$1,000 initiation fee –
Dewey charges Roosevelt is selling favors
Reads letter to prove ‘dishonesty’
Aboard Dewey campaign train (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey, charging that President Roosevelt is willing to “sell” a voice in administration policies for contributions to his fourth-term campaign, promised today a Republican victory in November would bring an end to special privileges for any group in national affairs.
The Republican presidential candidate hurled the charge of privilege-selling in a campaign speech last night in which he accused the Roosevelt administration of dishonesty throughout its 12 years in office.
‘Boos’ for New Deal
The charge drew a chorus of resounding “boos” for the New Deal from the audience of some 30,000 which packed Chicago stadium. Following the address, the New York Governor headed back to Albany preparatory to spending the remaining time until Nov. 7 speaking in New York and New England. He will deliver a “farm speech” Saturday in Syracuse, New York.
The Syracuse address will be on KQV at 12:30 p.m. Saturday ET.
Governor Dewey based his charge of privilege-selling on a letter which he said was signed by two Arkansas Democratic leaders, soliciting members at $1000 each for a “one thousand club” and declared that the plan originated in the White House.
Democratic leaders in New York today denied that either President Roosevelt or the Democratic National Committee had anything to do with the “Thousand Club.” They added that instigators of the idea had already been criticized by party leaders.
He said the letter was dated Oct. 16, 1944, was written on the letterhead of the National Democratic Campaign Headquarters at Little Rock and was signed by “H. L. McAlister and Sam J. Watkins, state finance directors.”
Letter quoted
“The letter explains the idea behind this plan of my opponent,” Governor Dewey said, and he quoted:
Members of this organization undoubtedly will be granted special privileges and prestige by party members. These members will be called into conference from time to time to discuss matters of national importance and to assist in the formulation of administration policies.
“To be eligible for membership will require a contribution of $1000 to the National Democratic Campaign Fund."
‘Brazen business’ charged
Governor Dewey denounced the plan as “a brazen piece of business.”
In tracing origin of the plan to the White House, Governor Dewey quoted the letter as saying that it was conceived at a conference between President Roosevelt, Robert E. Hannegan, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Edwin W. Pauley, treasurer of the committee, and attributed to Mr. Roosevelt these words:
“I think it would be good idea to have a list of one thousand persons banded together from all over the United States to act as a liaison to see that facts relating to the public interest are presented factually to the President and members of Congress.”
Shakedowns charged
Governor Dewey went on to promise that “in the new administration that takes office next Jan. 20, there will be no special privilege for sale to any one at any price.”
Governor Dewey charged that the Roosevelt administration began “by casting aside the platform it adopted in this city 12 years ago.”
He said:
It went on to exploit for its own political ends the plight of millions of American men and women for whom in peacetime it never succeeded in providing jobs.
Men and women on WPA and on relief were shaken down for political contributions to the New Deal.
‘Subterfuge’ alleged
Governor Dewey charged, too, that President Roosevelt resorted to “subterfuge” to accomplish things which he “did not dare to do directly.” He recalled, too, that when President Roosevelt ran for a third term, he declared that “when that term is over there will be another President.”
Shouts from the crowd promised “there will be.”
Dewey gaining, writers believe
Washington (UP) –
Twenty-nine of 50 Washington correspondents polled believe President Roosevelt will be reelected as compared with 33 last August, Newsweek Magazine reported today.
In its “Periscope Preview” the magazine said Governor Thomas E. Dewey had “improved his position” since the last preview, Aug. 14.
Newsweek said:
Then the writers divided 2–1 in predicting FDR’s reelection. This time the division is only 4–3 in Mr. Roosevelt’s favor.
Popular desire for a change and CIO leftist support of the President were the principal reasons given by those predicting Dewey’s election.