Evening star., 1954-10-14
Wilson Voices Regret
For Dog Story, but
Charges Distortion
y IN. Associated Pres,

CHICAGO. Oct. 14.-Defense
Secretary Wilson says he's sorry
for making 'inept remarks"
about dogs while talking about
jobless workers.
But. he said. his remarks were
distorted by our left wing op2o-
nents."
81 admit that I made a mis-
take--an unfortunate mistake
bringing up those bird dogs at
the same time I was talking
about people," Mr.. Wilson told
a $100-a-plate Republican Party
Embarrassing dinner last night.
The 1.500 persons at the din
ner gave the former General
Motors executive an ovation
when he was introduced and
praised by Gov. William G.
Stratton of Illinois for his work
in running the Defense Depart
ment. Mr.. Wilson was applauded
SO times during his speech and
received another ovation when
he finished.
Had Urged Cancellation.
Earlier yesterday Gov. STRAIT
ton. Illinois No. l Republican;
had suggested that Mr.. Wilson's
Chicago speech be Cancelled be-
cause of Mr.. Wilson's allusion to
dogs during a discussion of
unemployment at a news confer
ence in Detroit on Monday.
Mr.. Wilson said his remarks
at Detroit were picked UP and
exaggerated all out of proper
ton" by the Democrats. who.
nearing the November election
are engaged in "a campaign Of
desperation. of deliberate mis-
representation, of hitting below
the belt"
Near the outset of his speech.
Mr.. Wilson told the Repub-
ucanS:
III match my labor record
with any one in. this Nation
and that goes for partisan poll
ticians. labor leaders or any one
else"
Mr.. Wilson's offhand reference
to bird dogs and kennel dogs in
talking about unemployment
had brought a storm of protests
from labor leaders and political
figures Of both major parties.
Liked Bird Dogs"
In Detroit he had said: "And'
I've got a lot of sympathy for
people where a sudden change
catches 'em-but I've always
liked bird dogs better than
kennel-fed dogs. You know. one
who'll get out and hunt for food
rather than sit on his fanny
and yell"
President Eisenhower has de-
Tended his cabinet member, say
ing he had never known Mr.. VIII
son to be Gin the slightest degree
Indifferent to human misfor-
tune" A presidential secretary
said Mr.. Wilson had told him in
a telephone conversation that
his remarks about bird dogs ap-
piled to a single situation.
Gov. Stratton, in introducing
Mr.. Wilson, termed him "a man
big enough to fight against odds
on misunderstanding and parti-
san attack when he believes he
is doing what is best for his
His remarks were
greeted with a roar of applause.
Denies Intervention.
The Governor. asked later
about reversing his attitude, de-
MED there was any Intervention
by the President and said he
thought Mr.. Wilson's speech as
"a very fine job in clearing up
any misunderstanding"
Mr.. Wilson declined to COM
ment when asked to account for
the harmony between him and
Gov. Stratton, and when asked
if the President had anything
to do with it. said that he didn't
talk to the President" today.
In Denver, a White House aide
also denied the President had
any hand in resolving the i'm
passe posed when Gov, Stratton
took his position about cancelling
Mr.. Wilson's speech. The aide
labeled as 100 per cent. wrong"
a published report that Gen.
and Gov. Stratton
talked by telephone yesterday
and that the President urged
Gov. Stratton not only to attend
the dinner but to introduce Mr..
Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson, prefacing his ad-
dress with an off-hand reference
to the bird-dog controversy,
lightly commented the dinner
received great deal of advance
publicity that wasn't planned" :"
The audience, which contributed
an estimated $l50.000 to G. o. P /.
campaign Golfers, laughed.
The Secretary acknowledged
Gov. Stratton's friendly intro
duction and then praised him for