Evening star., 1943-04-12
This Is No Time for Politics.
Walker Says on Fourth Term
Democratic Chief Silent on Candidacy
In Comment on COPS Short Campaign Offer

dSl CCIACllU Will VIC 1tCpuO1lCdIl
party to that end.
Although your suggestion has not
reached me except through the press,
I desire to state that the Republican
party IS anxious to avoid. and will
strongly oppose, anything which
would detract from national unity
in our war efforts. For myself. and
for the members of my committee
with whom 1 have discussed your
proposal, we are willing to accept
your plan for short campaign
under conditions which we feel will
remove the factor which is today
causing the most concern and anX-
iety among the people who want
victory ahead of all else.
Il speak of the apparent ambition
and purpose of the leader of your
party, Mr.. Roosevelt, through the
great powers of his Office, now ex-
tended by the war, to seek for him
self fourth term in Office.
when Washington was rendered
a third term the suggestion was re-
ceived with scorn, and he clearly
pointed out that to accept would be
a step backward toward monarchy
and absolute government. Thomas
Jefferson also met the suggestion
Of third term with stern rebuke
Perpetuation Easier Now.
These great patriots knew that
If q President had been in Office
for long time he might perpetuate
himself. This is much easier now
because the President has the sup
port of millions of payrollers rather
than the few thousand before bu-
reaucracy had so eaten into our
system.
During the months before your
last convention in 1910 your party
and the country were kept in ig-
norance of Mr.. Roosevelt's ambi-
tions while officeholders and hench-
men secretly corralled delegates who
In Chicago acted as mob under the
New Deal lash. These controlled
party representatives even went so
far as to greet the name of Thomas
Jefferson with cat-calls and derision.
The events of the last few weeks
indicate that the same technique
Is being used now as was used four
years ago. Then Mr. Roosevelt, as
you do now, suggested short cam
paign. Then, as now. not only the
country, but your party, was kept in
the dark as to his ambitions for a
third term. Then, as now, the sug-
gestion at press conferences of a
third term was met with smiles and
evasion.
THE country believes that Mr..
Roosevelt, and your committee, are
now conducting a campaign for the
fourth term. 1t is led to this belief
by recent political conferences held
at the White House with party lead
ers and further by the statements of
Senator Guffey Democrat, of Penn
sylvania; Gov. Matthew M. Nicely of
West Virginia and Representative
SABBATH, Democrat, Of Illinois: the
activities of your Mr.. David Niles,
special assistant to Mr.. Roosevelt,
and much other evidence.
Millions Oppose Dynasty.
Unless this belief is dispelled we
are confronted with the most inten-
sive campaign over a long period
that this country has ever witnessed.
Many millions of our people, not
only IN my party but many hereto
fore OF yours, are determined that
we shall not establish a dynasty in
this country by exalting President
to fourth term. The campaign
might easily arouse bitterness among
them. 1t has begun. Already the war
effort Is suffering because so many
In Government positions are putting
SO much time and thought into pro-
noting this fourth term campaign.
The people are speculating upon
how much Of the candidates time
will be given to winning the war and