Evening star., 1944-02-18
WaI|ace's Assertion
Fourth Term Is Vital
AssaiIed as 'Hooey'
By ]. A. O'LEARY.

Vice President Wallace's state
ment that a change In the Presi-
dency this year would retard the
war effort was labeled "hooey" to-
day by Acting Senate Minority
Leader White.
Just returned from a Western
speaking tour, Mr.. Wallace told q
hastily-called press conference yes
terday that he believes President
Roosevelt will be elected for a fourth
term, and that it would take any
one else who entered the White
House long time to get acquainted
with the personalities and problems
to be dealt with
Senator Taft, Republican, of
Ohio, welcomed the prospect of
Democratic campaign presenting
the President as indispensable, and
said:
Il think the war effort will 70
forward with more efficiency, more
unanimity and more energy If a Re-
publican is elected"
Other developments indicating
the political pot is beginning to boil
VII SdP1Uul t1lll were.
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico wrote to Chairman Robert
e. Hannegan Of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee, suggesting the
task OF drafting the party platform
be started several days before the
opening of the convention on
July 10.
Martin Is Dark Horse"
A poll Of House Republicans
showed House Minority Leader Mar
tin leading a group of possible dark
horse selections for the presidential
nomination If none of the leading
figures is nominated.
Representative Allen, Republican,
Of Illinois said 1872 Republicans in
the House were asked this question:
All reliable polls conclusively
show that Dewey. Macarthur, Will
kie, Bricker and Stassen are the
leading candidates for the RepubN-
can nomination for the presidency.
In the event that any OF these five
Is unable to win the nomination
n,
who, in your judgment. would be
the most able dark horse, the one
around whom all Republicans could
unite and the most certain to win
the election next fall?"
Mr.. Allen said Mr.. Martin led in
the tabulation with 36 votes fol-
lowed by Senator Taft and Gov.
Earl Warren Of California, "a each.
and Senator Burton. Republican, of
Ohio. %, and Senator Vandenberg,
Republican, Of Michigan, 21.
Senator Hatch said he believed
both parties should take "an un-
equivocal stand" on the part this
country should take in world affairs,
adding that an early start on the
building OF his party's platform
would be helpful Senator Hatch
suggested the Platform Committee
should begin its deliberations not ,
later than July II. 1t would be
necessary for each State deleea-
ton to select in advance its repre-
sentative on the Platform Com
mittee.
Wallace Sees Liberal Trend.
Mr.. Wallace told reporters he
wanted to report that everywhere
he went, particularly on the West
Coast, he found a great increase
in liberal sentiment, fine atti-
tude toward the war, and a strong
attitude toward the election of the
President for a fourth term"
The Vice President threw no new
light on the question Of whether
he will be the Presidents running
mate again, assuming Mr.. Roose-
welt runs.
Asked about his own future. Mr..
Wallace said, I'm sitting In the
lap OF the gods" adding that he
would "let the future take care of
that" when pressed as to whether
he would accept denomination.
Looking back to four years ago.
Mr.. Wallace said he did not know
the Presidents attitude on the
question Of the vice presidential
nomination until July II, the day
he uas por,}pofad