Evening star., 1942-02-24
Democratic Speakers
AT Washington Dinner
Stress War Victory
Campaign for Funds
Towurd Porty's Debt
Believed Successful
BY GOULD LINCOLN.


of the Government, attending a
Washington Day dinner at the May
flower Hotel last night.
THE destiny of humanity rests
upon our efforts now" he said. I'VE
must win the struggle or we will be
pushed back to the very cave of an
other dark age"
Mr.. Rayburn shared the honors at
the speakers table with Vice Presi-
dent Wallace, Sergt. Alvin C. York,
hero of the last World War, and
Edward j. Flynn, chairman of the
Democratic National Committee,
who presided. Mrs. Roosevelt oc-
cupied a seat of honor at the head
table, as did the Democratic mem-
bers Of the cabinet, except Secretary
Of State Hull, who was absent from
the city.
Mr.. Wallace joined the Speaker in
predicting ultimate victory for the
United States and its Allies over the
Axis powers.
Believed Financial Success.
The dinner here was one of go
Democratic dinners throughout the
country-and in company with rest,
its guests heard President Roose-
velt's talk on the war to the Nation
and to the world. These dinners
were arranged by the national COM
mittee to raise money to pay off
the 100000 deficit coming over from
the campaign of 1910. The guests
here contributed $100 per plate. In
the other cities lesser amounts were
the contributions" solicited from
those who attended the dinners. 1t
Is believed the campaign for funds
has been successful.
Sergt. York, a big bulk Of a man,
fuddy Of face, with thick hair hav-
ing at least ting of red in it,
bespectacled. and with a decided
Southern accent-he comes from the
mountains of Tennessee-was in
troduced by Mr.. Flynn as the out
standing hero of the last war. He
was acclaimed by the audience.
Sergt York declared that once this
country's armed forces get going mo
nation or group of nations can stand
up under the pressure we will give
them" He said that 1t was time
America cleaned house, referring to
alien enemies within its borders and
sympathizers with the Axis powers,
particularly Japan Blood is
thicker than water" he said. THE
time has come to do something with
this menace" He urged that I'VE 60
and get Gen. Macarthur and bring
him out of there'-the Philippine
Islands. Sergt. York declared that
the country today has courageous
man for leader"-President Roose-
velt-and it was lucky to have him.
Stimson and Knox Absent.
Mr.. Flynn read a letter from Sec
retary of War Stimson, Repub-
lican, saying that he regretted he
would not be able to attend the
dinner and speaking in praiss-of the
President. His Republican coHeague
in the cabinet, Secretary of the Navy
Knox, like Stimson, was not present
at the dinner.
Mr.. Raybuf4l nealled upon Ameri-
cans to support President Roose-
velt's leadership in the war. They
should not, he said, become "uncon-
scious fifth columnists
This is a time when only the
faithful should be placed on guard"
said the Speaker-a remark that was
interpreted as another appeal to
elect Democrats to Congress in the
coming elections.
This is a time when carping
criticism should cease" he contin-
ued. Where were our loudest,
present-day critics and fault finders
of the war effort, how were they
talking and how were they voting
before Pearl Harbor? Where would
we be today if the leadership of
these men had been followed. In
the press, on the radio, in the forum,
they were asking, Whom do we pre-
pare to fight? Where are our enc
mies?' Where did they stand when
the lease lend was under considera-
ton? Where did they stand when
an authorization was asked for $500
planes?
More Confident Now.
Some of us pleaded without avail
for the fortification OF Guam.
Where is Guam today? Where
were then the present-day purvey-
ors of rumors, the whisperers behind
the hand, the critics of movements
of the Army and Navy? There are
those who today are saying and pub
fishing and making people believe
that there is utter confusion in
Washington"
Vice President Wallace, compar-
ing the crisis in the Nations history
today with that in the days of
George Washington, said: America
can face the future in 1912 with in
finitely more confidence than could
George Washington in 1778. We can
be certain of victory-but provided
only that we exert ourselves to the
utmost"
1--WE must prevent sabotage now"
he added. 1--WE must all do our
share to increase the war effort.
It is better to give up all OF our
income, if need be, than to share
the fate of those poor unfortunates
who are in Hitler's clutches in Eu-
rope"
Mr.. Wallace predicted that "be-
fore long we shall catch up with
ships. with planes. with fighting
forces trained to blast the enemy
from the lands he has overrun.
Until then we have dark days. May
we bear them with the fortitude OF
Washington at Valley Forge. Our
anger must burn fiercely until the
lob is done and the 26 United Ma
tions by their mighty deeds have
purchased for all mankind a just
and lasting peace"
Chairman Flynn painted the dark
DAYS of Washington at Valley Forge
and said that to-day we have an
other great leader in the White
House who is giving his life so that
we may have victory"
Cummings Honorary Chairman.
The committee in charge OF the
Washington dinner had as its hon
drary chairman former Attorney