Evening star., 1942-02-03
Flynn Sees Calamity
# Congress Hostile Il
President Is Elected
Would Defer Election
Issues, Says Chairman
In Rudio Forum ToIk

Political parties have the duty Of
directing fair criticism during war
time-but the criticism leveled at
the administration recently by the
Republican party has not been fair,
said Chairman Edward j. Flynn Of
the Democratic National Committee
In speech delivered last night over
the National Radio Forum, spon-
sored by The Star.
The text of Mr.. Flynn's speech,
which was broadcast over the Blue
Network and was heard locally over
Station WMAL, follows:
Websters unabridged dictionary
defines criticism as "the act of
criticizing, especially unfavorably;
censure; also a critical observation,
judgment or review" I am using
the definition as is outlined in
Webster's dictionary so that we
might have a full understanding OF
the substance of what criticism
really is. The words "a critical OBJ
servation, judgment or review" IN
my opinion, sum up the ordinarily
accepted idea of what the word
criticism means. Observation or
Judgment taken alone means moth
ing. The way to determine the
truth of criticism or judgment is
to find the motive which lies behind
1t, so tonight I would like my
hearers to keep in mind primarily
the motives of the men who are
criticizing and judging at this parti-
cular time. Fair criticism-falr
judgment-is always welcome. Un-
fair criticism-unfair Judgments
IN itself abhorrent to the American
people.
Review Of the Record.
In order to arrive at the motive
Of the chairman of the Republican
National Committee in his address
over this station q few weeks ago,
It is Just and proper that we review
tl1e record of the majority OF Repub-
Ncan members Of Congress prior to
that fateful day in December when
the whole world was shocked
beyond words at the disastrous at
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It is wise and appropriate that we
consider the various measures sug-
eested by the President of the
United States-measures designed
to safeguard the American interest
not only in the Atlantic or the
Pacific, but in the entire world.
will not attempt to cite all OF these
measures, but it is fair and proper
that I mention few in order to
appraise the motives that lie behind
the far from subtle attack that
now is being made by the Repub-
Ncan party upon President Roose-
yelt and the present administra-
ton.
The lease-lend program was
fought bitterly by the Republican
party. Mr.. Martin. as a member
OF Congress, If my memory serves
me correctly, fought against this
measure. When, some time ago,
request by the President of the
United States was made to fortify
the island of Guam, one OF our out
lying frontiers, Mr.. Fish of the
famous firm of Martin Barton and
Fish denounced the administration
as warmongers attempting to start
q conflict where there was no reason
for thinking there would be war
Mr.. Martin by his vote concurred
In the views Of Mr.. Fish. Further,
Mr.. Martin voted against the ex-
tension of selective service and time
has proven that this measure was a
keystone of our military mobiliza-
ton program.
If the present administration un-
der the leadership of President
Roosevelt had followed the lead OF
the ma jority of the Republican men,
bers of Congress, the present stu
4 alton would be so deplorable that
there would not be words in the
English language to describe it.
Such is the record, and political
maneuvering is still the motive be-
hind the criticisms which are now
being levied and will continue to be
levied by Republican spokesmen
until the elections of 1912.
A Coalition Government.
I am bespeaking no perfection
for the present administrations con-
duct of defense preparations Of this
country in a war emergency. I do
ask. however, for fair judgment in
sofar as those preparations are con-
cerned and for public recognition
that patri0tic-not politlcal-con-
siderations have been the conScien-
tious concern of President Roose-
velt Public memory is sometimes
xhort-lived, and so remind you
that the President, before the out
break of war, appointed as Secre-
tary of War one of the most prom
inent Republicans in the United
States, a former member of the
cabinet Of President Hoover, whom
no doubt some of you will remem-
ber. He appointed to the portfolio
of the Navy, Frank Knox, candi-
date for the vice presidency on the
Republican ticket not SO many years
ago. The politics of Knudsen do
not know, but feel very safe in
.fot;po fbof ha uaS not a Democrat