Evening star., 1941-01-15

Inc excuse given Tor absence OF
direct comment was that the Presi-
dent could not take notice of the
statement of an individual" The
incident would be of secondary i'm
portance If it were not for the fact
that millions of persons who are
being asked every day to forget par
tisanship are wondering just what is
behind the Presidents attitude to-
ward Wendell Willkie. Never dur
Ing the course of the presidential
campaign did Mr., Roosevelt men
ton Mr.. WILKES name and never
since then has he done so. There
has been no occasion for comment
since the election, but it was con-
sidered significant in Washington
that when both men were invited
to the Gridiron dinner the Presi-
dent declined to attend such din
ner even though he had been a
regular attendant for many years.
He said he would have TO be away
on a vacation. but he arranged his
return so he would arrive just one
day after the dinner.
Many Saw Opportunity.
When Mr.. Winkie took mis- politi-
cal life in his hands this week and
deliberately went against the desires
of the other party leaders so as to
mobilize sentiment behind the Pres
ident's program, many here thought
that at last the President would
take advantage of the opportunity
to emphasize his gratitude that the
titular leader of the opposition party
had risen above partisanShip to get
behind a cause that was bigger
than any political party. 1t would
have given the other Republicans
something to worry about. But in
stead, the talk on Capitol Hill now
Is just the reverse. The argument
Is made by Republicans that Mr.
Roosevelt still is engaged in political
combat and that his proposals for
defense are not basically concerned
with national defense as much AS
they are allegedly with the en-
trenchment of the radical and
spendthrift philosophy which has
permeated the, administration for
seven years.
It is most unfortunate that in
times like these what seem to be
natural opportunities to lift public
life above the pettiness of squabbles
and grudges are not given full play.
Politics leads to considerable bit
terness at times, but the saving
grace OF our partisanship is that it
usually remains good-mannered,
ampersonal and rather chivalrous.
Made Plea for Unity.
The average voter likes fair play
In politics and when a loser in a
political contest fails to congratulate
the victor or when he fails to give
him an ungrudging message of good
wishes, there is always a reaction
against the loser-even by those who
voted for him. Mr.. WILKES course
since the election has been eminent
~ correct. He made a remarkable
plea for unity and for support of
Mr.. Roosevelt on Armistice Day i'm
mediately after the election. Not
q word of comment, however, direct
or indirect, came from his opponent.
Today Mr.. Willkie stands again
as q broad-gauged man who, sup
pressing partisan feeling, has come
out in favor Of program which is
bitterly assailed by the members Of
his own party. In the face of this
record, the puzzlement will continue
&c
planation of the sullen behavior of
the administration toward a man
who won the largest number of
votes ever polled for q losing can
didate prior to 1910.
It Is not Mr.. Willkie alone who
may feel sighted, but the millions
Of persons who supported him. Any
body who thinks that is a good way
to acquire support for an admins
tration bill at the time of greatest
danger to our national security must
have gotten his ideas of legislative
tact from a textbook that might
well be labeled-'how to lose votes
and influence opposition"
The Presidents bill represents a
S' uSadi oVdSC All Vic plCScIlI WCIlQ
war. The opposition is 81 two kinds
those who distrust the President
and believe him anxious for power
on the foreign situation, which they
say he would misuse for domestic
purposes, and those who believe the
proposal itself may produce compn-
cations that will hasten war.
Must Evidence Nom -Partisanship.
Mr.. Roosevelt has rightly endeav-
ored to mobilize opinion on the radio
and through the press to assure the
Nation that his plan would actually
prevent war from reaching Americas
shores. but he can do little to remove
distrust unless he Is willing to give
evidence of non-partisanship and
. letting Of bygones be bygones in
the political world-at least till the
international crisis is over.
The handling of the Willkie state