The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-02-04

Congressional Republicans genera ally accepted Hymns radio attack on Republican National Committee Chairman Joseph w. Martin, Jr., as offering them an opportunity to hit hard in the approaching campaign without exposing themselves to the charge of weakening the war effort. Flynn charged Martin with partisan political maneuverings in violation of a war time agreement entered into December 9, two days after Pearl Harbor. He said the Republi- can party was more interested in winning control of the House in this years elections than in winning the war.
 Martin snapped back that the COP. would support the war all out but would not relinquish its right of suggestion and criticism
 Tt is obvious from the address de- nvered by Chairman Flynn" said Martin, that what he wants is to liquidate the Republican party and squelch all criticism"
 ITColOCIlt NAdy ldlk
 If MT. Roosevelt intervenes in the dispute he may select the occasion of his next fireside chat, February g. Democratic fund raising din- ners are blamed for that date. The President may use strategy which was under discussion by responsible congressional Democrats long be- fore the war began. The idea ad- vanced by experienced party mem- bers then was that MT. Roosevelt would find it necessary to make some general political statement fairly early this year and preferably prior to the spring primaries.
 Party lines had been so snarled before Pearl Harbor by disputes over aiding the democracies, that some Democrats were against and some Republicans were for MT. Roosevelts foreign policies. Under those pre- var circumstances, responsible party leaders suggested that he might early this year make some such statement as this regarding con- gresisonal candidates:
 "Those members or candidates for congress who, regardless of party, place their nations interest and de- fense above petty considerations merit the support of the people"
 Would Protect Him
 Such a statement would tend to portect Mr. Roosevelt from charges of partisanship and enable him, If necessary, to show further favors to pre-War supporters of his foreign policies and to indicate further his distrust of some of those who then opposed him, regardless of party. There are 435 seats in the House and 34 in the senate at stake this year. All the notable senate isola- tionists are in office Tor two to four years more but in the house every members must run again this year If he desires to rema:n.
 The political truce which was agreed to in an exchange of tele- grams between Flynn and Martin was somewhat vague from the start Flynn's telegram to Martin said that fin the face of war politics are adjourned" and proposed that the combined agencies Of the two par ties should be made available to MT Roosevelt for denfense efforts. Mar tin replied that Republicans would contribute all out to the country's defense and would mot permit poli- tics to enter into defense"
 In announcing the truce, the Democratic National Committee or December II said the two national political organizations would func- ton jointly and severally as de- fense elements" but would not merge nor abandon their congressional campaign functions. There was nc suggestion from anyone that the elections should be postponed ol abandoned.