British troops two miles from Gothic Line
Eighth Army ready to begin assault
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Much ado about nothing –
Stokes: Reporters get their day with diplomats – and how!
Dumbarton Oaks press conference is anything but enlightening to writers
By Thomas L. Stokes, Scripps-Howard staff writer
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Poll: Parties split on health of Roosevelt
Excellent – Democrats; not do good – foes
By George Gallup, Director, American Institute of Public Opinion
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Kuhn, ex-Bundist, joins hunger strike
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Roving Reporter
By Ernie Pyle
Paris, France – (by wireless)
As we drove toward Paris from the south, hundreds of Parisians – refugees and returning vacationists – rode homeward on bicycles amidst the tanks and big guns.
Some Frenchmen have the facility for making all of us Nervous Nellies look ridiculous. There should be a nonchalant Frenchman in every war movie. He would be a sort of French Charlie Chaplin. You would have tense soldiers crouching in ditches and firing from behind low walls. And in the middle of it you would have this Frenchman, in faded blue overalls and beret and with a nearly burned-up cigarette in his mouth, come striding down the middle of the road past the soldiers.
I’ve seen that very thing happen about four times since D-Day, and you never can see it without laughing.
Well, the crowds were out in Paris like that while the shooting was still going on. People on bicycles would stop with one foot on the pavement to watch the firing that was going on right in that block.
As the French 2nd Armored Division rolled into the city at dangerous speed, I noticed one tank commander, with goggles, smoking a cigar, and another soldier in a truck playing a flute for his own amusement. There were also a good many pet dogs riding into the battle on top of tanks and trucks.
Amidst this fantastic Paris-ward battle traffic were people pushing baby carriages full of belongings, walking with suitcases, and riding bicycles so heavily loaded with gear that if they were to lay them down, they had to have help to lift them upright.
And in the midst of it was a tandem bicycle ridden by a man and a beautiful woman, both in bright blue shorts, just as though they were holidaying – which undoubtedly they were.
Each tank sort of social center
You never saw so many bicycles in your life as in Paris. And they rig up the funniest contraptions on them, such as little two-wheeled carts which they tow behind. And we saw a wagon rigged up so it could be pulled by two bicyclists riding side by side, like a team of horses.
For 24 hours tanks were parked on the sidewalks all over downtown Paris. They were all manned by French soldiers, and each tank immediately became a sort of social center.
Kids were all over the tanks like flies. Women in white dresses climbed up to kiss men with grimy faces. And early the second morning we saw a girl climbing sleepily out of a tank turret.
French soldiers of the Armored Division were all in American uniforms and they had American equipment. Consequently, most people at first thought we few Americans were French. Then, puzzled, they would say, “English?” and we would say, “No, American.” And then we would get a little scream and a couple more kisses.
Every place you stopped, somebody in the crowd could speak English. They apologized for not inviting us to their homes for a drink, saying they didn’t have any. Time and again they would say, “We’ve waited so long for you!” It almost got to be a refrain.
One elderly gentleman said that although we were long in reaching France we had come swiftly since then. He said the people hadn’t expected us to be in Paris for six months after invasion day.
There are not many American soldiers in Paris. And it’s unlikely there will be, at least for some time, because they are out over France going on with the war.
Paris was not a military objective; its liberation so soon was more of a symbol. That’s the reason the French Armored Division was assigned to the job.
Hotel life strange to Ernie
The armies still fighting in the field were practically deserted for a few days by the correspondents, as we all wanted to get in on the liberation of Paris. There were so many correspondents it got to be a joke, even among us. I think at least 200 must have entered the city that first day. both before and after the surrender.
The Army had picked out a hotel for us ahead of time, and it was taken over as soon as the city surrendered. But though it was a big hotel it was full before dark the first day, so they have taken over another huge one across the street.
Hotel life seems strange after so long in the field. My own room is a big corner one, with easy chairs, a soft bed, a bathroom and maid and hall-porter service. There is no electricity in the daytime, no hot water anytime and no restaurant or bar, but outside of that the hotel is just about like peacetime.
Sitting here writing within safe walls, and looking out the window occasionally at the street thronged with happy people, it is already hard to believe there was a war; even harder to realize there still is a war.
President to open campaign at Teamsters Union dinner
Rules out nationwide tour, but leaves door open for visits to key states
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt has chosen a dinner here Sept. 23 given by labor leaders for the first outright political speech in his fourth-term campaign, but he ruled out a nationwide tour because he has too much to do.
The dinner is being given by Daniel Tobin, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (AFL), for officers of state, district and local affiliates of the union.
David D. Beck, vice president of the union, said no other distinguished officials would be invited. He pointed out that Mr. Roosevelt addressed the union’s convention here in September 1940 and that the invitation was renewed this year as a matter of courtesy.
