Evening star., 1960-06-08
ROCKEFELLER
Continued From First Page

will get the Republican nom-
nation at the convention in
Chicago next month. But he
continued to avoid any direct
Endorsement of Mr.. Nixon.
A reporter asked Gov. Rookie
feller if he would like to use
this forum to indorse the can
didacy of Mr.. Nixon?"
His straight-faced reply was:
II hadn't planned to-"
When another reporter asked
if he would like to make the
speech putting Mr.. Nixon's
name in nomination at the
convention, Gov. Rockefeller
replied: II haven't given that
any thought either"
Gov. Rockefeller made one
comment which could be taken
as criticism Of Mr.. Nixon for
not speaking out more vigor-
ously on issues facing the
country.
It came after the Governor
said he would like to invigorate
the Republican Party by speak
ing and taking positions on
issues.
Asked if he might take posi-
tions contrary to those of Mr..
Nixon, he shrugged and said,
Il wouldn't know, because he
has not thought it necessary
to discuss the issues"
The Vice President has de-
liberately refrained from ex-
pressing any thoughts on ma
jor issues beyond the Eisen-
hover administration position
before he is able to speak as
the Republican nominc in
order to avoid any possible ap-
pearance Of conflict with ad-
ministration policies.
Undecided on Convention
Gov. Rockefeller said he
would like to attend the con-
vention, but has not decided
definitely yet whether he would
do so. He emphasized that his
main concern about his possible
convention activity is to make
1t absolutely clear that he will
not accept nomination for Vice
President.
A reporter asked him, what
is the matter with running for
Vice President?" He replied
that nothing is the matter
with it think the vice presi-
dency is a tremendously impor-
tant post" But he said he
thinks he can be more useful
as Governor Of New York
than in a standby position
here"
Gov. Rockefeller was flying
back to New York for a meet
ing at noon of the New York
Republican State Executive
Committee at the Roosevelt
Hotel.
1t was understood he planned
to issue a statement after the
meeting in New York, but there
was no advance information of
whether it would go beyond
State matters.
The Governor told question:
ers at the White House that
he expressed some concern to
the President about his going
to Japan in the face of efforts
by determined leftist groups to
force cancellation of the visit.
But he said Mr.. Eisenhower is
a very courageous determined
leader and not one to pull back
from danger"
Asked if he thought the Pres
ident should go ahead with the
planned visit in view of in
creased security problems, he
said he did not have enough
information to judge for him
self but that "if he says so, I
think he should go, and he says
he is going"
He also said he believes the
President will arouse the warm
spontaneity" of the Japanese
peoples friendship for the
American people-and II think
that is why some groups do not
want him there"
May Speak at Convention
There is a possibility that
Gov. Rockefeller will be invited
to address the Republican Con-
vention.
Senator Morton of Kentucky,
the G. o. P. national chairman,
while not mentioning Gov.
Rockefeller specifically, said
yesterday the convention Ar
rangements Committee at a
meeting here tomorrow may
consider inviting all Republi-
can Governors to share the
speaking platform.
If the Arrangements Com
mittee decides to name a Gov
ernor as. convention keynoter
Gov. Cecil Underwood of West
Virginia appeared to have the
inside track.
Senator Morton said no deci-
sion has been reached pending
tomorrow's meetine