The Wilmington morning star., 1944-07-18
HIS SELECTION
HENRY WALLACE
Roosevelt Would Prefer
Friend, But Leaves
Matter Open

CHICAGO, July 17.-(P
President Roosevelt let it
be known tonight he would
vote for denomination of Hen
ry A. Wallace as vice-presi-
dent-if he were a delegate
to the Democratic convention
but he left it up to the con-
vention itself to make a
choice.
In letter made public by Sen.
Samuel Jackson of Indiana, per-
manent convention chairman, Mr..
Roosevelt said he did not wish to
appear to be debating to the party
conclave.
Wallace supporters at once hail
ed the declaration of presidential
views as 'insuring denomination fer
him. But in opposition camps the
emphasis was on Mr.. Roosevelt's
assertion that obviously the con-
vention must do the deciding
Sen. Burnet R. Maybank of South
Carolina, booster for War Mobili-
cation Director James F. Byrnes,
said the letter '1eaves the con-
vention open" But a Wallace back
err predicted the vice presidents
denomination on the second ballot.
There was no immediate com.
ment from lieutenants of Senate
Majority Leader Alben w. Barley,
who say they will place his name
in nomination for the vice presi.
dency. Barley is to nominate Mr.
Roosevelt for a fourth term Thurs.
day.
Other reaction to the Presidents
statement ranged from an asser-
ton by Rep. Thomas D'Alesandro,
Jr., of Maryland that wallace is
out" to a remark by Sen. Harry
Truman of Missouri, who has been
mentioned for the vice presidency,
that you naturally expect the
President to stand by his friends"
The long-awaited letter was ex-
pected to bring into clearer focus
the scrap that has been raging
around the vice presidential pick.
ing-the one big issue of the con.
vention.
Dated July IA at Hyde Park,
N. Y, the letter said:
THE White House
- ashington
MY Dear Senator jackson:
I'm the light of the probability
that you will be chosen as perma.
nent chairman of the convention,
and because I know that many
rumors accompany all conventions
I am wholly willing to give you
my own personal thought in re-
gard to the selection of candi-
date for vice president. I do this
at this time because l expect to
be away from Washington for the
next few days.
''The easiest way Of putting it is
this: l have been associated with
Henry Wallace during his past four
years as vice president, for eight
years earlier while he was secre-
tary of agriculture, and we'll be-
fore that. I like him and I respect
him, and he is my personal friend.
For these reasons, I personally
would vote for his denomination if
were a delegate to the conven-
ton.
'tAt the same time, l do not
wish to appear in any way as
debating to the convention. Obvi-
ously the convention must do the
And it should-and / am
sure it Will-give great considera.
ton to the pros and cons of it.;
choice.
very sincerely yours,
"(S) Franklin D. Roosevelt
New stop-Wallace activity was
Immediately among the
followers of both War Mobilization
Byrnes and Senate Barley, class
ed by Wallace hackers as the two
men bearing closest watching.
As soon as the presidential letter
came out. Jake More, Iowa state
Democratic chairman and lead
er of the delegation from Wallace's
home state, predicted:
Nomination on the second bal.
lot"
''In my judgment, he said, 'the
etter is strong enough to swing
the delegations that are strongly
the President over to
Wallace"
A first ballot nomination is I'm.
likely, he said, because there may
De many votes for favorite sons.
Sen. Joseph Guffey Of Pennsyl-
7ania, one of the leading Wallace
advocates said he was encouraged
~ the letter adding:
We're perfectly satisfied with
t. 1t is very favorable and should
make the denomination of the vice
president certainty"
But the real effects of the letter
m convention sentiment will be.
,orne felt in conferences in hotel
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