President aims speech tonight at two states
‘General discussion’ hinted by his aide
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt’s radio address tonight will probably be a “general discussion” in which he may explain why he is unable to make a personal campaign appearance in the Midwest, White House Secretary Stephen T. Early said today.
KDKA will broadcast the address at 9:00 p.m. EWT.
The President scheduled only one appointment today, a luncheon hour meeting with former War Production Board Chief Donald M. Nelson, and arranged to devote the rest of the day to the speech.
Asked what its topic would be, Mr. Early said:
In general, I think he will describe the situation that made it impossible for him to go West and to New England at the same time, despite the desires of some that he go to Ohio and Michigan.
Democratic program
The President speaks from the White House over a radio program from 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. His address will last 15 minutes and the rest of the program will be taken over by the Democratic National Committee.
The address tonight is obviously a substitute for a trip to Ohio and Michigan, and Mr. Roosevelt was expected to tailor it somewhat for listeners in that area.
In New England Saturday
Mr. Roosevelt will hold a news conference tomorrow, then start on his last major campaign swing which will find him Saturday in two of Connecticut’s major voting centers – Bridgeport and Hartford – and then in Massachusetts. There he stops at Springfield and proceeds later to Boston for a full dress and expectedly bare-knuckled blast at the Republicans from Fenway Park at 9:00 p.m.
Since the Chief Executive returned from the Midwest, he has been taking it easy, restricting his daily appointments to a minimum and concentrating on last-minute campaign plans and accumulated war duties.
Massachusetts doubtful
His weekend trip will take him to Boston three days after the appearance there of his Republican opponent, Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Speaking from Boston Garden last night, Mr. Dewey attacked what he termed Communist elements in the Democratic Party. He may receive a reply from Mr. Roosevelt Saturday.
Massachusetts, with 16 electoral votes, is listed by many polls as a “doubtful” state in this election. Mr. Roosevelt carried it in his first three campaigns by majorities ranging from 63,189 over President Hoover to 174,103 over Alf M. Landon. He topped the late Wendell Willkie by 136,822 votes in 1940.