Evening star., 1940-06-13
Republicans 10 Open
Platform Hearings
On Wednesday
Convention to Be Most
Important in Porty's
History, Says Hamilton
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Public hearings before the Reso-
buttons Committee of the Repub-
lican National Convention of those
interested in proposals for the party
platform will begin Wednesday in
the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Phil
adelphia, National Chairman John
Hamilton announced today.
Mr.. Hamilton said that already a
number of persons have signified
their desire to be heard. particu-
1arly in regard to the plank dealing
with foreign affairs.
Those wishing to be heard. Mr..
Hamilton said, should make appli-
cation to the committee secretary
next Monday, when the committee
opens It's sessions.
For the first time. the prospective
Resolutions Committee is meeting a
week in advance of the convention
In order to give more time for care
full consideration of the platform. a
draft OF which will be prepared for
submission to the convention.
Importance Emphasized.
The 1910 Republican convention
will be the most important in the
history of the Republican party for
the reason that it occurs at time
of crisis in both domestic and ma
tlonal affairs, said Mr. Hamilton,
when the leadership of the Re-
publican party is needed as never
before.
The people of the country will
look to the Republican party to
rescue it from the mire of despond-
ency in which the inept, extravagant
and wasteful New Deal Administra-
tion has enveloped the American
people.
Furthermore. there is very grave
danger to our democratic institu-
tions in the prospect of third term
and all that it implies in the trend
toward totalitarianism in this
country.
"Of equal gravity is the situation
conforming the Nations defenses.
which, despite large sums expended
during the last seven years, are
woefully deficient.
10 those who have mishandled this
most vital problem in the face of
months of warning and of a full
knowledge of the country'S unpre-
paredness to meet an emergency.
The economic and social future
OF the country depends on the Re-
publican party for return to those
principles of Government which
have made our people great, pros
porous and happy.
Beyond and above all these
things. the people must look to the
Republican party if the peace of the
Nation is to be preserved"
Mr.. Hamilton and his staff are
leaving to open headquarters in
Philadelphia.
Tickets Call for Five Days.
The chairman indicated that a
convention of longer duration than
usual is in prospect. He pointed out
that at least 10 candidates for the
presidential nomination are expected
to be placed formally in nomination.
The national committee is recon-
mending that all nominating speech
es be limited to 80 minutes and sec
ending speeches to minutes, and
that the number of seconding
speeches be limited to four. Each
candidate, If all the time we're used,
would occupy so minutes of the con-
vention's time. If demonstrations"
are counted in, the delegates may be
in for a dozen hours or more-prob-
ably considerably more-before all
the nominations are concluded.
For the first time since 1920 the
tickets of admission to the conven-
ton call for five days. They have
called for only four days at the last
four national conventions.
1t was conceivable the convention
might last for a week, Mr. Hamilton
said, but he expressed the opinion
1t would be over in five days.
Keynote Speech June "a. i.
On Monday, June "a. the dav the
convention opens, nothing will be
done beyond the formal organiza-
ton. with keynote speech by Gov.
Stassen of Minnesota, the tempo
rary chairman, delivered that night.
Tuesday will be given over to such
committee reports as may be ready,
with former President Herbert
Hoover speaking at night session.
The platform probably will be laid
before the convention Wednesday
and that night nominations will
start.
Several newly selected members
of the Resolutions Committee were
announced, among them former
Gov. ALI M. Landon of Kansas, Re-
publican standard bearer in 1896.
The Republican National Com
mittee is to meet on Wednesday,
also in the Bellevue -Stratford, to
hear arguments of contesting dele
cations from Alaska, Florida, Louis
lana, Mississippi and South Caro-
lima, and also individual delegate
contests from Georgia. Illinois,
Michigan, Missouri and North Car
DINA.
Mr.. Hamilton announced that the
following had accepted to serve as
chaplain of the convention:
DR.. Albert Joseph Mccartney, pas
tor of the Covenant First Presby-
terian. Church in this city, Den
mis- Cardinal Dougherty, Arch
bishop of Philadelphia; DR.. Paul H.
Andreen, pastor of the Luthern
Church of Cokato. MINI; Bishop
John Andrew Gregg Of Kansas
City, Kans., Bishop of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, and
Rabbi Michael Aaronsohn, blind
World War veteran, former ma
. tional chaplain of Disabled Veterans