our army
and navy, For q long time our for
eign policy has been q policy of big
noise and little stick--and even that
little stick on order "a re-
ference TO ornaments on order but
not available for immediate de.
fense), We need again, and how we
need again, o calm, resolute voice
and q big stick"
Unless q Hoover boom sweeps the
convention II appears now that
the early ballot battle must bt
fought out among District Attorney
Thomas Il, Dewey, Taft and Willkit
with Dewey almost certain TO take
the lead on ballot No. /. There wa,
q notwithstanding contentmen
among Taft supporters rs the anti,
Willkie movement developed undel
circumstances suggesting that tn,
Ohio senator was likely TO benetl
from II most,
Embedded deeply In the western
movement against Willkie, as II wa
organized among congressional rep,
resentatives OF 20 states who me-
here yesterday, was opposition L
the administrations reciprocal trad,
program which Willkie has refuset
TO repudiate,
His supporters said Willkie woult
stand pat for the reciprocal trad,
principle while conceding that there
might have been individual in.
stances In which II had been unsat.
isfactory or unjust, Willkie was rep.
resented as believing that these
conditions should be adjusted rather
than the program should be aban.
doned altogether.