Evening star., 1940-10-21

|Wi|Ikie Issues New
Challenge for Joint
Debate With Roosevelt
President Is Invited to
Shore PIotform in
Baltimore October 80
Tert OF Willkie radio talk on
Mobilization for Human Needs Is
nm Pane R.S
By ]. A. O'LEARY.

BY J. A. OLEARY.
ABOARD THE WILLKIE SPE-
CIAL IN WISCONSIN,, Oct. al
Before starting across Wisconsin
today, Wendell Willkie laid on the
White House door step again the
challenge with which he began his
campaign two months ago-that
President Roosevelt meet him on
the same platform.
In his first formal announcement
that he will speak in Baltimore the
night of October 80. Mr.. Willkie
deftly suggested that he would be
"delighted" to have the President
share the platform with him that
evening.
AS he rested yesterday on his
special train in Minneapolis, the
Republican nominee told the press
he had been informed that the COM
mittee arranging for his Baltimore
appearances had secured the only
hall adequate ''for a meeting to &C
commodate those who would like
to hear either of the candidates for
President"
LAS result" the statement con-
tinued, lit is understood, Mr.. Roose-
velt was compelled to cancel his
proposed Baltimore speaking en-
gagement for that date.
Offers to Share Platform.
Mr.. Willkie. in an effort to avoid
any possible inconvenience to the
President or disappointment to the
people Of Baltimore, has wired those
in charge Of arranging his meeting
to get in touch with those who had
been arranging for the Presidents
appearance and offer to share the
platform with Mr.. Roosevelt Mr..
Willkie informed the committee he
would be delighted to have the
president on the same platform
with him in Baltimore"
The fact that the President al
ready had declined an invitation
OF the Baltimore Federation of
Labor to speak in the Monumental
City on the same night the Repub-
lican nominee is scheduled to be
there did not lessen the directness
of the challenge contained in the
Willkie statement.
Press reports from Baltimore in
dicated some local Democrats were
attributing the Presidents decision
to the space facilities available. If
that was the reason, Mr.. Willkie
has eliminated it.
Renewal of the joint debate chal-
lenge came within few DAYS of the
Presidents decision to abandon nom
political inspection trips and make
five political addresses in the closing
days Of the campaign.
Point for Willkie Seen.
Close associates of the Republican
nominee regarded that decision as
distinct victory for Mr.. Willkie.
because he had hammered away in
all sections of the country at the
silence of the third-term candidate.
The Presidents political speaking
program opened the way for
debate, even though not a joint one,
as the campaign approaches the
home stretch. And some observers
saw in Mr. Wilkes Sunday state
ment'a follow-up move to put the
President on the defensive.
Mr.. Wilkes offer to let his oppo-
nent have half the platform in Bal
timore also was proof that, even
when he seems to be relaxing for a
few hours. he is still in the thick
of the fight.
Shortly before issuing the state
ment, Mr.. and Mrs. Willkie and
members of his campaign encourage
went to a motion picture exchange
IN Minneapolis to see a collection
of news reels of the campaign.
Sees Nomination Film.
There, for the first time, Mr..
Willkie saw himself being nomi-
mated by the Republican convention
in Philadelphia and heard again the
declaration he made to the dele
gates that he was taking up the
banner of leadership without obli-
cations or promises to any one. The
night the delegates nominated him
he sat by a radio in his hotel,
several miles away.
MI. Wlllkle also ndQ CnanCe 10
see camera shots Of the long cam
paign swing he has made from
coast to coast during the last five
weeks. 1t gave him chance to see
himself as others have seen him.
| Although the Republican nominee
is regarded as holding a lead in
Wisconsin. he returned this morning
to strengthen his chances of win
ming its IL electoral votes.
} Frequently the scene of three
cornered political battles, because
of the existence there of a Progress
sive party. Wisconsin again this
year presents conflicting currents.
For example, New Dealers are sup
porting Senator La Toilette, Pro-
gressive, in his fight for reelection,
! instead of the Democratic nominee.
Another unusual situation is that
Senator La Toilette is supporting
the third-term bid of President
/ Roosevelt this year, although in
1928 he sponsored the Senate reso-
luton disapproving a third term
whom Calvin Con1idue ,roc proeido,,t