Evening star., 1952-10-14
Forum Leaders
Reject Donohue
For Luce Debate
Gu Event Cancelled
Over Issue of His
National Prominence

District Commissioner F. Joseph
lDonohue was still smarting today
latter being snubbed as a suitable
debate opponent for Clare Booth
Luce by Catholic University
Istudents.
The forum, scheduled for Oc.
Itober 21. was called off last night
because student leaders felt Mr.
lDonohue is not a nationally
prominent" enough Democrat tt
balance the program with Mrs
Luce.
Il don't see why they think she
lis so prominent" Mr.. Donohue
remarked. Il can't think of any
thing deader than a former Con-
Igresswoman."
According to Thomas P. Melady
jr., president of the graduate
students council, which was spon-
soring the forum, speakers bu-
reaus Of both parties were con-
|tacted on october 2 and asked to
provide nationally prominent fig
ures for the debate.
The Republican bureau named
four well-known party representa-
tives. from which the students
chose Mrs. Luce, former Repre-
sentative from Connecticut.
Donohue Finally Named.
Mr.. Melady said he called the
Democratic Speakers Bureau
twice day. every day but was
told to call again the next day."
He said that, last Friday, he
received word that Mr.. Donohue
would be available.
George Parker, campus student
Democratic representative. called
John Wright of the Speakers Bu-
reau the same day and said the
Commissioner would not be suit
able. since he was not nationally
known"
Mr.. Parker explained that most
Of the students are from out of
town and Mr.. Donohue is not
known to them.
Mr.. Donohue was not informed
of the switch until late yesterday
He said he had accepted the
invitation because he felt "some-
one should set the lady straight" "
He said he believed he was Sc
lected because it was believed she
would discuss the administration s
relations to communism.
Melady Issues Statement.
In a statement issued last night
Mr.. Melady said:
I'VE have found it necessary to
cancel the election forum which
has been scheduled for Catholic
University on Tuesday, October 81
at $50 pm.
THE Republican National Com
mittee had nominated Clare Booth
Luce to give the Republican point
of view. The Democratic National
Committee has failed to offer us
a nationally prominent Democrat
to represent them at the forum. "
He said that after the students
bad turned down Mr.. Donohue, the
Speakers bureau promised them
the name Of a prominent Demo-
crat yesterday. After two telephone
calls yesterday the bureau came
up with q name of a woman
speaker who was completely un-
known" Mr.. Melady said.
Because of the inability of the
national committee to supply a
national figure to meet Mrs. Luce,
we decided to cancel the affair,
his statement said.
No Reflection on Donohue.
Mr.. Parker told a reporter the
refusal to have him was mo re-
Election on MIR. Donohue.''
"The Republicans had planned
a big campaign" he explained
"and We couldn't rally the Demo-
cratic students behind our speak
er if he wasn't prominent"
Mr.. Melady said the students
had not intended to bring the mat
ter before the public until they
were informed late yesterday that
MIR. Donohue. through q misun-
derstanding, had gotten the i'm
preston that Mrs. Luce had can
celed the engagement
II am the Democratic represen-
tative. and I know that Mrs. Luce
was not even aware Of who hel
opponent was to be-" he vowed.
Mr.. Donohue got his bachelo,
of arts degree at Catholic Uni
verSity in 1922, and his law degree
three years later. From 1922 tt
1880 he was an instructor there
in economics and banking.
Emmet Dougherty, university
publicity director, said the forum
was purely student matter" HI
said the university was not in.
volved.
I'VE are sorry Mr.. Donohue.
feelings are hurt" Mr.. MeladJ
said. "It was just a gross ynis.
understanding all the way around.