May visit some states
“Nothing about politics was said in the invitation to the President,” Mr. Beck said. When advised that the President had stated that the speech could be labeled political, Mr. Beck replied: “That’s up to him.”
Asked whether the speech might be intended to cement the labor vote behind Mr. Roosevelt in November, Mr. Beck answered: “He’s already got it.”
He said he had not yet decided whether he would make other political speeches. Observers pointed out that the decision against a nationwide tour would not preclude Mr. Roosevelt from campaigning personally in Pennsylvania and New York, or in other states where the presidential decision may be close in November.
Attempt to woo AFL?
The fact that radio time for the President’s speech to the Teamsters will be paid for by the Democratic National Committee interested observers here in light of the confusion resulting from the address he delivered at Bremerton, Washington.
Some political experts sought to interpret the President’s acceptance of the Teamsters’ invitation as an attempt to swing AFL unions into the fourth-term camp. Unlike the CIO which is openly and vigorously supporting a fourth term, the AFL is not officially backing either party candidate.
Hillman accused by Harvey Taylor
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (UP) –
Republican State Chairman M. Harvey Taylor today accused Sidney Hillman, national chairman of the CIO Political Action Committee, of desiring “a 100 percent mortgage” on the Democratic Party.
Denying testimony which Mr. Taylor said Mr. Hillman gave in Washington before a House committee investigation of campaign expenditures, the State Chairman said:
Hillman’s so-call nonpartisan group is playing for big stakes. They don’t care how a man votes just so he votes for Roosevelt; that makes them as nonpartisan as a professional bodyguard.
They say they have no purge list in the coming election, but the records shows they’ve always been around with a financial blackjack when there is a Republican skull to crack.
Hillman also tells us he wants no credit if Roosevelt is elected. He won’t need it – a $6 million slush fund establishes a high credit rating in any league. If Roosevelt wins and Hillman becomes America’s labor dictator all the other union leaders will have to come to Sidney with a tin cup.
If Hillman is really sincere in his desire to remove the Communist stain from his Political Action group, his resignation as chairman would be an admirable step in that direction. He could also renounce his Communist associates.
Dewey plans seven talks in tour of nation
Will open campaign trip at Philadelphia
Chicago, Illinois (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Republican presidential candidate, will make his first nationwide campaign next month, during which he will make seven major addresses and confer with party leaders, Republican National Committee Chairman Herbert Brownell Jr. announced today.
Mr. Dewey’s tour, which includes a visit with his mother at his hometown of Owosso, Michigan, will begin at Philadelphia Sept. 7, where he will make a nationwide radio address, his first since he accepted the nomination at Chicago two months ago, and will end with his return to Albany, Sept. 28.
He will cover 21 states and deliver major speeches at Louisville, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City, in addition to the one at Philadelphia.
In addition to his addresses, Mr. Brownell said Governor Dewey will confer with Republican governors as well as industrial, agricultural and other groups during stops in ten states. The entire trip will be made by train.
Governor Dewey’s Philadelphia address will be broadcast over NBC and CBS from 10:00 to 10:30 p.m. ET. While in Pennsylvania, Governor Dewey will confer with Governor Edward Martin and other party leaders.
The second stop will be at Louisville where he will address the National Federation of Republican Women’s Clubs Sept. 8, and confer with Governor Simeon Willis.
Governor Dewey will confer with Governor Harry F. Kelly at Lansing, Michigan, the following day and then will journey to Owosso.
Leaving Owosso the following day, Governor Dewey will go to Des Moines, Iowa, for conferences with Governor Bourke Hickenlooper and agricultural leaders Sept. 11, and then will proceed to Valentine, Nebraska, to confer with leaders of ranching and cattle-raising groups at the ranch home of former Governor Sam R. McKelvie, director of the western division office of the Republican National Committee in Chicago.
Governor Dewey will remain at Valentine until Sept. 14, when he will leave for Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, arriving there Saturday for conferences with Governor C. A. Bottolfsen and leaders of lumber, agricultural and other organizations. He will leave in the afternoon for Spokane and conferences with Washington leaders the same day.
The party will arrive at Seattle Monday, Sept. 18, where Governor Dewey will speak that night.
Governor Dewey will speak from Portland the following night and then will go to San Francisco for another address Sept. 21. The following night, he will speak in Los Angeles and then will go to Oklahoma City for an address there Monday, Sept. 25.
From Oklahoma City, Governor Dewey will return to Albany.
