Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-18
Backs Draft,
Asks Roosevelt Meet
Him to Debate Issues
Thousands Pack EIwood to
Hear Address; Farley Called
On Campaign Itinerary
(Tert OF Wllkie Speech on
Page 49,
By ]. A. OLEARY,
Star Stan Correspondent.

ELWOOD, Ind. Aug. 1.-THE
next move was up to President
Roosevelt tonight. Thousands OF
tired supporters OF Wendell L. Will
kie headed home after Drawing
broiling sun here today and hear
ing him indorse selective military
service and challenge the President
to joint debate on the third-term
and other issues.
The loudest applause Mr.. Willkie
got from the throng that filled Call
oway Park to hear him formally &C
cept the Republican nomination
came when he respectfully invited
Mr.. Roosevelt to meet him, face
to face. in debate on the same
platforms.
Tonight Mr.. Willkie was back in
Rushville, 10 miles away, resting
from a day that he and Elwood will
long remember-a day in which
milling crowds swarmed around his
automobile, leaving patch scarce
ly wide enough for it to pass, as he
stood up, waving his straw hat and
beaming while the perspiration ran
down his face.
But he will not rest long. He plans
to make what he calls "a talk" TO
the town folk of Rushville Monday,
and rumors are that he may soon
60 up to Maine to speak before
that State holds its September cleo
ton.
Would Seek to Swell Vote.
Always two months ahead OF the
rest of the country. Maine is
rock ribbed Republican State. but
the size of the vote nevertheless is
watched as a barometer and politi-
cal observers figure the Republicans
hard-hitting new leader may make
one of his flying trips there to let
the voters see him before they cast
their ballots.
An hour after he had returned to
Rushville, Mr.. Willkie called at the
Lollis Hotel to see Gov Harold z.
Stassen of Minnesota, one OF his
chief campaign advisers, and again
found himself surrounded by
| crowd in the lobby.
The two points that stood out in
his speech of acceptance were:
|. His statement that some form
of Selective service is the only demo-
cratic way to obtain the trained men
necessary for national defense.
In Rushville MIR. WILKES
friends made it clear, the Asso-
ciated Press reported. he had
compulsory training in mind)
q His suggestion that President
Roosevelt meet him in debate. not
only on the third term but on their
differences in PHILOSOPHERS Of gov
eminent.
The first is certain to strengthen
the prospect for passage OF selective
service legislation by Congress. The
outcome of the second is more of
question mark 1t gave rise to spec
ulation on its reception at the
White House.
Drive to Start in Kansas.
The Willkie special train was
hardly back in Rushville tonight
when the nominee announced con-
ference for Sunday afternoon with
National Chairman Joseph w. Mar
tin, jr, to discuss the campaign itin-
erary. Ths formal drive probably
will start about mid-September at
Coffeyville, Kans., where Mr.. Wlllkie
taught school before beginning the
practice of law. He may visit Maine,
however. before this event.
Estimates of the crowd that
jammed the streets Of Elwood and
surrounded the platfoi m from which
Mr.. Willkie accepted the nomination
today were various figures, starting
at 100000 and going above 100000.
One fact seemed agreed upon. 1t
was the largest assemblage that ever
gathered to hear notification cere-
mony held weeks after a political
convention. President Roosevelt
drew huge crowd at Franklin Field
in Philadelphia four years ago, but
that was held on the closing of the
national convention, with the con-
vention crowds still in the city.
In connection with the probable
campaign opening a; Coffeyville. it
was recalled tonight that Mr. Willkie
Indicated recently that, if he went
tTtrc W speak, lie WOllO lIlNitc WAL
ter johnson, former pitching ace of
the Washington Baseball Club. who
come from there. The famous ball.
player is the Republican candidate
for the House this wear In the 9Th
Maryland district.
Edward F. Colladay, Republican
national committeeman for the Dis
trict of Columbia. led Washing
ton delegation to the ceremonies
at Elwood today and sat with other
national committeeman on the plat
form.
Nominee Draws Distinctions.
In his speech of acceptance Mr..
Willkie did not denounce New Deal
detectives in their entirety, nor did
he disagree with the Presidents re-
Gently declared policy of extending
Ito the opponents OF force the ma
terial resources of this Nation
Yet he drew a clear distinction
between his ideas and what he con-
tended are the PHILOSOPHERS of the
present administration, both in the
handling of foreign affairs and the
achievement of domestic recovery.
In the international field he de.