The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-30


were so per cent pro Willkie.
Rather, my judgment was that
they were so per cent anti-Roose-
welt. l based my opinion upon
talks I'd had with them. by the
dozens and scores.
II struck me as odd that our
people out in the sticks should be.
as indicated by straw investiga-
tors, so strongly prof.. d. r.,
whereas the capitals own press
gang impressed me as so decidedly
anti We represent newspapers all
over the United States. Why. I
asked myself, didn't we reflect the
sentiments of the numerous COM
munities we hail from? Further
more, we all see the president q
couple Of times weekly, at his reg
ular conferences with the corre-
spondents. Had large majority
Of US, l queried internally. taken a
dislike to him personally?
Anyway, l disseminated my so
per cent guess.
1t was much resented by the
other 20 per cent Of club members.
They said 1t was perfectly ride
ulous.
Hull to the Rescue
The New Deal management.
however, took sufficient notice Of
II to decide that it was desirable
to send a pretty competent mis-
sionary up to the club to convert
US. The president himself wasn't
available but they hit on State
Secretary Cordell Hull.
Well, we like to have big men
address us. Cordells very popu-
lar. too. He isn't an impressive
orator-too squeaky. He's authori-
tative, though. And he chose as
his subject, American Foreign
Policy" concerning which Wendell
Willkie says he's more of an adept
than President Roosevelt himself,
The board of governors jumped at
getting him.
He was scheduled TO spellbind
the club at a dinner In the big
auditorium Saturday evening, Oc-
tober 26.
Generally members are allowed
to bring guests to these functions.
but In this instance II was reck-
oned that there wouldn't be room
even for all the members, so guests
were barred. Indeed, the governors
were fearful that lot Of mem.
bers wouldn't be able to get in;
thus that many would be sore.
There was talk Of putting in loud
speaker, to enable the overflow to
hear the address out in the lounge.
the restaurant, the lobby and the
bar. Admission was fixed at SO.
The ordinary rate Is rs cents.
Black neckties were specified.
Ticket seekers were urged to come
early and avoid the rush.
They didn't come - not In for
midable numbers.
Presently the entertainment COM
mittee members began to wiring
their hands Then they sent out
notices TO the effect that they had
lot Of tickets left over. Oh, yes,
they said, guests would be admit
ted, after all Come in. for gosh
sake, and buy tickets for EN-.
At this moment Of writing the
event hasn't been quite pulled OF,
but l imagine they'll succeed in
filing the auditorium, counting
guests, whom the governors, con-
sidering the membership flop, have
been nightly glad to get
Why So Indifferent
Now, why were the members so
clammy?
For one thing, as surmised,
they've been so per cent anti
Roosevelt and they've figured that
this was a pro-Roosevelt occasion
Furthermore, they're privileged
to listen to Secretary Hull at his
regular press conferences. for
nothing, and haven't particularly
fancied the notion OF hearing him
say the same things at SO per shot
Finally, I'm convinced that they
drew the line on black neckties. a
newspaperman after working hard
all day doesn't tale IN the Idea ~