The Pittsburgh Press (April 30, 1944)
Record pre-invasion attacks also hurl destruction on France, Oslo and Hamburg
By Walter Cronkite, United Press staff writer
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By Collie Small, United Press staff writer
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By Russell Annabel, United Press staff writer
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Nuns in group held captive 14 months
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Truk hit 15th time from Solomons
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British drive enemy into ‘death pocket’
By Walter Logan, United Press staff writer
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Position is made ‘entirely unequivocal’
Allied HQ, Southwest Pacific (UP) –
Gen. Douglas MacArthur declared unequivocally today that he is not a candidate for the Presidency of the United States and would not accept the nomination if it were offered to him.
Gen. MacArthur’s statement repudiated the efforts of some political leaders in the United States to place his name before the Republican convention in Chicago in June.
“In order to make my position entirely unequivocal, I request that no action be taken that would link my name in any way with the nomination, his statement said, “I do not covet it, nor would I accept it.”
Gen. MacArthur said his statement was prompted by a number of critical newspaper articles which charged that the candidacy of any high-ranking officer on active service at the front would be detrimental to the war effort.
His statement follows:
On my return from the Hollandia operations, I have had brought to my attention a number of newspaper articles professing in the strongest terms a widespread public opinion that it is detrimental to our war effort to have an officer in high position, on active service at the front, considered for nomination for the office of President.
I have on several occasions announced that I was not a candidate for the position. Nevertheless, in view of these circumstances, in order to make my position entirely unequivocal, I request that no action be taken that would link my name in any way with the nomination. I do not covet it, nor would I accept it.
Debate now centers on ballot methods
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Purge plans laid to political unit
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Full military honors to be accorded
Washington (UP) – (April 29)
Final arrangements were completed today for the funeral of Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, who will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery Monday with the honors accorded a man who died fighting for his country. Mr. Knox died yesterday of a heart ailment at the age of 70.
Four battalions of Marines, bluejackets, Coast Guardsmen and women members of the naval services will form the escort. Honorary pallbearers will include top-ranking civilian and naval officials of the Navy Department.
Services at church
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday ET in the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church, where Secretary and Mrs. Knox were regular attendants. Rev. Fred A. Buschmeyer, pastor of the church, who lived in the same neighborhood as the Secretary’s family in Manchester, New Hampshire, will officiate. Navy Chaplain S. W. Salisbury will assist.
The pallbearers will be four bluejackets, two Marines and two Coast Guardsmen.
A Guard of Honor consisting of two bluejackets and two Marines will be mounted at Gawler’s Funeral Home, less than two blocks from the White House, until the body is taken to the church.
Army to take part
After the church services, the hearse will bear the casket to the corner of 15th Street and Constitution Avenue – two blocks from the office where Mr. Knox had served since 1940. There the casket will be transferred to a horse-drawn caisson furnished by the Army. A Navy band will lead the escort.
Just preceding the caisson, Marine Warrant Officer William A. Pierce will carry the late Secretary’s personal flag.
At about 3:00 p.m., the escort will start moving toward Memorial Bridge to cross the Potomac to Arlington.
Bugler to sound taps
The committal service at the grave will be conducted by Chaplain Salisbury, a bluejacket detachment will fire the volley and a Navy bugler will sound taps for the man who served his nation twice on foreign battlefields in the uniform of the Army.
Memorial services will also be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday outside the Navy Building and at the Navy Annex in Arlington, Virginia.
At 2:45 p.m. Monday, the Navy Department will close – except for skeleton staffs – for the remainder of the day.
The honorary pallbearers will include: Acting Secretary James Forrestal, Adm. Ernest J. King (Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Fleet), VAdm. Russel R. Waesche (Coast Guard commandant), Lt. Gen. A. A. Vandegrift (Marine commandant).
Subcommittee studies demand for ceiling
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But industry officials dissent and suggest court test of board’s authority
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Several mentioned by both parties
By Lyle C. Wilson, United Press staff writer
Washington – (April 29)
The trend toward selection of President Roosevelt and Governor Thomas E. Dewey to head the major party tickets this year suggests that the national convention contests will center around the vice-presidential nominations.
Neither Mr. Roosevelt nor Mr. Dewey is an avowed candidate for the presidential nomination. But the President’s renomination is inevitable unless he refuses to ruin. Whatever may have been said of his third term selection, there is every evidence that the Democratic Party is determined to draft him for a fourth term.
Dewey in lead
Mr. Dewey is less securely established, but in the first four months of this campaign year, he has consistently topped all others in the expressed and implied favor of Republicans.
Mr. Dewey was the favorite, also, when the Republican National Convention met in 1940. The 1,000 convention votes then were scattered among 13 persons on the first ballot. Mr. Dewey polled 360, Senator Robert A. Taft (R-OH) 189, Wendell L. Willkie 105, and Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg (R-MI) 76.
Mr. Dewey’s strength steadily diminished and Mr. Taft’s and Mr. Willkie’s steadily increased until the sixth ballot when Mr. Willkie went over the top. He had passed Mr. Taft on the third.
Warren mentioned
Mr. Dewey’s position appears this year to be much better – so much that if nominated he may be able to choose, and obtain nomination of a vice-presidential running mate without a real contest.
Many observers believe Governor Earl Warren of California would be the most suitable running mate for an Eastern presidential nominee. But there are others available in case Mr. Warren, as reported, prefers other employments. Mr. Warren has a large family and no personal fortune. Governor John W. Bricker of Ohio is making an aggressive campaign for the presidential nomination. If he misses the top spot, he would be a prize for second place.
Others listed
Other frequently mentioned include LtCdr. Harold E. Stassen (former Governor of Minnesota), Rep. Everett M. Dirksen of Illinois (one of the ablest members of the House), Governor Dwight Griswold of Nebraska and Rep. Joseph W. Martin Jr. of Massachusetts (House Republican Leader).
Mr. Roosevelt, if he is renominated, will determine whether there will be a convention floor fight over the vice-presidential nomination. By refusing to accept nomination himself unless he had a free hand in choosing his running mate, the President undoubtedly could compel the convention to accept his choice.
If that choice were Vice President Henry A. Wallace, there would be at least a minority explosion of considerable force.
Barkley, Rayburn?
Organization leaders who ultimately hope to regain party control from the Roosevelt faction of the party probably would meet such a maneuver by proposing “a man more satisfactory to themselves but whim it would be difficult for Mr. Roosevelt to oppose.”
Senator Alben W. Barkley (D-KY), Senate Democratic Leader, is mentioned as a possible compromise vice-presidential nominee.
Speaker Sam Rayburn (D-TX) has backers, as does Senator Harry S. Truman (D-MO).