Becomes election issue –
Pearl Harbor blame put on Roosevelt
Montpelier, Vermont (UP) –
Clarence Budington Kelland, Republican National Committeeman for Arizona, told the Vermont State Republican Convention today that the “odium” of the Jap attack on Pearl Harbor must attach itself to President Roosevelt as “the highest authority which permitted the condition to exist.”
Mr. Kelland charged the President with allowing Pearl Harbor to “drowse and dance instead of being alert to repel attack,” with the neglect of elementary precautions and the congregation of U.S. naval vessels “in a single spot… like sitting ducks.”
He asked:
Why dare they not bring to trial the Army and Navy officers charged with the guilty responsibility for that disaster?
Why, knowing the awful extent of the disaster, did the Commander-in-Chief in a speech to the nation declare that the sinking of our fleet in Pearl Harbor would have no appreciable effect upon the war in the Pacific?.. He knew that as a result of the sinking of our fleet Japan was free to attack innumerable islands, make wide conquests, invade Burma, capture Hong Kong and Singapore, while we looked on helpless.
Mr. Kelland asked:
Why, knowing the imminence of war, did the Commander-in-Chief neglect the Philippine Islands and fail to garrison and supply them for defense?
Guam issue is defended
Washington (UP) –
A new Republican demand for “the truth about Pearl Harbor” was voiced by Rep. Frank B. Keefe (R-WI) yesterday in charging that the administration sought to evade the issue by blaming Congress for failure to fortify Guam.
Congress did not fail to fortify Guam because neither the President nor the Navy Department asked it to, he asserted in a speech on the House floor.
GOP governors open presidential campaign of Dewey
Fair play, honesty in government stressed by Warren, Green, Baldwin
By the United Press
The Republican Party officially opened its 1944 presidential campaign last night with a three-way radio broadcast by Governors Earl Warren of California, Dwight Green of Illinois and Raymond E. Baldwin of Connecticut.
Governor Warren called for fair play in the election and said:
We want the national administration to apply the rules it has made, whatever they may be, to itself as it does to us.
Governor Green charged that the “bosses of the big city New Deal machines dictated the renomination of President Roosevelt” while the Republican campaign “springs from the people.”
Governor Baldwin asserted that political bosses have “staked all they’ve got to get Tom Dewey because the Republican candidate believes in honest government by honest men and practices what he preaches.”
Republican National Chairman Herbert Brownell Jr. had described the radio broadcasts, which are to be followed by others by Republican governors, as the “kickoff” of the Republican campaign.
Green blasts New Deal for ‘machine politics’
Chicago, Illinois (UP) –
Governor Dwight H. Green of Illinois said last night that “the New Deal edicts from on high are being executed by the ruthless heads of corrupt political machines.”
In contrast, he said:
The Republican program, drafted in consultation with the people, is submitted to the voters through the regularly constituted state and local Republican organizations.
Governor Green said:
We in Chicago, where both conventions were held, will never forget them. Every detail of the proceedings which nominated the fourth-term candidate was dictated by the bosses of the big city New Deal machines, Kelly and Hague and Flynn and Hannegan.
The Republican Convention, on the other hand, was a free expression of the will and choice of Republicans throughout the nation. It culminated in the nomination of Governor Dewey by acclamation, because the delegates were convinced that he could best rescue our country from the tragic mistakes of the New Deal and best lead America to victory in the war and to a sound peace.
Warren asks fair play, candid discussion of issues
Los Angeles, California (UP) –
Governor Earl Warren of California last night opened the 1944 presidential election campaign of Governor Thomas Dewey, declaring the Republican Party intended to wage its political fight on a fair-play basis.
He said:
We shall neither hide our own purposes nor seek or misrepresent our opponents. The people are entitled to a candid, sincere discussion of election issues, and we on our part propose to engage in that kind of discussion.
Governor Warren declared the Republicans were not fighting a negative or destructive fight.
The California Governor said he believed the rules of fair play should apply with equal force to each side.
He declared:
New Deal speeches should not be designated as “educational” while others of like character by Socialists and Republicans are suppressed from our fighting men as “political.”
Governor Warren said the Republican Party wanted the fair-play practice to extend to collection and expenditure of campaign funds. He added:
The Republican Party does not propose to buy this election. We insist Mr. Sidney Hillman and his committee shall not be permitted to do it either.
Dewey’s war on racketeers cited by Governor Baldwin
Bridgeport, Connecticut (UP) –
Governor Raymond E. Baldwin last night said that political bosses “have staked all they’ve got to get Tom Dewey” because the Republican presidential candidate believes in honest government by honest men and practices what he believes.
Governor Baldwin asserted that the American people should know “what are some of the forces behind” the Democratic fourth-term drive, for, he said, if the drive is successful “these same forces will… shape the program of a fourth-term administration.”
