Evening star., 1940-08-19
Wi||kie Plans 10 0pen
Speaking Tour in
Kansas Next Month
Walter Johnson Asked
To Introduce Him
At CoffeyviIIe
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
RUSHVILLE, Ind, Aug. 19.-
Wendell L. Willkie was completing
arrangements today to open a
Nation wide speaking campaign at
Cofeyville. Kans., in mid-Septem-
ber-unless, he said, President
Roosevelt would like to meet me
beforehand" in joint debates.
The Republican presidential nomi-
nee challenged the Chief Executive
Saturday to argue foreign and do
mestic issues face to face" but he
told reporters yesterday he had mot
heard a word from Washington" in
reply.
Il am waiting patiently" MIR.
Willkie said as he sat in the cream
colored home of his mother -in-law,
Mrs. Cora Wilk. Il will be glad 10
accommodate myself to any dates
the President wants to fix"
The candidate determined finally
on the Coffeyville engagement at a
Sunday luncheon conference with
Republican Chairman Martin.
The latter came here after Mr.
Willkie accepted the presidential
nomination at Elwood Saturday in
a speech calling for some form OF
selective service" and charging that
Mr.. Roosevelt "courted a war for
which the country is hopelessly un-
prepared
Asks johnson to Introduce Him.
Mr.. Willkie and Mr.. Martin out
lined a tentative itinerary for the
formers campaign. Coffeyville was
chosen for the first major address
because Mr.. Willkie taught high
school history there in 1884.
He is asking Walter Johnson, one
time Coffeyville resident and Big
Train" Of baseball, to introduce him.
The former Washington pitcher is
running for Congress in Maryland
on the Republican ticket.
Mr.. Willkie, his wife and son,
Philip, will stay here through
Wednesday and then may go to
Maine or Minnesota, after making
a brief stop in New York, The
Maine election is September 9, but
Mr.. Willkie said he would make
only short, informal talks if he
visited the State this month.
From Coffeyville, he likely will
go to the West Coast, touring from
Los Angeles up to Seattle. and then
back into the Midwest and the East
for the latter portion of the CAM
paign. He still is considering
speeches in the South, he said. add
ing that he would go into Texas
eff developments continue the way
they are going now"
Spends an Active Sunday.
Mr.. Willkie and Mr. Martin looked
over a big stack of kilograms which
the nominee said applauded his
Elwood address. There was "sur-
prisingly great reaction" he added.
The nominee spent an active Sum-
day, telling reporters he slept like
a baby following the Elwood pro-
gram, where he stood in a boiling
sun to read 55-minute address.
Up with the sun, he and Philip
looked over some OF the l,40O acres
of Willkie farmland in Rush County
and then joined Mrs. Willkie to at
tend the First United Presbyterian
Church.
Given Welcome at Rushville.
The Rev. Frank E. Wiley, 30-year-
old pastor, did not know they were
coming until an hour before the
service. He made no changes in his
sermon, HE Leadeth Me" but did
obtain some electric fans to help
cool the brick church.
Mr.. Willkie stayed indoors dur
ing an afternoon rain-the first in
nearly a month-but later went out
for walk. He had a full schedule
today, a visit to his farms in the
morning and a brief talk at 2:30
pm. at Rush County welcoming
program.
The Non-Partisan Arrangements
Committee explained the welcome
was for both Mr. and Mrs Willkie,
as this is the latter's home town.
Her schoolmates and former teach
ers were invited as special guests.
The Rushville High School Band
was increased to 100 pieces for the
occasion.