50,000 Nazis retreat before British drive
Germans flee along front in Holland
By J. Edward Murray, United Press staff writer
…
Survey at battlefront shows war in Europe may continue into 1945
United Press men make 400-mile tour of frontlines, find Germans still tough
By Hugh Baillie and Virgil Pinkley
…
$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.
Cities clamor for Roosevelt
But his campaign plans are fluid
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt’s final campaign plans are as fluid as a drink of water and your guess is as good as that of the best-informed Washington politico about where and when he will make additional speeches.
The Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston engagements are officially fixed for tomorrow, Saturday and Nov. 4.
Detroit Democrats report that they are pressing for an appearance there. Cleveland party men have tentative but hopeful reservations on the Municipal Stadium in that city for Nov. 1 and 2.
That’s the way it is less than 24 hours before Mr. Roosevelt leaves for Philadelphia with way stops in Wilmington, Delaware; Camden, New Jersey, and Germantown, Pennsylvania.
The question before the house – the White House – probably is this: Whether it would be good politics to make a consecutive series of three or four speeches or better politics to make a couple in Philadelphia and Chicago and then to return home before a second western sortie to Cleveland or Detroit.
U.S. casualties reach 472,779
Washington (UP) –
Officially announced U.S. combat casualties in this war reached 472,779 today.
Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson said Army casualties through Oct. 14 totaled 403,074. As of today, Navy casualties, including the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, totaled 69,705.
The casualty figures include:
| Army | Navy | |
|---|---|---|
| Dead | 78,522 | 27,831 |
| Wounded | 220,529 | 27,857 |
| Missing | 51,009 | 9,537 |
| Prisoners | 53,014 | 4,480 |
| TOTAL | 403,074 | 69,705 |
Of the Army wounded, Mr. Stimson said 103,504 had been returned to duty.
He also reported that Army ground forces casualties in Italy to Oct. 16 totaled 91,063. Of these, 16,978 were killed, 62,184 wounded and 11,901 missing.
Army to guarantee safety for ‘last surviving sons’
Relief from combat or discharge ordered if two or more in family have given lives
…
Stimson silent on Presidency
Washington (UP) –
Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson today declined to take a stand in the presidential contest on the grounds the Army should be “absolutely free from any suspicion” of political influence.
Mr. Stimson, a Republican, told his press conference he saw no reason to change his policy of refraining from disclosing how he would vote.
1,200 U.S. planes hit Ruhr targets
London, England (UP) –
More than 1,200 U.S. Flying Fortresses and Liberators, escorted by 650 Mustang and Thunderbolt fighters, assailed industrial targets at Bielefeld, Münster and Hannover today, blasting new gaps in the Ruhr industrial area which lies on the direct route between the northern end of the Western Front and Berlin.
More worries for New Deal –
Perkins: Two labor agencies draw fire of Roosevelt backers
‘Wishy-washy’ action of WLB on wage issue and NLRB ‘favoritism’ both assailed
By Fred W. Perkins, Pittsburgh Press staff writer
Washington –
Two federal labor agencies are under outspoken criticism today from union leaders, some of whom are in the front of the fourth-term drive for President Roosevelt.
The War Labor Board is in the line of fire because of the amount of time taken by its public members in completing a report of the relationship between prices and wages – leading up to a decision by President Roosevelt on whether the Little Steel wage formula should be broken.
The National Labor Relations Board is criticized by American Federation of Labor spokesmen for a decision announced Tuesday which apparently ignored precedents and favored the CIO in the question of how employees of the merged Western Union and Postal Telegraph systems should be organized.
Roosevelt ‘on spot’
The WLB’s partial report on the wage-price situation, already hit by the CIO, was described by George Meany, secretary-treasurer of the AFL, as “wishy-washy, lacking any recommendations whatever, put up in such a way that the President will be able to find support in it for anything he wants to do – whether to turn down the wage demand or change the formula in any one of several different ways.”
And who put the President on the spot in this matter? It was the War Labor Board, with the labor members dissenting. It was the Board’s plain duty to make some kind of a recommendation, either for or against. Instead, and after more than 10 months of involved procedure, the public members plan to do something that could be accomplished just as well by one of the panel reports already available.
