Evening star., 1940-03-01
|Weir Answers Critics
with Defense Of
|G. 0. P. Frank Report
Dispute Over Porty's
LiberoIity May Cloud
FumiIiur Issues
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

BY JOHN c. HENRY.
The oratorical and columnar
battle over whether the Republican
party is or Is not an instrument of
political nberality was threatening
today to overshadow the familiar
issues Of primaries, third terms and
kissing babies.
Apparently deeply hurt by
scattered barrage of criticism at the
choice Of Ernest T. Weir, steel mag
nate, as chairman of its Finance
Committee, the Republican National
Committee jumped into action to-
day with a release issued in the
name of Mr.. Weir.
Mr.. Weir, carefully noting that at
one time he had to worry about
where the next meal was coming
from"-a fate from which "the for
tunate circumstance of aristocratic
birth" has never visited up "the New
Deals Astors, Biddles, Cromwells,
Davies, Drexels, Earles and Roose-
velts"-repudiated assertions that
his selection as top financier of the
G. o. P. assures any party disregard
for the relatively liberal principles
enunciated recently for Republican
platform consideration by the Glenn
Frank Committee.
Letter to Columnist.
In fact, Mr.. Weir declared with
marked emphasis, Il am behind the
Glenn Frank report I have
supported the principles which the
report enunciates from the days
when the work first started"
Specifically, Mr.. Weir's pronunci-
amento was in the form of letter
to Raymond Clapper, newspaper
columnist, in answer to a critical
article by Mr.. Clapper. The piece
in question, Mr.. Weir wrote, lis
In the same vein as some other
statements that have appeared in
sufficient numbers to indicate the
beginning of a sniping campaign
against the Republican party"
To substantiate his statement
that he approves of the Frank re-
port and its principles, Mr.. Weir
quoted letter which he said he
had written Mr.. Frank on Septem-
Der %, 1898, containing the fol-
lowing:
I'VE must tell the people what
the party stands for, and the party
must become more understanding
about the aims and ambitions and
thoughts Of the people. 1t must
again be a party of the people and
not of any special interests.
Il am convinced that YOU
have clear understanding of all
this, and I am more hopeful now
than ever that you will eventually
bring out document that will be
1oundatlon on which the rejuve-
mated Republican party can stand
and that will meet with the approval
OF the great mass of voters"
Fears for Freedom.
In today's statement, Mr.. Wei,
added that Il do not condemn every
thing that this administration has
done but I am convinced tina,
If the New Deal is continued fol
four more years - that will be the
end of American freedom and o1
the hope of American progress and
prosperity"
MIR. Weir's party appointment was
assailed in the Senate yesterday by
Senator Minton, Democrat, of In.
diana, who described the selection
as the "pay-off" on efforts to prove
that the G. o. P. is 'the great friend
OF labor" Republican Chairman
John Hamilton described his party
Is such a friend in speach several
days ago.
Labor is too smart Senator Min
ton said, mot to know that Mr.. Weir
will expect his quid pro quo, and
that labor will be the quid. I am
sure that labor will not be diverted
by the f1irtations of Hamilton from
the snickersnee in the form of the
person of Ernest Weir"
Farm-Belt Dinners.
Liberality of a different sort Is
likely to be discussed by a squad
ron of Democratic party speakers,
headed by President Roosevelt,
scheduled to address "at least
100000 farmers and almost certainly
more" at series of farm belt din
ners on March 8.
Announced yesterday by Secre-
tary of Agriculture Wallace as q
non-partisan observance of the birth
Of the Agricultural Adjustment Act
in 1888. the dinners will be held in
10 States. President Roosevelt, Mr..
Wallace and Postmaster General
Farley will speak by radio to the
diners.
And q Iberality of humor was
expected, or at least hoped for,
from a gathering Of presidential
hopefuls or possibilities as guests
of the National Press Club here
tonight.
Asked to talk "in fun and of the
record" the following have accepted
invitations to appear: Attorney
General Jackson, Security Admins
traitor McNutt and Senator Wheeler
of Montana, Democrats; Thomas
E. Dewey of New York, Senator
Vandenberg of Michigan and Rep
resentative Barton of New York,
Republicans; Norman Thomas, So