Evening star., 1952-03-20


Jersey Governor has obviously
taken steps to corrupt the intent
of the primary scheduled for April
Is.
This can only mean," he de-
clared, that the Republican work.
ers and party members in New
Jersey will feel in no uncertain
degree the pressure and power OF
both the State organization and
the Governor. It is an atmosphere
IN which there cannot be a fair
contest in New Jerseys Presi-
dental preferential primary"
Name Stays on Ballot.
Although Senator Taft will not
contend for the preference vote
in the primary, his name remains
on the ballot since the deadline
for withdrawal from the ballot
was midnight March IL.
Gov. Driscoll was not imme-
diately available for comment.
But former Gov. Walter E. Edge,
a strong supporter of Gen. Eisen-
hover, declared that Gov. Dris-
coll was within his right to in
dicate to his friends and follow
ers in New Jersey his personal
choice"
In Milwaukee Harold E. Stas-
sen called Senator Taft's with
drawal a confession. of the weak
ness Of his candidacy when it is
submitted to the will of the
people"
Mr.. Stassen said the Ohio Sen
ator's action was Undoubtedly
Influenced by his very weak show
ing in the Minnesota primary on
Tuesday"
Text Of Taft Statcmeht.
Senator Taft's statement said:
Because Gov. Driscoll has bro
ken his word and has obviously
taken steps to corrupt the intent
Of the preference primary of New
Jersey, I have decided not to con-
tend for the preference vote in the
New Jersey primary on April Is.
Reversing his previous position,
Gov. Driscoll announced. his open
support Of Gen. Eisenhower on
March II and one Of his leading
political associates. Lloyd b.
Marsh, secretary of State, said at
the same time that the State Re-
publican organization will actively
campaign for the election Of Gen.
Sees Unfair Contest.
"This can only mean that the
workers and party
members in New Jersey will feel
IN no uncertain degree the pressure
and power Of both the State or
ganization and the Governor. It
Is an atmosphere in which there
cannot be a fair contest in New
Jerseys presidential preferential
primary.
"This action by the Governor
and other Republican leaders of
the State directly repudiates the
position taken by the Governor in
recent weeks. The latest example
of his professed neutrality is his
public statement of last Wednes-
day, March IL. 1852. This was
the final day under the New Jer-
sey Statutes for withdrawal. Thus,
up to the very last opportunity on
my part to withdraw, or take any
other action, the Governor MAIN
tanned his show Of neutrality. At
that time, Gov. Driscoll was asked
whether he favored any particu-
lar candidate, and he said: 7 can't
shut the door in anybody's face
by making any announcement
"On Monday night, March II,
five days after the deadline, he re-
versed his position Of March IL
by announcing his open support
OF EISENHOWER.
Urged Not to File Slate.
Il think the public should also
know that I was urged by New
jersey organization leaders not
to file a slate of delegates-at-
large on the ground that all can
didates would be given fair con-
SiderationS. ! was also assured
that all candidates would be in
vited to come into New Jersey to
address meetings sponsord by the
State organization. The dele
gates would then have had the
opportunity Of making up their
minds as to the candidates Of
their choice. To this I agreed
and at my request my friends in
New Jersey did not enter any
delegates-at-large.
assured of the Governors
good faith. ! went even further
than he proposed. Several OUT
standing citizens requested the
use Of my name in filing as dis
(See REPTJBIICANS Page A-41