Evening star., 1944-03-23
1850 Hear WiIIkie
AssaiI Gerald Smith
And Col. Mccormick
Bv GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff Correspondent.

his defamers in his own political
party.
1t was the largest meeting of his
trip, so far About 4,500 persons
gathered in the armory to hear Mr.
Wlllkie plead for the election of his
delegates in the April primary as a
notice to Republicans all over the
country that the people of Wiscon-
sin are not isolationists, not imbueo
with the ideas of Col Robert McCor-
mick and Gerald L. X. Smith. head
of the America First party.
Mr.. Willkle, thoroughly aroused
over a charge by Mr.. Smith that he
had been approached by a Willkie
representative, offering money if he
would work secretly for Mr.. Willkie' s
nomination, issued a statement in
which he said: Smiths state
ment is a falsehood No au-
thoriZed agent of mine ever ap-
preached him. In Detroit last June,
when his crowd picketed the hotel
at which I stopped, I thanked him
for his opposition, and expressed the
@AOPS AiC "ouiu ColitillAC ~.
Asks Great War Effort.
Mr.. Willkie said he wanted to
bring the Republican party back to
the days when it was dedicated to
freedom, organized by men who
would not compromise their prin-
ciples.
There were the Col. McCormicks
who wanted to compromise in those
days" said Mr.. Willkie. Il want
the Republican party to win in 1914
by being for a greater war effort,
for greater cooperation with other
nations, for greater sacrifices-not
by a process of negation."
'If I am defeated in this contest
In Wisconsin, every Col. McCor-
mick, every Gerald Smith will take
courage. If the delegates pledged
to me are elected, in so-called iso-
lationist Wisconsin-though I do
not believe it is isolationist-it will
be an indication that you citizens
have risen up, and Republicans all
over the country will take courage.
I'VE do not want the leadership
which said No aid to Britain, no
Selective Service Act, no Lease
Lend Act"
Assails Administration.
Mr.. Willkie said that even as
Stunning the Republicans could win
with such leadership, How sickening
that would be; how terrible for
mankind and our country If the
Republican party takes the mega
tive road, it might be worse if we
won"
Mr.. Willkie told his audience:
Il have a religious dedication for
a change of administration in
Washington" He said the Roose-
welt administration had been too
long in power. that it has become
'tired and cynical" and has disre-
earded the interests of the people,
treating them disrespectfully and
never telling them the details of the
war they are fighting or of the plans
for the peace they will make
They are treated like children
Mr.. Willkie insisted. mo democ-
racy can continue to function with
out taking the people into the con-
fidence of their government"
He said that the present admins
tration was not equipped or quail
fed by administrative ability and
economic wisdom to meet the post
war period.
Hits Deficit Spending.
"Never has it in peace been able
TO solve the problem of unemploy-
ment. except by deficit spending"
he said. This administration has
developed in the American people a
theory that there is only one man
who can do all things"
Mr.. Willkie said the Republican
party must dedicate itself to VIM
ming the war as quickly as possible,
with all the resources of the coun-
try. 1t must take the position that
It will go along with other nations
for the maintenance of peace and
advancement.
Mrs. Harry L. Thomas, Repub-
lican national committeeWoman,
was present at the meeting and sat
with Mrs. Willkie on the stage. The
county organization,
headed by George r. Currie, did not,
however, take the lead in the
Willkie meeting.
Mr.. Currie was a Dewey delegate
but withdrew from the race when
the New York Governor sent word
he was not candidate for the
nomination. Mr.. Cur
rie was in the armory for the
Willkie speech, but not on the plat
form with Mr.. Willkie, who was in
troduced by Mayor William M.
Mr.. Currie said he did
not believe that the county organi-
zation, which is financed by anti
Willkie as well as Willkie Repub-
licans, should sponsor the meeting.
Mr.. Willkie was accorded a warm
reception, nevertheless.
Outlines Postwar Program.
Earlier in the day, speaking at
Manitowoc, Mr.. Willkie declared he
disagreed with those who believe
that after the war there should be a
def1ation of wages"
He outlined an eight-point pro-
gram for postwar America as fol-
lows:
/. Jobs for mustered out soldiers
and displaced war workers, at the
same time continuing social ad-
vances with a rising standard of
living.
2. Protection of farmers against
downward price spirals.
8. Reduction in the tax program
to encourage initiative, incentive,
the chance to get ahead
4. An atmosphere in Government
not hostile to business.
5. Healthy competition in busi-
hess. with enforcement of antitrust
laws to discourage monopoly.
g. A world at peace. stabilized
through Joint cooperation of the
nations, in which trade and COM
merce can flourish.
7. Prompt liquidation OF war con-
tracts.
s. A competent" national admin
lstration constantly working for eff
cheney and economy in Govern