The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-14

Except for some full-page news paper ads and radio speeches after the deStroyer-base swap, covertly attacking aid to Britain and the defense program, the organization has operated largely in the back ground. At present it is con- cen.rating on raising money and building up a nationwide network of local units, similar to the op- position William Allen White Con- mittee to Defend America by Aid ing the Allies.
 This restraint is not due to mod esty. America First is merely bid- ing its time. Plenty will be heard from 1t when the rhetorical guns begin to roar.
 America First is we'll fitted for the leadership of its cause. Under its banner are united the spokesmen of the various ele- ments that constitute the chief opposition to the Governments foreign policy = Is0lationistS, big business appeasers, pacifists, fellow travellers, and sub-rOsa Fascists.
 The origin of the committee is as interesting as its membership. America First is the product of Yale University, the brain-child of R. Douglas Stuart, Jr, 24-year- old law school senior and son Of the first vice president of the Quaker Oats Go.
 THE CONCEPTION
 Stuart got his Hedging move ment off to a rousing start by staging a meeting for Colonel Lindbergh, with the aid of group of classmates and the faculty ele- ment sponsored speech by Earl Browder, head of the U. s. Com munist party. The same argument of freedom of speech was used to defend both affairs.
 Lindbergh's talk was a big suc- cess, and Stuart's movement att tracted the notice of certain busi- ness and social leaders in Chi cago. Chief among them were General Robert Wood, head of Sears, Roebuck; Edward L. Ry- erson, director of Inland Steel and number of other large con- cerns, including Quaker Oats; Mrs. Aver Fairbank, wealthy so- cialite: and Chester BOwles, chair man of Benton and BOwles, one of the biggest advertising firms in the country.
 Though these potent contacts, Stuart quickly met others who were keenly interested in the
 possibilities of his movement.
 Among them were William Castle, Under Secretary of State in the Hoover Cabinet, one of the closest intimates of the for mer President, and the original
 master mind behind Lindbergh;
 Senator Burton K. Wheeler. iso- lationist Democrat; and Senator
 Bob Taft, runner-up for the
 COP presidential nomination at Philadelphia.
 Stuart became so enthusiastic about Taft and his isolationist views that at the Philadelphia convention he refused to swing over to Willkie even after he was nominated, because Willkie advo- cated aid to Britain.
 THE BIRTH
 inexperienced and somewhat naive, young Stuart and his move ment were quickly taken In hand by skilled veterans.
 Wood, Bowles and other inter- ested business men put their firms publicity staffs to work on a big- scale profnotional drive. They also obtained the crack services Of Hsaaten, Barton. DuFstine & Os- bern, Of which COP Representa- tive Bruce Barton is president: Ruthrauff 6E Ryan; and several other big-shot advertising outfits.
 It was this aggregation of mas- ter minds that planned and placed the newspaper ad campaign. The ads were prepared in rough draft by Stuart and turned over to Wil- Ham B: Benton. vice president Of the University Of Chicago and fore foundIy lFoubled eonepience whM