The Pittsburgh Press (October 27, 1940)
WALLACE TAGS ‘TOTALITARIAN’ LABEL TO LEWIS
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Says CIO Chief Failed To Dictate Policy To Roosevelt
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Aboard Wallace Special En Route To Iowa, Oct. 26 –
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Henry A. Wallace charged tonight that John L. Lewis, by his statement endorsing the presidential candidacy of Wendell L. Willkie, had allied himself with “the totalitarian interests” of big business.
The statement, issued aboard his campaign train, constituted the democracy reply to Mr. Lewis’ speech of last night in which he excoriated his support of the Republican candidate.
By switching his political support, Mr. Lewis hopes to identify himself with those totalitarian interests, such as “Weir and Girdler” who hope to gain control of the government, Mr. Wallace said. The CIO chief had tried to dictate Labor policies to President Roosevelt and failed, he said.
That statement was issued as Mr. Wallace sped back to the politically uncertain Midwest for the final week of the campaign.
He urged re-election of President Roosevelt to “unite agriculture, labor, industry and business” during a one-day cross-state tour of New York during which he made eight speeches.
Vincent A. Dailey, New York State Democratic chairman, and other state political leaders accompanied Mr. Wallace aboard the special six-car train that took the party from New York City to Rochester and thence to Albany.
Monday, Mr. Willkie will open a two-day automobile tour of Iowa, his fourth of the campaign.