He said, however, that he would talk “not about the Communists and the corrupt political machines which are among the fourth term’s chief promoters,” but about Governor Dewey.
He said:
I know you will feel the same pride that I feel in knowing that Tammany Hall is against Governor Dewey; that Frank “I Am the Law” Hague is against Governor Dewey; that Boss Kelly in Chicago is against him – and that Boss Pendergast of Kansas City would be against him – if Boss Pendergast were not so recently out of jail.
He added:
Could anything be a greater tribute to Governor Dewey than that. All these are against him because they are against Governor Dewey’s kind of government… He believes that the place for crooks is not in politics, but in prison… He has put more bigtime crooks in jail than any living American.
Governor Baldwin asserted that Governor Dewey, after his election as Governor of New York, found that:
A sinister ring of racketeers had got their hands on the funds which were supposed to go to injured workingmen and their families.
The New York Governor broke that ring, he said, and fired corrupt officials.
“A government of integrity is the Dewey kind of government,” Mr. Baldwin said.
Perkins: New strike laid to delay of WPB to act
Walkouts continue to plague Detroit
By Fred W. Perkins, Pittsburgh Press staff writer
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Background of news –
Bricker and Ohio
By Bertram Benedict
Republicans are hoping that their nomination of Governor Bricker of Ohio for the Vice Presidency will help to carry the Buckeye State for the GOP in November.
No Vice President has ever been elected from Ohio. In fact, only two major party nominees for the Vice Presidency prior to 1944 have been Ohioans, both Democrats – George H. Pendleton, defeated in 1864, and Allen G. Thurman, defeated in 1888.
Ohio has 25 votes in the Electoral College, the same number as California, and fewer only than the electoral votes of three other states – New York (47), Pennsylvania (35), Illinois (28). In the only close election (in electoral votes) in the last 60 years, that of 1916, Ohio went Democratic by 90,000 votes out of 1,164,000 cast. If Charles Evans Hughes, the Republican nominee, had carried Ohio, he would have defeated President Wilson for reelection.
‘As Ohio goes, so goes nation’
If recent precedent be any guide, Governor Dewey and Governor Bricker will win the election if they carry Ohio. Ohio is the only state in the Union which has voted the same way as the whole country in every presidential election since 1892, so that it may well be said: “As Ohio goes, so goes the Nation.”
Prior to 1940, the Buckeye State shared that distinction with North Dakota, but in the last election North Dakota voted for Mr. Willkie.
Moreover, Ohio in recent elections has given the winning presidential candidate approximately the same percentage of its major party vote as his national percentage:
| Ohio | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 (Roosevelt) | 52% | 55% |
| 1936 (Roosevelt) | 61% | 62% |
| 1932 (Roosevelt) | 61% | 59% |
| 1928 (Hoover) | 63% | 59% |
Republicans can be hopeful about Ohio in November because the state has shown an increasing Republican trend since 1936. In that year, it went for Mr. Roosevelt by 620,000 and chose a Democrat (Martin Davey) for Governor over Attorney General John W. Bricker. But in 1938, Mr. Bricker won over a Democrat (Sawyer) by 118,000. In 1940, Mr. Bricker was reelected over Mr. Davey by 365,000, and in 1942 over Democrat McSweeney by 377,000.
In 1932, Ohio chose a Democrat for Senator by 166,000 and in 1934 another Democrat by 437,000. But in 1938, Ohio sent a Republican, Robert A. Taft, to the Senate by 170,000 and in 1940 another Republican, Harold H. Burton, by 145,000.
Republican trend shown
The Ohio delegations in the House of Representatives also show a Republican trend:
| Republicans | Democrats | |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 6 | 18 |
| 1936 | 2 | 22 |
| 1938 | 15 | 9 |
| 1940 | 12 | 12 |
| 1942 | 20 | 3 |
The present membership in the upper branch of the Ohio Legislature is 28 Republicans, five Democrats; in the lower branch, 111 Republicans, 25 Democrats.
However, the Democrats may take some comfort from the above compilation because Ohio seems to have been less pro-Republican in the years between. It will be noticed that the Democrats did better in 1936 and 1940 than in 1938 and 1942. Ohio gave Mr. Roosevelt a majority of 146,000 in 1940 while electing Mr. Bricker governor by 365,000.
The only defeated vice-presidential candidate in recent years who carried his own state was Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas in 1928.
In Washington –
Nation turns eyes toward post-war plans
Budget Bureau told to prepare statistics
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PAC repudiation predicted
Washington (UP) –
Rep. Gerald W. Landis (R-IN) predicted today that public resentment against the CIO Political Action Committee would force President Roosevelt to repudiate its support shortly before election but “with the understanding that the PAC will receive his blessing after the election.”