Evening star., 1944-09-28
Taboo Seen Needed
On Campaign Gossip
Candidates Health or Height
Rumors Spiked by Observer

Candidates Health or Heisht
Rumors Spiked by Observer
By Dqvid Laurence
There is one thing which ought to be
taboo in this campaign-but unfortu-
nately isn't. 1t is the gossip about the
physical characteristics of the two nomi-
nees for the presidency.
Democrats here and there are refer
ring in derogatory fashion to Gov.
Deweys height, while Republicans are
spreading ill-founded stories about
President Roosevelts health.
A national political campaign Is sup
posed to be presentation of the ideas
and principles Of parties and candidates
and most Americans are not at all in
terested in petty gossip. But for the
few who do indulge in such alterations.
1T might be pointed out that Gov. Dewey
Is more than feet inches tall, which
is almost the same as the average of
the men in the United States Army. He
is about three inches taller than Stain
and almost two inches taller than
Churchill
Mr.. Roosevelt is physically in good
enough condition to run for another
term. He is, of course, not as young as
ne was four years ago, but 50 is by no
means an advanced age, considering the
ages OF most of our Presidents. Mr..
Roosevelt was ill last spring-in fact,
ne picked up some kind of germ at the
Teheran conference which gave him an
illness that resembled the flu" He did
not snap back from this illness as quick
ly as he did in other years, but there
are many people in America this year
who have had the same experience.
Well Able to Garry On.
The President is seen regularly by
100 or more newspaper correspondents,
who have chance to see him at close
range and, while he has lost q little
weight, there is not the slightest founda-
ton for stories that have been going
the rounds giving the impression that
Mr. Roosevelt is sick or that he would
not be physically able to carry on If he
were elected.
II Mr.. Roosevelt wer' not President.
little attention would be paid to his
slight loss of weight which is reflected
IN his facial appea .ance But in the
case of Presidents # the United States,
every detail abou' their health seems
to get wide publi ity.
The essential fact is that Mr.. Roose-
welt is well able o carry on his Office, to
make the camp ign and to serve In the
event that he $ ould be reelected.
AS for the D nocrats who are grow
ing sarcastic abb ut Gov Dewey's height
1t should be reriarked that the Repub-
hcans for the asst II years have re-
trained from c,pitali1ng in any way
Mr.. Roosevelt's physical disability aris-
ing out OF infantile paralysis, with which
ne was afflicted ST. -tly after his 1920
campaign for the vic presidency.
The press, too, whicl. is largely Re-
publican has refrained m printing
any photograph revealing tn residents 3
inability to walk or any of II. artificial
arrangements that are occasion 'ly built
for him in public places when / makes
speeches. The Republicans on tn whole
nave been deferential In this resp> t and
point good lesson to the Dem, Fats.
who might we'll silence all conf nts
IN their ranks about Gov. De US
height.
AS matter OF fact, persons shoa In
stature are often resentful when I ir
helght is commented on and Democf, IS
might better watch out or all person
who are feet 8 inches or less NAV be
found expressing their resentment at
the polls, because physical height has
nothing to do with the eligibility of
any one TO be President of the United
States. Mr.. Roosevelt has proved In
the last II years that a physical handi-
cap has even less to do with it.
Views Will Count.
1t Is fair game, Of course, for both
sides to attack the mental stature of
either nominee, though it is doubtful
whether purely personal comments of
any kind that reflect on the ability of .
candidate are ever very persuasive
What will count most in this campaign
are the views of the candidates and,
perhaps even more than ever. the kind
OF groups that stand behind the two
nominees.
In the case of Mr.. Dewey. the public
Will be interested in knowing to what
extent the 'isolationist" and conserva-
tive groups will influence him if he is
elected. In the case of Mr.. Roosevelt.
the public will be interested in knowing
TO what extent the "left-wingers" and
radicals will be in the saddle If Mr..
Roosevelt is continued in Office for an.
other four years.
Both political parties have their dis
cordant elements The Republicans
have their "isolationists" and their con-
servatives. and Mr.. Roosevelt has his
Southern Democrats in Congress. True
liberals can hardly point the finger of
blame on either party as such, but must
rely solely on the liberalism of the nom.
inee who may be elected.
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