Complain of delays
Chairman William H. Davis of WLB admitted that his qualified plans to get the wage case out of his agency and to the White House by Nov. 1 had been abandoned.
R. J. Thomas, president of the CIO United Auto Workers and like Mr. Meany a labor member of WLB, showed disappointment at the way things were going, and it was learned that Mr. Davis had received two telegrams from Philip Murray, president of the CIO, complaining in vigorous language against the Board’s delays.
The Murray telegrams were of such a nature that Mr. Davis declined to make them public. And it was learned that after the telegrams were dispatched CIO leaders telephoned Mr. Davis, asking that the messages not be given to the press.
Political maneuver?
This latter procedure was regarded as part of the political maneuverings in the wage case.
The CIO leaders worked strenuously until a week ago to get the wage case on the President’s desk in time for a decision before election, but they are reported to have been advised that these activities were likely to cost Mr. Roosevelt votes.
Criticism of the NLRB’s decision in the Western Union case was augmented by Mr. Meany and Joseph A. Padway, counsel for the AFL. The latter alleged “undue CIO influence in the National Labor Relations Board,” resulting in a decision favoring the CIO on the same set of facts that had previously produced a different decision.
Truman denies ever being Klan member
Report called ‘lie out of whole cloth’
Peoria, Illinois –
Senator Harry S. Truman, Democratic vice-presidential nominee, today described as “a lie out of the whole cloth” a charge that he was a former member of the Ku Klux Klan.
At a news conference shortly after his arrival here, Mr. Truman was told by a reporter for The Chicago Herald-American that there was a report that he was once a member of the Klan.
“I am not a member of the Klan and never was,” he said.
‘Helped beat’ him
The reporter asked Mr. Truman if he knew a man named Harry Hoffman, and Mr. Truman replied that he knew the man and that he “helped beat” him when Hoffman was a candidate for Jackson County (Missouri) marshal in 1922.
The reporter then said Hoffman had signed an affidavit that as Grand Kleagle of the Klan he had sworn Mr. Truman in as a member in 1922.
“That’s a lie out of the whole cloth,” Mr. Truman said. He said the report “started in the campaign of 1922 and was nailed as a lie then.”
Candidate for judge
Mr. Truman said he was a candidate then for county judge in the Eastern District of Jackson County.
In Kansas City, Missouri, Lee M. Allen, one-time Klan Cyclops, charged that Mr. Truman joined the Klan in 1922 and spoke at a big rally of the organization. He alleged that Mr. Truman’s initiation fee check “bounced” and said another member paid it for him.
“He didn’t stay in the organization long – dropped out a short time after the election as I recall it.”
Roosevelt policies praised by Hull
Washington (UP) –
Secretary of State Cordell Hull, in a statement praising President Roosevelt’s leadership in foreign affairs, said today that he was a statesman “equipped by nature and by experience” as few statesmen have been equipped in the nation’s history.
The statement did not mention directly the forthcoming presidential election, but it was obviously an endorsement of Mr. Roosevelt’s bid for a fourth term.
The statement was issued through the State Department. Mr. Hull is in the Naval Hospital at nearby Bethesda, Maryland, for a physical checkup following a cold which kept him home more than two weeks.
Mr. Hull’s statement reviewed the foreign policy steps taken by the President in the last four years and emphasized the importance of international problems now confronting the United States and the world.
British troops gaining along Bologna front
Ferni is menaced by new advance
…
Full recognition given to Italy
Kirk to be named U.S. Ambassador
…
Stiffer Jap resistance predicted by Stimson
Secretary of War says enemy is tough and long and bitter fight is expected
…
Jap airplane factories hit in B-29 raid
Damage is admitted in Tokyo broadcast
…
Navy praised by Roosevelt
…
Ernie Pyle gets doctor’s degree
Albuquerque, New Mexico (UP) –
The servicemen’s “representative to the folks back home” – war correspondent Ernie Pyle – was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of letters at the University of New Mexico’s fall commencement exercises yesterday.
