Dewey confers with Congressmen
Seeks views of Republican leaders
Albany, New York (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey began a series of conferences with Republican Congressional leaders today to discuss the issues of his campaign for the Presidency.
The Governor said he plans to obtain the views of as many Republican Congressmen as possible and, at the same time, offer his own ideas on important problems facing the country.
Mr. Dewey talked with Senator Arthur Vandenberg (R-MI) on foreign policy for two hours at the Executive Mansion last night, indicating that international affairs will play an important part in his drive to oust the Democratic administration in Washington.
Ten-word policy
Mr. Vandenberg, Republican expert on foreign policy, said he and the Governor were in complete accord and that the GOP position could be stated in 10 words: “We intend to preserve America and cooperate with the world.”
The Michigan Senator, second Republican Congressman to talk with Mr. Dewey, said the Governor’s acceptance speech “went over big in the Midwest” and predicted his election in November. He said Mr. Dewey was sure of 300 of the 531 electoral votes, but declined to explain how he arrived at that figure.
More conferences scheduled
Mr. Dewey will hold one more conference with Congressional representatives today before leaving for a weekend visit to his Pawling, New York, farm. Senators Warren R. Austin and George D. Aiken and Rep. Charles A. Plumley (R-VT) will lunch with Mr. Dewey. They will discuss campaign issues.
Mr. Dewey will resume conferences with Republican Congressional representatives Monday, when the Massachusetts delegation, including House Minority Leader Joseph W. Martin and Governor Leverett Saltonstall (a candidate for the U.S. Senate), visit him.
Is Dewey strong opponent? President declines to say
Mr. Roosevelt also refuses to answer query whether he’s found a running mate
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt was peppered with political questions at his news conference today, but wouldn’t give any information.
He said the answers probably would be evident sometime around next November – or maybe this month (the Democratic Convention meets July 19).
Meeting with reporters for the first time since the Republican Party nominated New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey for President, Mr. Roosevelt faced a barrage of political questions.
“Have you found a candidate for Vice President yet?” he was asked. This, the President said, sounded like an unfriendly question. He smiled, declined to answer it.
Not writing platform
Another reporter wanted to know what views Mr. Roosevelt, “as head of the Democratic Party,” had about the 1944 party platform. The President replied that he was not writing any platforms.
The question “Would you care to say whether you think Governor Dewey will be a strong opponent?” produced a roar of laughter in which Mr. Roosevelt joined.
Instead of answering, he said he was making notes for history on the procedure and methods of White House correspondents.
“Do you mean you don’t want to answer the question?” the reporter persisted. The President shook his head, chiding the reporter, a woman, for being a Pollyanna and a cheerful little girl.