Evening star., 1944-10-16
Letters to The Star
Insists City Vote Against Dewey
In New York Was LarSer

TO the Editor OF The Star:
Permit me to correct the following
statement in an Associated Press re-
port published in your issue of October
IL under an Albany, N. Y, dateline:
Gov. Dewey, first Republican to win
the governorship in 20 years, lost New
York City by less than 100000 votes
when he ran against former Attorney
General John J. Bennett. jr, two years
ago"
1t is true that Gov. Dewey was de-
feated in New York City by his Demo-
cratic opponent in 1912 by less than
100000 votes. The exact vote was Ben
nett, 822.96l; Dewey, 737652. However.
that does not show the true extent of
the vote cast against Gov. Dewey. The
American Labor party placed its own
candidate, Dean Alfange, in the guber-
material race. He polled 346,567 votes in
New York City. The candidacy of AL
fange was protest against the domina-
ton of the Democratic gubernatorial
convention by James A. Farley. The
American Labor party had previously
indicated its intention to support Sena-
tor James M. Mead in the event of his
nomination by the Democrats. There
is no doubt that the votes cast for
Alfange would have gone to the Demo-
cratic candidate If thes American Labor
party had made him its candidate. If
we add Alfange's vote to that cast for
Bennett in New York City, Bennett would
have received total vote of 1,169,5l8
as against Dewey's 1852, and Gov.
Dewey would have lost the City OF New
York by 431 1866 votes.
From the foregoing 1t would appear
that the Republicans can draw small
comfort from the vote received by
Dewey in New York City in 1912, con-
sidering that the American Labor
party now is solidly behind President
Roosevelt. CLARA ROTH.
What Willkie Might Have Done
To tis Editor OF The Star
Much has been said and will be said
regarding the attitude of Wendell Will
kie had he lived and what candidate
for the presidency he would have sup
ported.
Personally, I am satisfied that had
the opportunity been his, Mr.. Willkie
would have voted for Dewey and Bricker
and would have given his reasons there
for.
In June, 1910, at the Republican Ma
tional Convention in Philadelphia I
met Mr.. Wiilkie, since which time I
have kept in close and personal con-
tact with him. Mr. Willkie knew I
respected, honored and loved him. He
also knew that had hoped some day
he would be President OF the United
States, not for any selfish reason but
because believed him the best qualified
person from every standpoint for that
position. Hence, an open sesame" was
had from him to me to discuss openly
and frankly any question considered
of moment at the time.
On July IL, 1914. wrote him long
and personal letter closing with this:
Personally I am Republican and will
be such as long as the Southern Demo-
Gratis control and dominate the Demo-
cratic party, and, If I wanted to, my
conscience would not let me support
the Democratic party as 1t is now con-
stltuted, but there are thousands and
thousands Of colored persons who think
differently and are now waiting q word
from you to channel their course of
direction. do not irf any wise pretend
to presume upon your privacy or init
mate that you should do anything that
your conscience does not fully approve.
but I do say when your word Is had
(and I personally hope it will be sup
portive of the Republican candidate)
it will be directive of the course that
the majority of the colored people will
follow"
On July 18, 1914, Mr. Willkie, acknowl-
edging my letter, invited me to come
to see him, adding: The whole situa-
ton troubles me much"
On August 16, talked with Mr..
Willkie over the phone. Mr.. Willkie
informed me that he was going out
of town late the next afternoon but
would be glad to see me the day fol-
lowing. My engagements were such
that the meeting was postponed until
his return from Indiana. That meet
ing never took place as he went to the
hospital upon his return to New York.
While Mr.. Willkie did not disclose
his absolute attitude. he put me at
ease until I could travel over the mat
ter in person with him. Prior to and
in the meantime a great many other
persons, especially colored, were in con-
tact with Mr. Willkie in order that he
might give them some inkling of his
attitude which would direct their
course.
On October 7, 1914, Mr. Willkie in
an article published in Golfers en-
titled Citizens of Negro Blood" after
analyzing both the Democratic and
Republican platforms, observed:
while both the Democratic and the
Republican platform writers in one
degree or another shirked the respon-
sibilities of their parties to the colored
citizens of the United States and there
by lost a great opportunity, it would
seem, under existing conditions, that
the Negro should have better chance
for justice under Republican admins
tration than under a Democratic one.
For despite the growing enlightened
leadership in the South, the old-line
white supremacy Southern politician
is still in the saddle and still power
fully affects all Democratic party policy
and legislation; particularly in the case
of the Negro, whom he regards as a
special Southern problem"
Coupling the above with my personal
knowledge of Mr.. Willkie and his ideas
as often expressed to me, that there are