Evening star., 1943-12-12
fWiIIkie InvifesQuiz
by Senate Group on
1910 Irregularities
BY the Associated Press.

wendell l.. W1llkie said last
night he would be delighted to
undergo unlimited cross-exam-
ination" by a congressional COM
mittee concerning charges that
some of his supporters sought to
buy votes at the 1910 Republi--
can Convention.
Committee members Immediately
indicated willingness for him to ap-
pear.
Mr.. Willkie telegraphed Chairman
Kilgore of a Senate Elections sub
committee offering to appear per-
sonally for questioning in connec-
ton with resolution introduced by
Senator LANCER, Republican, Of
North Dakota, asking an investiga-
ton Of any irregularities" at the
Philadelphia convention.
The LANCER resolution was based
on charges made in a book, lone
Man-Wendell Willkie," by c. Mel
son Sparks, former mayor of Akron,
Ohio, and manager Of the 1910 cam
paign of Frank E. Gannett for the
Republican nomination.
Wilkes Message.
Asserting that the charges were
ridiculous" Mr.. Wiilkie wired Sen
ator Kilgore:
L shall be delighted, at the COM
mittee's convenience, to appear be-
fore 1t and place myself subject to
unlimited cross examination of any
or all of its members on any subject
covered in the books or on any other
subject on which the committee de-
sires to examine me-"
Previously Mr.. Willkie had tele-
phoned Senator Bridges, Republi-
can, Of New Hampshire, a member
Of the subcommittee, expressing his
desire to appear before the group to
answer the Sparks charges. Sena-
tor Bridges told reporter he had
no objection to such a course if the
committee desired to call Mr..
Willkie.
Similarly, Senator Tunnel, Demo-
crat, Of Delaware, another subcom-
mittee member, said he was willing
to listen to anything the 1910 candi-
date had to say "as an accommo-
dation to Mr.. Willkie."
Suspects "Ulterior Motive"
IF it is to accommodate him,
don't know that have any objec-
ton, but am inclined to look upon
the whole proposed investigation
with suspicion" Senator Tunnel
said. Before the committee goes
into it at all, I would want to know
more about it. I want to find out
if there is any ulterior motive be-
hind this thing"
In introducing the resolution De-
cember l, Senator LANCER told the
Senate he believed the book written
by Mr.. Sparks was true" Senator
LANCER also placed in the record a
newspaper article reciting Mr..
Sparks charges about the attempt
ed vote-buying.
Mr.. Sparks also stated. this arti-
Gle said, that Harry Hopkins, Presi-
dent Roosevelt's adviser, was SO
friendly to Mr.. Willkie that he per-
suaded the President to approve
Mr.. Wilkes world tour and OBJ
tanned a bomber to transport the
,Willkie party.
Hearings Possible.
No formal investigation Of the
charges could be made by the COM
mittee until it first approves the
resolution, reports it to the Senate,
gets the approval Of the Audit Com
mittee for necessary financial ex-
penditures and finally gets Senate
approval of the measure.
However. members pointed out
that if the committee chooses, 1t
could hold hearings on the ques-
tor whether there should be an
investigation, thus providing a
forum for any witness who may be
invited to testify.
Meanwhile, in Akron Mr.. Sparks
asserted that mo sensible Repub-
lican wants Mr.. Willkie destroyed
nor even chased out Of the precon-
vention campaign"
Urges Willkie Campaign.
In a telegram to John Cowles,
Minneapolis publisher, Mr.. Sparks
said Mr.. Willkie should campaign
in States holding preferential pres
idential primaries because millions
of Republicans want to fight out
with him and settle once and for all
issues involved in his candidacy
Mr.. Sparks message was in reply