Evening star., 1947-09-19
Candidacy Discounted
ByMartin Preparing
For Speaking Tour
By J. A. O'LeoY

Speaker Martin Is completing
plans here today for his Western
speaking tour, after telling a press
conference he does not expect to be
a candidate for the Republican
presidential nomination.
The genial New Englander did
not, however, claim exemption from
q political draft call. He said the
purpose Of his trip is to talk about
the 8Oth Congress" in which the
Republicans hold control for the
first time in IS years.
II am not candidate, and do
not expect to be-" the Speaker said.
1--WE got a pretty good job now
A newsman promptly followed up
with the inevitable query, would
you run II nominated"
That's quite a question:" the
Speaker replied, with a trace of
smile. Il doubt if any man in
public life, or politics, would say
mo- if his party thought he should
serve. But I don't think that will
happen"
To Cross Taft's Trail.
The path he will follow starting
Monday, however, will cover much of
the territory now being traversed
by Senator Taft, Republican, of
Ohio. Some dust already had been
stirred up in the same region by
Gov. Dewey of New York and
former Gov. Stassen of Minnesota.
Mr.. Stassen is the only one of
the group who is an avowed aspirant
for the Republican nomination.
The Speaker was asked what he
thought of Gen. Eisenhower, whose
friends are boosting him, despite
the fact the general also has dis
claimed any presidential ambition.
Gen. Eisenhower is very good
man." was the Speakers reply.
Asked if he knows whether the
Army Chief of Staff is Republican,
Mr.. Martin said he does not know,
pointing out that career men in the
Army do not have occasion to iden-
tify themselves politically.
No Special Session Information
Speaker Martin said no informa-
ton has been presented to him by
the administration indicating the
need for a special session
He said he has information from
a source he would not reveal, but
which he considered reliable, that
crops being harvested in foreign
countries would stave off hunger for
the rest Of this year. So far as hum
ger Is concerned, therefore, he sees
no immediate need for special
session. he said.
1t has been his understanding that
Europe may need further help after
January to meet its food needs, he
said, and if there is any other situ-,
alton requiring an earlier session,
he has not been so advised. The
Speaker added that he has never
been honored with details of the
Marshall Plan (for long-range help
to Europe), or the time schedule for
its adoption"
The American people want to aid
Europe" he continued, but they
want the facts, and they want to
know that the aid will be adminis-
tered by the proper people"
Would you be open to a special
session for stop-gap aid until a
long range program is worked out?"
a reporter asked.
"If they could prove it necessary :"
the Speaker declared. y
Would Press Tax Reduction,
Mr.. Martin pointed out that, If
Congress should be called back be-
fore January, the special session
could not be confined to foreign
problems. Individual income tax re-
duction will be high on the agenda,
whenever Congress reconvenes, he
said.
I'VE have started the battle for
tax reduction and think it is essen
tial for the economy of the coull-
try" he added.
President Truman vetoed two at
tempts by the Republican leader
ship to pass tax-cutting bill at
the last session.
Quizzed about rising prices, Mr..
Martin said Congressional commit
tees are in the midst of study of
that problem, and he does not know
at this time what Congress might
do about that issue
When he leaves here Monday, the
Speaker will visit Chicago, Milwau-
kee, Denver. Topeka, Kans.; San
Francisco, Los Angeles and Fresno,
Calf, and Salt Lake City. Later,
he will stop for a vacation in the
South Dakota Black Hills before
returning to the East.