Evening star., 1947-10-11
|WiII Enter Eisenhower
lin State Primaries,
Club Leader Says
by the Associotsd Press

NEW YORK, Oct. 11.-Gen
Dwight D. Eisenhower's name-with
or without his approval-win be en-
tered in Republican Presidential pri-
maries in a number of states, in
cluding Wisconsin and possibly New
York, an official of the Draft Eisen-
hover for President League" said
yesterday.
Asserting that hundreds and
thousands of Americans write us
that they want to help" Maurice
Mumford of Mclean, Va, league ex-
ecutive vice president. said that al
though the Army Chief of Staff has
not sanctioned formation of the
league or its aims, I'VE hope that he
will announce his candidacy about
January l." Gen. Eisenhower be-
comes president of Columbia Uni
fversity then.
"We- are hoping to get enough
sentiment for Gen. Eisenhower In
each state so that he will be the
second choice of Republican conven-
ton delegates after they have voted
for favorite son candidates." Mr.
Mumford, head Of an export and
import firm in washington, said.
Hopes to Repeat 'Willkie Stunt"
He made the statement at news
conference which followed presenta-
ton of league charter to Gen
Eisenhower supporters here.
"We are hoping to pull another
Willkie stunt" Mr.. Mumford de-
clared, referring to the nomination
of the late Wendell Willkie. at the
1910 Philadelphia convention after
Gov. Thomas E. Dewey had led on
early ballots.
Although Mr.. Mumford first told
the news conference that the league
would enter Gen. Eisenhower's name
In the New York primary, league
officers later amended 1t to pos
sibly."
Delegates Chosen at Primary.
| New York's convention delegates
are chosen at party primary held
only in presidential years. Candi-
dates are chosen in each congress
sional district and get on the ballot
by petition. The names of actual
presidential candidates do not ap-
pear.
Since delegates are uninstructed
the>league might designate by petit
tition a list of delegates pledged to
Gen. Eisenhower. Unless a split oc-
CURED in district party organiza-
tion, however, only one slate of dele
gates and alternates would be placed
before party voters.
The league claims more than 5000
members in branches in II States
Mr.. Mumford said efforts will be
made to get support for Gen. Iisen-
hover from both major parties.
Mr.. Mumford said he had received
a letter from ALI M. Landon, 1886
Republican presidential candidate
in reply to an invitation to join the
league, in which Mr.. Mumford quot
ed Mr.. Landon as saying he had
been requested not to come out in
the open" for Gen. Eisenhower. Mr.
Mumford added that the request
might have been made by Gen
Eisenhower, himself, or by Roy
Roberts, president of the Kansas
City Star.
Landon Denies Request.
At his home in Topeka, Kans.
Mr.. Landon denied that he hae
been asked not to come out fol
Gen. Eisenhower. The former Kan
sas Governor said that he merely
i had declined the invitation to joi1
the league and that, at Gen. Eisen.
hower's request, no such clubs art
being organized in Kansas. 81
Mr.. Roberts said he did not know
Mr.. Mumford or Winston H. Thorn
burg, president of the New Yorl
branch of the league.
Mr.. Mumford also said that Gen
Eisenhower's candidacy has the sup
port Of Senator Capper, Republican
of Kansas. Senator Capper re-
piled that he had told the leagu,
he is strong for Eisenhower fol
President" but cannot accept mem
bership because of the general
cublicfy EXPRESSED wishes.