Evening star., 1940-03-20
vandenberg Rejects
Bids 10 Take Stump
In Middle West
Will Stand on Record,
He Writes Supporters in
Wisconsin und Nebraska

Senator Vandenberg of Michigan
has written his supporters for the
Republican presidential nomination
in Wisconsin and Nebraska he will
stand on his record, made during
the last IL years in the Senate, and
not attempt to stump those States
before the primaries at which dele
gates to the G. o. P. national con-
vention are chosen.
In both States Senator Vanden-
berg is opposed in the primaries by
Thomas E. Dewey, New York dis
trict attorney. Mr.. Dewey has
already been in Nebraska and will
go there again. He will tour Wis
consin next week The Wisconsin
primary takes place April and
that in Nebraska April g. Mr.. Dewey
plans 20 stops in Wisconsin.
The Michigan Senator has been
asked by friends in both States to
visit Wisconsin and Nebraska and
deliver speeches before the pri-
maries. His replies, made public
today, were addressed to 1t. Gov.
Walter S. Goodland of Wisconsin,
running for delegate at large on the
Vandenberg slate, and Kenneth S.
Wherry, chairman of the Republi-
can State Committee in Nebraska.
Real Test of Sentiment.
Much depends on the outcome of
the voters on Republican presiden-
tial possibilities. If Senator VAN
denberg should win-and his friends
insist he will-the chances of Mr..
Dewey would be greatly lessened.
The New Yorker must maintain a
reputation for popularity with the
voters. The theory back of his can
didacy is that he has won the
imagination of the people by his
racket busting and conduct of his
Office in New York.
Senator Vandenberg, in his let
ters, declared his primary respon-
sibility kept him in Washington and
in the Senate. He is member of
both the Finance and Foreign Rela-
tions Committees. Within a short
time the Senate will begin its con-
sideration of the bill to extend the
life of the Reciprocal Trade Agree
ments Act. Senator Vandenberg is
strongly opposed to the law as it
stands. Mr.. Dewey has not yet
taken stand on the issue involved
and attempts will be made to smoke
him out during his visits to the
Middle West where the reciprocal
trade agreements have been under
fire particularly.
"My record is we'll known" Sen
ator Vandenberg wrote to 1t. Gov.
Goodland and Mr.. Wherry. "It is
written on Senate roll calls for the
last II years. No one need guess
where I stand on any of the issues
OF the day, and I could add nothing
to Wisconsin'S Cor Nebraska's) rele-
want information about me by
stumping your State, and 1 could
take nothing from the record as it
stands. 1t is far better basis for
an authentic opinion than anything
I could say"
Says People Should Decide.
The Michigan Senator said, too,
II have persistently clung to the
view that the presidential deci-
sion this year is too desperately
important to be pursued in the in
terest of any personal aspiration.
The choice of the convention should
flow from the deliberate judgment
of the American people and not
from the transient impulse of a
campaign tour. Holding this view, it
would be out of character for me
personally to enter this primary con-
test. If the convention ultimately
chooses me, I shall enter the cam
paign with every energy and re-
source at my command"
Senator Vandenberg's principal
opponents for the Republican presi-
dental nomination, Senator Taft
of Ohio and Mr.. Dewey, have
toured the country for months,
while Mr.. Vandenberg has made
only one speech, that in st. Paul
at the time of the Lincoln birthday
celebrations last month.