Pyle, recently returned from Europe, was presented for the degree by Dean George Hammond of the university’s graduate school, who said:
Peoples of the United States – in fact, the whole world – have come to know Ernie Pyle as a roving reporter during the present World War, writer of keen observation, tireless energy and a faithful and sympathetic nature.
He followed the soldiers around, wherever they were and, in his writings, became their representative to the folks back home.
The veteran Scripps-Howard correspondent received the degree with his usual modesty. He had said in advance of the ceremony that he didn’t think he deserved to be awarded the honorary degree.
Gracie Allen Reporting
By Gracie Allen
Hollywood, California –
Goodness, I wish those radio commentators would be a little more careful about their pronunciations.
Our cook was upset enough when Crosby stayed in England so long, but last night she really had a fit. She heard a commentator say that the British were going to take Sinatra. It wasn’t until this morning that George explained that it wasn’t Sinatra but an island called Sumatra.
It’s a blessing the Allies chased the Nazis out of France so quickly too. The only French town most commentators could pronounce was Paris. And heaven help them now that they’ve got to pronounce cities like Düsseldorf, Kassel, Kissen and Essen. That will really make them sound like they’ve got upper-plate wobble.
‘1000 Club’ organized to raise extra million for Roosevelt
President credited with originating plan
By Peter Edson
Washington –
Details of a plan to raise an extra million dollars to support the reelection of President Roosevelt through the formation of “The 1000 Club of the USA,” made up of 1,000 members, each contributing $1,000, have been announced by Frank J. Lewis of Chicago, national president of the club.
Organization of this club, which now has a paid-up membership of “over 100.55” is partially Mr. Roosevelt’s own idea, and the President is a paid-up member, having given his check for $1,000 to National Treasurer George K. Bowden of Chicago and received in return his red-enamel or engraved copper-plate lifetime membership card.
NOTE: This story was written and received prior to Governor Dewey’s address of last night in which he read a letter soliciting membership for the club, stating the idea originated in the White House and promising special favors for the contributors.
To buy radio time
The million-dollar club fund will be used to buy radio time and for other campaign activities which the 1000 Club will sponsor, independently from the activities of the Democratic National Committee which is limited by law to $3 million expenditures in a presidential campaign.
The fact that the 1000 Club was Mr. Roosevelt’s own idea was stated by Democratic Committee Chairman Robert E. Hannegan at a meeting of businessmen in Chicago on Sept. 11, when the club was formed. Minutes of this meeting have just been made public.
Roosevelt quoted
Quoting the President, Mr. Hannegan told the Chicago dinner meeting that the President had said to him:
I think it would be a good idea to have a list of 1,000 persons, banded together 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 the Legislature.
Mr. Hannegan arranged for the Chicago meeting, but having tossed the assembled businessmen this flaming torch, they picked it up and went on from there.
Edwin W. Pauley, treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, who was also present, said the President’s idea could develop into a powerful interest for good.
Made up of admirers
The club, it was stated, would be made up of admirers of the President and would be an organization of business and professional men he could call on for advice and counsel, not only during the campaign but also after the election.
Irwin Walker was named temporary chairman of the Chicago meeting, and a committee consisting of George K. Bowden, Marshal Field, Richard S. Reynolds of the Reynolds Metals Company, James Shepard of Los Angeles, Hunt Walter and C. V. Bay of Chicago was named to draw up a constitution.
Oklahoma Governor Robet S. Kerr spoke briefly in support of the objectives and William G. Johnstone, Oklahoma City oil and cattleman, proposed a club motto of “1000 members for the 1000 Club in 1000 hours,” which was received with such acclaim that Charles Bidwell of Chicago made out his check for $1000 on the spot, thus becoming really the first member of the club, although the President officially holds membership No. 1.
National head elected
The Chicago chapter was the first to be organized, with the election of Mr. Lewis as national president and George D. Crowley heading up the local chapter.
Organization has been directed mainly from Chicago. Plans call for setting up a chapter in every state.
Oklahoma was the first state to fill its quota of 25 members, through the efforts of Mr. Johnstone. The California organization is headed by Sam Goldwyn.
