Election 1940: McNutt Raps 'Song of Hate' (10-17-40)

The Pittsburgh Press (October 17, 1940)

McNUTT RAPS ‘SONG OF HATE’

New Dealer Sees Willkie Aligned With Dictators

Kansas City, Kansas, Oct. 17 (UP) –

Federal Security Administrator Paul V. McNutt charged last night that Wendell L. Willkie and the Republican Party had joined European dictators in a concert of hate for President Roosevelt.

In a speech which was broadcast over a state network, Mr. McNutt said that the dictators, who “know how to hate in unison,” hate no one more than they do President Roosevelt.

The Republican candidate, by joining them in their song of hate and vituperation against the greatest living champion of the people, has unhappily lined up himself and his party with the total haters of democracy.

The administrator, who himself was a presidential possibility until the “Draft Roosevelt” movement swept him aside at Chicago, said he did not accuse Mr. Willkie himself of dictatorial aspirations.

But I level at him and at his party the charge that the things for which they stand tend to create the very conditions which breed dictatorship.

The Republican Party stands for weak government and the centralization of controls of finance – a centralization which will permit it to regiment business and control industry. Such a policy makes for monopolies and the curtailment of production.

This in turn leads to unemployment and depression and the stage is set perfectly for the demagogue. Once political power is seized by such a character the seizure of the controls of industry is easy and a Fascist state has been born.

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