Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-01-29
The Political Mill
Macarthur as Keynoter
Could Stampede Party
Taft Forces Seek Best Part
For General at Convention
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

For General at Convention
By Gould Lincoln
The part which Gen. Douglas Mac.
Arthur may play in the Republican Ma
tionai Convention is becoming matter
of increasing interest. The general has
done everything he could to convince
the politicians and the public he is not
candidate for the presidential NOM
ination He has withdrawn his name
from the Illinois presidential prefer
ence. primary after it was put forward
by his admirers in that State. He has
written to his New Hampshire sup
porters to keep him out of the primary
there.
In addition. Gen. Macarthur has
made it abundantly clear to friends who
have talked with him that he believes
the Republican presidential nominal
tim should go to Senator Taft of Ohio.
Indeed, In his letter to his friends in
New Hampshire, Gen. Macarthur pic
tured the ideal candidate and described
Senator Taft.
Has Great Following.
Not only is Gen. Macarthur one Of
the greatest public speakers in the
world today, but he has wide public
following in this country It seems in
credible, therefore, he will not have
place on the program of the Republic
can National Convention in Chicago
next July. The Taft people are cudg-
cling their brains over whether it would
be more advantageous to their candi-
date to have Gen. Macarthur as keynote
speaker and temporary chairman Of the
national convention or to have him
deliver the speech placing Senator Taft
in nomination. IF Gen. Macarthur is
to be keynote speaker, he must be Sc
lecteo by the Committee on Arrange
ments for the Convention Of the Re-
publican National Committee
Usually an agreement is reached on
a keynoter who is satisfactory to the
candidates for the presidential nominal
tion-and if possible keynoter is Sc
lected who is not strong partisan Of
any one of the candidates. However.
the Committee on Arrangements has
plenty of Taft supporters among its
members to make q strong fight for
Gen. Macarthur as keynoter. and per-
maps 10 carry the Gay.
Gen. Macarthur, as keynoter, might
stampede the national convention, with
the delegates turning to him as presi-
dental nominee. Indeed, such pre-
diction has been made in the past by
several party leaders in Congress. Fur
ther, Gen. Macarthur has not issued
statement to the effect he would not
run if nominated, despite the fact he
has said he is not and will not be
candidate.
If Gen. Macarthur is to place Senator
Taft in nomination. that can be ar
ranged very easily with the general by
Mr.. Taft and his managers. No COM
mittee action Of any kind is necessary.
Could BE- Guest Speaker.
Gen. Macarthur could be invited to
address the national convention, as a
guest speaker, without making either
a keynote or nominating speech-as
former President Hoover has addressed
similar national conventions in the
past Such an address, too. might be
a signal for strong demand that Gen.
Macarthur himself head the Republic
can ticket.
Keynoters for the last three Repub-
lican National Conventions have been
Republican Governors Of States. In 1910.
Harold E. Stassen, then Governor Of
Minnesota, delivered the keynote
speech, and in 1914 Gov. Warren Of
California was the speaker. Four years
ago. the then Gov. Green of Illinois
sounded off the Republicans. Mr.. Stas-
sen surprised and annoyed presidential
candidates in 1910 by stepping down
from the temporary Craftsmanship of
the convention and becoming floor
leader for Wendell l.. Willkie. who won
the nomination. It's entirely possible
the Committee on Arrangements will
look over the Republican Governors now
to see if they can't get an acceptable
keyncter There are number Of good
speakers among them, and it might
be possible to find Governor not COM
mitted to either Senator Taft or Gen.
Eisenhower.
None of them, however, would have
either the glamor or the oratorical abil-
ity of Gen. Macarthur. And as keynoter,
Gen. Macarthur could launch the cam
paign he undoubtedly will make later
to replace the Truman Administration
with Republican one.