The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-11
Observations
Eric Johnston May
be Running Mate
10 G. O.P. Choice
BY Helen Esssry

Political observers in Washing
ton see a possibility that young
Eric Johnston, twotime president
of the United states Chamber OF
Commerce may share the Republi-
can ticnct With Gov, Thomas L.
Dewey OF New York next year.
Most circles regard Dewey's
nomination as the COP PRESIDENT
al candidate as extremely likely,
and they point out that Johnston,
whose home state is Washington,
IN the Far West. would be an ideal
uunuinS.mate.
The Republican ticket then would
represent 9th last and the Far
West. with both candidates eX-
trcmely young men with ideas look
Ing far into the future.
One OF the strongest supporters
of Dewey on Capital Hill is Sena-
tor Arthur Capper (R) of Kansas
"a power in Republican circles in
his home stat.
The sentiment IN Kansas and
other parts OF the West tends to-
ward Dewey or General Mac
Arthur Capper said the other day.
Either the governor or the gen-
er5l If he was drafted by the
party. would make a strong race
ard probably beat President Roose'
Welt If he chooses TO run for
fourth term
Both men arc coioriul aud
Norld.minded and could success
fully prosecute the war as well as
chart Americas place in the post
war world
Observers are not overlooking
the possibilities that one of Ohio's
two fayorite sons may emerge as
the partys standard bearer wheu
the chips are down.
There is cousidera BILE sentiment
for Senator Robert a Taft, while
Gov John Bricke7, of the Buck
eye state. has strong backing.
LOOK FOR \ RENEWAL OF
American aerial activity in the
North Pacific especially now that
loug.range bombers are coming of
the assembly lines in numbers ade-
auate to Gil the needs for a global
war
Some Army and Navy leaders
still cling TO the idea that the Aleu-
tiaus despite bad weather pro-
vide the real shortcut to Tokyo
both By air and by sea
once the new super-bombers,
known as the B-?9, get into produc-
ton they may be able TO take OF
from Attu. hit Tokyo and return
or fly on to bases in China.
Paramushiro and other Jap
bases in Kuriles also should get
more than just a taste OF bombing.
as they have so far. In American
hands the Kuriles would provide
the bases that would bring indus
trial Japan within as easy bombing
range as Germany is from Eng
land
EVEN AMONG THE OLD LINE
naval officers the pendulum is
swinging toward the aircraft car
rier as one OF the most important.
il not the most important, vessel IN
the United States fleet.
For a while after the four Ameri-
can carriers were sunk in the Paci-
&c il appeared that fat tops were
too vulnerable to be useful except
in battles far at sea.
However. the new carriers ot
the Essex class have proved their
worth in recent actions around
Bougainyille and in the Gilberts.
where they blasted land bases and
fought off repeated attacks by
land-based, bombers.
Battleships arr still useful be
cause OF the heavy pounding they
can dish out, but in task force
operations in the Pacific these
now merely are play
ing supporting roles to aircraft car
riers.
Moreover, American nav al offlc.
ers have been quick TO learn the
best methods OF using carriers
in action. or course, it is more
than right that the nation that
developed the carrier should have
the most powerful and best operat
cd fleet OF fiat tops in the world.