Evening star., 1940-10-27
Wallace Endorsement
OF La Toilette Splits
Wisconsin Democrats
Thot and COP. Solidarity
VirtuoIIy Put State
In Republican Bag
BY CHARLES W. HOLMBURC,


Special Correspondent OF The Star.
MADISON, Wis, Oct. 26.-Hen.v
A. Wallace's indirect Endorsement of
the reelection campaign Of Sena-
tor La Toilette, Progressive, and its
repercussions were the sensation OF
Wisconsin politics this week.
The Democratic candidates for
Governor and Senator. Francis E.
McGovern and James E. Finnegan,
walked out of the hall here Tuesday
night at the vice presidential NOM
inee's words. They were followed BY
others. The result has been a split
in the party, already in third place
in the State after the 1888 election,
and in view of G. o. P. solidarit--
virtually throws the State to Wen
dell L. Willkie.
President Roosevelt's close cor
nections with the Progressives ha
been a sore spot in Democratic cir
cles here for years. The spot W.
rubbed raw when Mr.. Wallace,
speaking to a Democratic rally at
tended by many Progressives, men
toned "the untiring support we in
Washington have received from the
Democratic and Progressive Con-
gressmen in Wisconsin and from
your senior Senator, Robert M. La
Toilette"
Statements Sprout.
After the walkout statements
abounded Edward Curry, Milwau-
kee County Democratic chairman,
called Mr.. Wallace's statement
"treacherous betrayal by one who
''is vice presidential nominee only
through the courtesy of the Demo-
cratic party" Mr.. McGovern said
it would split the party. Thomas
r. King, State chairman. differed.
saying: This faction can't say one
minute they're for President Roose-
velt and then act like that the next
minute"
Even harmonious relations be-
tween Democrats and Progressives
in the arrangements of the Wallace
meeting were challenged by the
forming of a committee of PRO
gressives for Willkie" under the di-
rection of DR.. Silas Evans, presi-
dent Of Ripon College, a former
Democrat now active in Willkie club
circles. Two obscure Madison Pro-
gressives are the only announced
committee members to date.
Mr.: Willkie himself left Wiscon-
sin last week after a dramatic and
colorful series Of public appear
ances convinced that the tumutuous
welcome and record-breaking crowds
that greeted him were sure-fre
proof that the Badger State would
go Willkie in November.
Surprised by Crowds.
We're on the march; we're goir =
to win" was his promise.
Accorded only a moderate recep-
ton in his previous visit to Wis
consin month ago. the Republican
nominee was greeted with terrific
outpouring of men, women and chill
dren as his 14-car special train
halted at half a dozen PRINCIPAL
cities on its journey from Min
neapolis to Milwaukee. Six thou
sand heard him at Wausau. even
more at Green Bay, 10000 at Apple
ton. 5000 at Oshkosh, and another
10000 at Fond du Lac.
With such a demonstration of
Wlllkle enthusiasm-there were few
boos and little heckling-candidates
for State office were overjoyed to
hear Mr. Willkie warmly indorse the
State ticket, including Senate Can
didate Fred L. Clausen and Gov.
julius P. He'll, candidate for re-elec-
ton. 1t was Mr.. WILKES first COM
mitment on State Office candidates.
The scene was in sharp contrast
to the 1896 appearance of Gov. Alf
M. Landon in Milwaukee. The Lam
don auditorium meeting was a rela-
lively cut and dried affair. The
big hall was not completely filled,
and no throngs lined his line CT
Sravel to the auditorium.