Evening star., 1940-05-26
Byrnes Says Landon
Misrepresents Party
On Third-Term Issue
But Strong Support
Comes From Vondenberq
On Rejection Thesis
8y the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, OF
South Carolina, an administration
supporter, declared yesterday that
ALI M. Landon had "misrepresented"
the Republican party when he
called on President Roosevelt to
renounce any third-term intention
in order to strengthen the Presi-
dents position for national defense.
Strong support for Mr.. Landon's
stand came, however, from Senator
Vandenberg, Republican, Of Michi-
gan, a Republican presidential aspi-
rant.
II happen to agree" Senator
Vandenberg told reporters shortly
after Senator Byrnes had made his
statement, that a presidential de-
nial of a third-term idea would be
the greatest invitation to unity
which the country could enjoy"
Mr.. Landon, the 1896 Republican
presidential nominee, had lunch
con conference with the President
last Wednesday. Afterward he gave
reporters a statement ins which
he said that any Republican leader
who took a position in the enlarged
national defense setup in an effort
to render unselfiSh national service
"is making himself party to this
third or indefinite term move"
If President Roosevelt is equally
interested in unselfish service, he
should publicly and forthwith eiim-
mate himself as third-term candi-
date" Mr.. Landon declared.
Says Support Is Shown.
Senator Byrnes asserted that
"when Mr.. Landon states in so
many words that Republicans will
not support the President unless he
eliminates himself from considera-
ton for a third term, he misrepre-
sents the views of the Republicans
in Congress who have shown Ly
their votes this week that they
would support the defense program
without insisting on any political
trade"
Even as Senator Byrnes criticized
the Kansan's stand, word circulated
on Capitol Hill that Mr.. Landon
was determined to have a strong
voice in the formulation of the
platform at the Republican National
Convention starting in Philadelphia
June "a.
The former Kansas Governor, it
was said, has asked other party
leaders to confer with him on plat
form questions in advance OF the
convention. Those expected to con-
suit with Mr.. Landon, reliable per-
sons reported, include Col. Frank
Knox, his running mate in 1886,
and Senator McNary of Oregon and
Representative Martin of Massa-
chusetts, the Senate and House
Republican. leaders, respectively.
The Landon conferences would be
held coincidentally with the sched-
uled preconvention sessions OF the
Platform Committee.
Will Not Tie Hands.
Mr.. Landon was reported to have
rejected suggestions that he head
the Platform Committee because he
feared that might tie his hands in
fighting for his ideas. Senator
Capper, Republican. of Kansas told
reporters that the former party
etandard-bearer would insist ION
liberal platform which will appeal
to the progressive element Of the
country"
Senator Vsndenberg, who voted
for emergency defense appropri-
ations asked by the President, said
he and other Republicans had been
glad to cast their votes as con-
tribution to unity in behalf of
national defense.
I'VE will have unanimously sup
ported the appropriations sought by
the President, but we have not
hesitated to question the efficiency
with which previous defense appro-
priations have been spent and to
demand better methods in the
future" he declared
1T would be desperately unfor-
tunate if this were not true. Unity
in final action must be preceded by
free and vigorous exploration to
be sure that the final unity does not
mask fateful mistakes. The Re-
publican opposition most emphati-
cally needs to continue to be critical
IN these respects"
Representative Fish, Republican,
Of New York said in an address pre-
pared for radio delivery that it
would be Ito the lasting credit" of
the President If he would remove
himself from the presidential race
with clear statement.
In their weekly columns, Charles
Nicholson and Franklyn Waltman,
Democratic and Republican pub
licity directors, also discussed the
effect of the European war and
the defense question on the political
situation.