Evening star., 1940-08-07
Wi|Ikie Plans Farley.
With Hoover, Landon
Prior 10 Acceptance
Farm Program Support
Is Seen as Effective Bid
For Agricultural Areas
BY ]. A. O'LEARY,
Star Staff Correspondent.


term bid, will confer before his vaca-
ton ends with Herbert Hoover and
ALI M. Landon, over whom the Pres
ident scored his previous victories
Returning here late yesterday
from flying week end trip into the
Iowa farm belt, Mr.. Willkie had 9
visit from Mr.. Landon tentatively
scheduled for Friday. He found
that postponement of the Kansan's
visit had become necessary, probably
until next week.
The time for his meeting with
former President Hoover also is un-
settled, but there is possibility Mr.
Willkie may make another quick
journey to Montana. If he does he
may meet Mr.. Hoover there. but nc
definite arrangements have been
made.
Farm Area Gain Is Seen.
Meanwhile, political observers In
this part of the country believe Mr.
Willkie boosted his chances in this
vast western area by the assurance
he gave at Des Moines that, ii
elected, he would not scrap the pres
ent farm program unless a better
one can be found.
While most of the farm States
west of the Mississippi were nor
mally Republican before 1882, the
New Deal has been liberal in seeking
to relieve their economic difficulties
For that reason, opposition to the
existing system of benefit payments
before a new plan is formulated
undoubtedly would have been dam
gerous course to take, politically. In
fact, the Republican convention at
Philadelphia gave assurance in the
platform that present benefit pay
ments would be continued until a
substitute Is worked out. e.
Indicates Careful Planning.
Nevertheless, Mr.. WILKES per-
sonal Endorsement of that pro-
nouncement was taken as another
indication that he intends to conduct
a carefully planned campaign, anal
yzing each New Deal issue on its
merits, rather than blanket assault
on the Roosevelt structure as a
whole.
This does not mean that he will
not advocate some changes in such
basic policies as the treatment OF
agriculture. But he is saving his
own prescription for his speech OF
acceptance, to be delivered at his
birthplace, Elwood, Ind, August II
1t is becoming increasingly appar-
ent to those who have followed his
campaign thus far that Mr.. Willkie
himself a Democrat until a few years
ago. will make strong bid for the
independent voter and the anti
third-term Democrats. 1t is this
factor that makes the approaching
campaign a livelier and more uncer-
tain contest than the Hoover bic
for reelection in 1882. or the Lam
don effort to defeat President Roose.
welt in 1886.
Evidence Each Day.
Each day brings new evidence oil
these unusual factors to Willkie
headquarters at this mountain re-
sort. Among the kilograms made
public last night was the following
one from Mrs. Walter D. Lamar
past director general of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy and a
trustee of Stratford Memorial Foun.
dation:
"The nomination for a third term
and the methods by which it was
secured, together with the dictatior
of bureaucracy that regiments and
a centralization that crushes, COM
bine to make it impossible for old
line States rights Democrats to
accept the results of the Chicago
convention. Satisfied that you stand
for liberal Democratic principles
There has been organized the Inde-
pendent Democrats who hope to
carry Georgia for you. When will
you visit us?"
Another message from Brock Penn.
berton, New York theatrical pro-
ducer, read: 'If can be of any
assistance in the theater in helping
you prepare for your Forthcoming
eight-year engagement in the title
role in The Second Great Enanci.
pator' please command me-"
|. A third telegram of Endorsement
came from George AIDE.