The Pittsburgh Press (July 23, 1944)
Democrats bank on big mass vote
Door-to-door drive asked by Hannegan
By John L. Cutter, United Press staff writer
Chicago, Illinois – (July 22)
The Democratic Party tonight pitched its campaign to reelect President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the keynote that mass voting is the secret to success in November.
That was the theme of Chairman Robert E. Hannegan’s final instruction to the closing meeting of the Democratic National Committee. It was the essence of a brief speech to the committee by Senator Harry S. Truman (D-MO), new vice-presidential nominee.
Mr. Hannegan, reelected unanimously, predicted ultimate victory for the Roosevelt-Truman ticket but warned that it would not be easy.
‘Get the vote out’
He said:
People are not registered. The Republican Party is not interested in doing anything about it. The more voters cast the better it is for us. We must wage a vigorous campaign of registration. The only way to do it is a door-to-door campaign.
Mr. Truman, a product of the once-powerful Kansas City Pendergast machine, reminded the committee that, “I am a practical politician and I know what I talk of” when he warned them, “This campaign is not just words. Let’s get the vote out.”
Truman endorsed by CIO
They drew confidence from the unqualified endorsement of Senator Truman by Chairman Sidney Hillman of the CIO Political Action Committee, who had supported renomination of Vice President Henry A. Wallace in the bitter vice-presidential contest.
DNC Treasurer Edwin W. Pauley reported, however, that he was closing the convention with a cash balance on hand of only $116,000 and a warning that “it’s a very small amount to have on hand for a campaign year.”
Despite the intensity of the vice-presidential contest, the meeting closed on a note of harmony with Mayor Edward J. Kelly of Chicago absolving Mr. Hannegan of charges that he used his high office to scuttle Mr. Wallace in favor of Senator Truman, his personal friend and political mentor.
Wallace sends telegram
Mr. Kelly told the committee:
Bob Hannegan never mentioned the name of Senator Truman at the start of this convention. He didn’t put him in the race but he got behind him when it became evident that it would be to the benefit of the party.
Mr. Wallace, the defeated candidate, telegraphed Senator Truman his congratulations on “your enlarged opportunity to help the President and the people” and pledged that “both of us will do our maximum for Roosevelt and what Roosevelt stand for.” Senator Truman told a press conference that Mr. Wallace is still his friend.
President Roosevelt telegraphed Senator Truman that he was happy to have you run with me.” Senator Truman replied that he was happy too, was “at your command and I want to see you soon.” Meanwhile, he left for his Independence, Missouri, home to remain until Congress reconvenes Aug. 1.
Disputes are settled
A dispute between rival Texas factions was solved amicably by seating Mrs. Hilda H. Weinert of Seguin (representing the anti-Roosevelt delegates) as the new National Committeewoman. Mrs. Clara Driscoll of Corpus Christi, retiring committeewoman (sponsored by the pro-Roosevelt group), will be appointed to a position of honor within the committee.
The principal remaining discordant note involved the possibility of a bolt by Southerners to form a new “Jeffersonian Democratic Party” in the hope of seizing the balance of power in the Electoral College.
Former Mississippi Governor Mike Conner conceded that there had been “a great deal of informal discussion” of such a maneuver but said there had been no final decision
Senator James O. Eastland (D-MS) issued a statement, however declaring that the Roosevelt-Truman ticket is a sure winner and should receive the votes of Mississippi presidential electors.
No Missouri man ever Vice President
Washington (UP) – (July 22)
If the Roosevelt-Truman ticket wins the election in November, it will be the first time in American history that one President had served “over three different Vice Presidents.
If the Democrats win this year, it will also be the first time that the state of Missouri has ever had a Vice President. No man from Missouri has ever been President, either.