The Washington chapter is headed by Joseph E. Davies of Mission to Moscow fame.
Party chiefs invited
The Washington chapter of the 1000 Club is expected to be one of its strongest. Alfons B. Landa, one of the Davies law firm partners, has been doing most of the active organizing work among Cabinet officers – excepting Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and Under Secretary of War Robert B. Patterson, who are Republicans.
Other high party chieftains and government administrators will be invited to join.
Assisting in the national organization work as executive directors in Washington are six Congressmen who have no contests for election in their districts:
Estes Kefauver of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Robert L. F. Sikes of Crestview, Florida; F. Edward Herbert of New Orleans; Oren Harris of Dorado, Arkansas; Eugene Worley of Shamrock, Texas; and John J. Sparkman of Huntsville, Alabama.
Trustees named
The Board of Trustees of the 1000 Club, who are empowered by the club constitution to administer its affairs, are, in addition to President Lewis and Treasurer Bowden, Charles Ulrick Bay of the Bay Petroleum Company of New York; Marshall Field, New York and Chicago heir and publisher, Richard S. Reynolds of Virginia and Mrs. Jean Tuerk of Chicago.
The 1000 Club has no connection with the Business Men for Roosevelt, Inc., whose honorary president is Andrew J. Higgins of New Orleans. Mr. Higgins is, however, a member of the 1000 Club.
Arkansans accept ‘responsibility’ –
‘1000 Club’ link to Roosevelt denied by party leaders
Democratic chiefs say instigators of plan to raise money have already been rebuked
New York (UP) –
Democratic leaders said today that President Roosevelt had no connection with the “1000 Club” which Governor Thomas E. Dewey said had been promised special privileges for $1,000 campaign contributions. They also denied that it was authorized by the Democratic National Committee and said its instigators had already been criticized by party officials.
DNC Chairman Robert E. Hannegan said the club was never discussed with President Roosevelt, and “any quotation contained in the letter read by Governor Dewey attributed to the President is wholly without substance.”
Two accept ‘responsibility’
Mr. Hannegan said:
There is nothing mysterious about the “Thousand Club.” It is entirely independent of the Democratic National Committee and the statement attributed to the President, I repeat, is wholly without foundation and unauthorized.
H. L. McAlister and Samuel J. Watkins, Arkansas Democratic finance directors, whom Governor Dewey said signed the letter from which he quoted, issued a statement at Little Rock in which they assumed full responsibility for the letter and said it had been misinterpreted by the GOP presidential candidate.
Statement quoted
Their statement said:
We assume personal responsibility for the “Thousand Club” letter. The interpretation Mr. Dewey placed on the sentence “members of this organization undoubtedly will be granted special privileges and prestige by party leaders” is entirely foreign to ours.
The words “prestige and special privilege” do not mean to us what has been inferred by him.
Arkansas citizens have received many benefits, directly and indirectly from the present Democratic administration. We know what to expect from a Republican administration. We have tried both. Our thinking on the matter of contributions to the party is definitely expressed by this sentence which was placed in practically all of the letters going out from this headquarters – the amount of your contribution should be measured by your ability to pay, by your party spirit and by your desire to see the present Democratic administration continued.
‘In trouble before’
The men revealed that they had been in trouble before with the national party for their efforts to build a fire under hesitant campaign contributors and on one occasion Wilburn Maycock, National Committee counsel, wrote them that one of their letters “does not reflect the policy or ethics of the Democratic administration and it is to be repudiated as such…”
Mr. Hannegan seized the opportunity to criticize GOP campaign contributions.
He said:
The Democratic National Committee does not have “angels” of the type of Joe Pew of Pennsylvania who has contributed $13 million to the Republican Party.
Because of this fact, the project to interest liberal and progressive business and professional people who are able to make a contribution of $1,000 was developed to assist in financing the campaign.
‘Investment in democracy’
Mr. Hannegan said he had not seen the letter to which Governor Dewey referred but had been advised of the “Thousand Club” by Edwin W. Pauley, treasurer of the National Committee.
“Those who subscribed $1,000 are making an investment in democracy and this project has my approval,” he said.