The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-07-06
EISENHOWER PUTS "5T0p"
 T0(ANDIDA(Y
Won't identify Himself with Any Political Party
 Issues Statement
lBy The Associated Pressl

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower flash ed stop" sign today at the Ike For President bandwagon, but many of his Democratic supporters ignored the signal
 The General called for the brakes in a statement which said
 T will net at this time identify myself with any political party and could not accept nomination fer any public office or participate ln partisan political contest"
 Now President of Columbia Uni versity, the former Army Chief Of Staff made his views known last night through the Universitys pub lie relations director in a memor- andum released to the press.
 President Truman, enroute back to Washington from a speaking trip to Missouri, was reported cheered By Eisenhower's action. His only direct comments, when awakened and told of the news in St. Louis, was that General Eisen- hover lis an honorable man.
 But MT Truman's aides inter- preted the statement as a death blow to the movement to sidetrack the President at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.
 aNof AyaiIa h3e'
 Eisenhower said he was pro foundly touched by the renewed suggestion that I could satisfactor- fly Ill high public office But. he said, he had not changed his mind since telling Republicans last January that he was mot avail able"
 That had stopped the Republi- cans. But some of the Generals chief Democratic boosters held on grimly today.
 James Roosevelt, chairman of the California State Democratic Cen. tral Committee, was one of them The son of the late President. who had joined with IT others to issue call for a pre- convention anti Truman huddle, said in Los An geles:
 General Eisenhow statement clearly indicates that he will not serve as a partisan President, but will answer call to national duty. I am tonight, therefore, re-issuing the call for the caucus to be held in Philadelphia this coming Satur- day night"
 The Eisenhower flor President headquarters in Philadelphia an- nounced that 1t was remaining open for business.
 In New Jersey, where 36 con- yention votes were pledged this week to the former Commander of Allied fcrces in Europe, Archibald s. Alexander, Democratic candidate for Senator, commented that he felt the Dralt-Ike movements might |. not necessarily be finally closed.
 A similar view was expressed by Hugh B. Mitchell. former Senator from Washington, who earlier yes- terday had wired President Truman urging him to lead the Draft-Ess- enhower movement. What I said in that telegram still stands Nit chell said in Seattle.
 On the ether hand, some Eisen- hower strength began drifting away
 Gecrgia's Democratic chairman, James S Peters, said that states 28 convention votes, previously in- structed for Eisenhower, now will go to Senator Richard B. Russell as a favorite son.
 Leon Henderson, Chairman of Americans for Democratic Action, which had supported the General. indicated that he considered the Columbia statement a flat refusal.
 CALLS FOR PARTY UNITY
 WASHINGTON, July 6.-4R- Democratic Chairman J. Howard McGrath appealed today for "all loyal Democrats to contribute to the unity of the party
 Commenting on Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhowers latest statement, Mo Grath said in statement that President Truman will be nominat-