The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-05


G. O. p. candidates in recen
WiIikie feels that he won the
nomination ss result Of 9 popular
uprising. No boss--or smoke
filled room Of scheming politi-
eos-put him over. He was asked
for and gave no promises. He Is
not beholden 20 men like the
Kellys and Hagues any more than
he Is to wealthy, diplomatic play
boys like the Cromwells and Bull
hits.
That in why ne Is so anxious
10 accept the support Of UNI
herded Republicans and indepen-
dent Democrats. lie hopes to
win the White House as he cap
tured the prize at Philadelphia
by being himself and not a syn
thetie candidate who tries to be
all things TO all voters.
He even plans to be his own
publicity man. relying on no
Nicholson or Mellett to adver-
tise his qualifications or smear
the opposition. He will need pub
licists for routine work, of course.
But when COP insiders urged
him to hire a big name as his
propaganda. he replied: II will
write my own speeches, make my
own statements, and direct all
publicity from start to finish
Wendell Willlie counts on the
support Of an extremely power
ful group of voters which backed
FDR in 1892 and 1886. He ex-
poets to obtain the bulk of the
American Legion vote, in so far
as there is a community of politi-
cal and national interests among
World war veterans.
Numerous influential Legion
naires have pumped for him, and
more viii announce for him be-
fore election day. He already
has three former national COM
manders on his side-Stephen
Chadwick, Harry Colmery and
Hanford MacNider. When the
legion elects its new head at the
September convention, the pres
ent oemmander-Ray Kelly-will
declare for the COP candidate.
Teddy Roosevelt. a. legion or
ganizer, will stump the country
for him. 1t is not generally re-
allied, but Willkie is the first
active legionnaire to be nomi-
mated for the presidency. FDR's
membership Is only honorary.
ALI Landon never served over
seas, and took no real interest in
legion affairs.
Roosevelt has been fortunate
in his relationship to the legion
up to now. The ex-soldiers soured
on Herbert Hoover in 1882 be-
cause of his forcible expulsion
Of the bonus army from the capi-
tai. In 1896 they had just re-
ceived their full bonus payment,
and FDR was the beneficiary of
their gratitude. In 1910 their
hero may be his opponent.
Numerous backstage forces
combined to force temporary
postponement of favorable ac-
ton on the Burke Wadsworth bill
for compulsory military service
and national registration of all
males from Is to "a years of age.
The inside story demonstrates
that the movement for national
defense is progressing lamely and
haltingly.
President Roosevelt has in
dorsed the principle of the pro-
posal, but his Capitol Hill scouts
reported that the mailbags were
bursting with protests against
this specific measure. So he
hurriedly forestalled immediate
action by his letter asking for
authority to call out the national
guard.
Army spokesman explained
that they have neither the facili-
ties nor the weapons for training
a large number of men at the
present time. Congressman fac
ing reelection figured 1t smart to
delay any move for CONSUMPTION
until after November. Lastly,
the growing belief that Hitler
constitutes no menace to the
United States at present induced
house and senate to rear up
against hasty action.
The Republicans also envisaged
the bill as a political weapon
which FDR would use to arouse
war spirit on the eve of the
presidential balloting. So they
hssrlxal Narv - .-.S-n... 49, 49,.