Evening star., 1940-10-26

by the confidence of the millions
who stand behind me.
Declares Third Term
Would Be National Evil.
The words I utter tonight rep
resent my mature conclusions
and my sincere convictions.
They are expressed because be-
lieve that the men and women
of labor. and all other Amer
leans, are entitled to know the
truth as I see it.
think the reelection of Presi-
dent Roosevelt for a third term
would be a national evil of the
first magnitude. He no longer
hears the cries of the people.
I think that the election of Mr..
Wendell Willkie is imperative in
relation to the country's needs.
I commend him to the men and
women of labor, and to the Ma
ton. as one worthy of their sup
port, and as one who will capably
and zealously protect their rights,
increase their privileges and re-
store their happiness.
1t is obvious that President
Roosevelt will not be reelected
for the third term unless he has
Ue overwhelming support of the
men and women of labor. If he
Is, therefore, reelected, it will
mean that the members of the
Congress of Industrial Organiza-
tons nave rejected my advice
and recommendation. | will ac-
cept the result as being the
equivalent of a vote of no con-
fidence, and will retire as presi-
dent of the Congress of Indus
trial Organizations, at its con-
vention in November. This action
will save our great movement,
composed of millions of men and
women, from the embarrassment
and handicap of my leadership
during the ensuing reign of
lNoiNCIlG IlOOSCtCll.
To the leaders of the c. I. O.
its executives, staff officers and
field representatives, know, and
have worked with, each of YOU.
Upon some of you 1 have be-
slowed the honors which you
now wear. Through the years of
struggle you have been content
that l should be in the forefront
OF your battles. I am still the
same man. Sustain me now or
repudiate me. l will not chide
you, and will even hope that you
Will not regret your action.
To the mine workers of the
Nation, who know me best. and
who have always been the shock
troops in the forward march of
labor, I say it is best for you, and
for those you love, to help oppose
the creation of political dicta-
torShip in free America.
To the steel workers, the
automobile workers, the ship
builders. the maritime workers.
the lumber workers in the far
Northwest, the textile workers,
the Whlte-cOllar workers and the
men and women Of labor in the
miscellaneous industries. I say
I have worked for You and have
fought for you. Believe me now,
when l say that your interests.
and the interests of the FAM
lies you support, lie in the ac-
ceptance OF the truth of the
words I speak tonight.
Tells Farmers Their Interests.
Are Tied With Industry.
To the farmers of the Nation
I say that I know something Of
your problems. ! was born and
reared in an agricultural State.
You cannot be prosperous while
the urban and industrial popula-
ton is idle and debaSed. The
national income must be in
creased. so that your crops will
move to market at prices that
will sustain you. Your interest
lies in aggressive support of MI
Willkie.
To the youth Of America. many
of whom Will cast their first vote
in November, l say that the road
of opportunity for YOU lies in the
election of Wendell Willkie for
President. Surely you wish to
preserve the privileges for which
Your elders and your forbears
fought. Surely you wish to widen
sthe horizon of opportunity for
yourselves and your contempo-
rary citizens.
To the members of the Negro
race III our Northern States 7
say your incomes as a group are
the lowest; your living conditions
are the poorest; your unemploy-
ment is the highest: discrimina-
ton against you is the worst.
Surely you have no cause to be-
lieve that President Roosevelt is
an indispensable man. and surely
you believe that Wendell Wllkie
can and will do more for you
than has been done in the last
seven years. AS proven friend
of the Negro race, 1 urge you to
vote for Willkie.
You millions of young men
who have qualified for the