Evening star., 1960-01-03

the 1860 campaign when there
are so many important issues.
II would think" he continu-
ed. that if my candidacy re-
suited in that. my candidacy
would not have performed
much Of a national service"
Defense as Major Issue
] Senator Kennedy predicted
national defense would be a
top issue in the campaign as
a primary element of this
country's relations with Soviet
Russia and Communist China.
He said he considered the
proposed national defense bud
get as too low and would favor
increased taxes or some new
sources Of taxes to maintain
an adequate defense. He FORE
saw a missile gap with Russia
ahead Of the United States.
Senator Kennedy said the
last eight years-the Eisen-
hover administration - could
be compared to the l920s.
When President Eisenhower
I leaves Office many problems
will be left for his successor,
including relations with the
Soviet Union.
! For this reason, the Senator
added, lit is the greatest mis-
take" for the Budget Bureau to
set figure on national defense.
He said he would favor larger
expenditures next year.
Lists Six Top Issues
In his formal announcement
Senator Kennedy said the pres
idency is "the most powerful
office in the free world" and
decisions to be made in the
next four years will be the
most crucial in this century.
Among the top issues he listed
for the campaign were:
/. How to end or alter the
burdenSome arms race. where
Soviet gains already threaten
our very existence"
2. How to maintain free
dom and order in newly
emerging nations"
3. How to rebuild the stat
ure of American science and
education.
4. How to prevent the COL
lapse of our farm economy and
the decay of our cities"
5. How to achieve, without
further initiation or unem-
ployment, expanded economic
growth benefiting all Ameri-
cans"
6. And how to give direc-
ton to our traditional moral
purpose. awakening every
American to the dangers and
opportunities that confront
US"
In his news conference COM
ments, the Senator said he
thought the labor rackets'
legislation passed in the last
session Of Congress also would
be an issue in the campaign.
But he defended the compro-
mise that was worked out,
saying that, while far from all
that was desirable, 1t was the
best that could be reached.
The alternative, he remarked
was the House-passed Lam
drum Griffin bill imposing even
more restraints on organized
labor.
He said he had been precise
in his views on civil rights and
would hope to continue to have
the support of Alabama's Gov.
John Patterson. who has an
inounced for him. and other
Southerners.
He also said he would sup
port legislation giving Negroes,
and all other voters, the right
to cast their votes. Asked If he
supported the proposal for Fed
eral voting registrars, Senator
Kennedy replied that he had
not seen the specific legislation
and favored hearings on it.
He acknowledged there was
mo substantial difference" be-
tween him and Senator Hum
phrey as liberal Democrats.
But he added that he thought
the voters would have no diff
ficulty in making a decision.
Senator Humphrey, he said,
would be "a good nominee and
I would support him" He
passed over a question regard
ing other possible nominees,
commenting that he was sure
the convention would select "a
liberal, progressive, effective"
candidate.
He also disclosed that he will
confer soon with Gov. Michael
v. Disable regarding the Ohio
primary. Both Gov, Disable
and Senator Lausche had in
dicated they may run in the
primary as favorite son
candidates.
AS for his own campaign or
ganization, Senator Kennedy
said he does not expect to name.
a campaign manager. His
brother Robert, who managed
his 1852 senatorial campaign,
the Senator added. will have
d helpful" pa In the
campaign.