Evening star., 1940-05-18
The Political Mill
Republicans Reject Theory Thot National Unity
Demands Third Term for Roosevelt

Austin Of Vermont, assistant Re-
publican leader of the Senate, and
Wendell Willkie, head Of the Com
monwealth g. Southern Power Co.,
have been put forward as Repub-
ican running mates with Mr.
Roosevelt. The idea is to have a
coalition government as far as pos
sible.
If the Democrats believe that
they can win again this fall, 1t is
not likely they will offer second
place on the national ticket to a
Republican. Nor is 1t likely that q
Republican would accept. The
coalition government idea has been
in the minds Of some of the admin
istrationists, even the President
himself. A few months ago he
offered to place Col. Frank Knox,
Chicago publisher and Republican
vice presidential candidate in 1885,
In his cabinet either as Secretary
Of War or Secretary of the Navy.
Col. Knox turned the offer down.
An indication that the New Deal
ers are inclined to soft pedal poll
tics-in the interests of the re-
election of President Roosevelt-is
found in the reported abandonment
of his projected Western trip in
June by the President himself. The
President planned a trip across the
continent, with several speeches,
after June 10. The trip would have
taken place during the meeting Of
the Republican National Conven-
ton. 1t was timed, in the opinion
of Democrats as we'll as Republi-
cans, to offset or blanket the news
Of the Republican convention.
Landon Chides President.
Former Governor of Kansas ALI
M. Landon, Republican presidential
nominee in 1886, speaking to the
Johnson County CMissourD Repub-
licans, last night. chided the Presi-
dent for his partisan attacks on
Republicans. even while he is asking
national unity in the face of the
foreign situation.
ut is not conducive to good feel
ing at home or respect abroad when
our President repeatedly attempts
to make bitter partisan capital out
Of every grave ISSUE" said Mr.. Lam
don. "One day our President speaks
OF the spreading horror confronting
us in foreign affairs. The next day
he starts political attack aimed to
drive yNan,1a into cf{
and plans a political swing around
the circle"
Mr.. Landon said that if the Presi-
dent wishes national unity he should
call of his political trip across the
continent in June.
New Dealers retort that If the
President and his administration
are to be subject to political attack
by the Republican enemy, there is
good reason why the President and
his supporters should make political
war on the G. o. P. There seems to
be justification for their attitude.
although the President is President
OF the whole Nation, as well as
President of the Democratic party.
Back National Defense.
Landon and all of the Republican
speakers up to date have declared
strongly for increased national de-
tense. And SO has the President,
who has made concrete proposals
for additional defense appropria-
tions to Congress. At the same time
Mr.. Landon and other Republican
speakers continue to insist that the
country needs to get rid of the New
Deal President and his administra-
ton.
There is more than a Whit of
politics in the attitude of the ad-
ministration leaders toward the
financing of the new billion dollar
expenditures for national defense,
just laid before Congress by the
President. With an election Just
around the corner, they do not wish
to levy new taxes. Nor do they
wish to have Congress increase the
statutory public debt limit-now
fixed at s45 900, ,000,000 So, it is now
proposed that the Treasury Depart
ment, If 1t can, tide the whole matter
of increased expenditures over until
Congress meets next January-two
months after the election.