Dewey may put off heavy campaigning until after Labor Day
Albany, New York –
A “down-on-the-farm” summer campaign, with political and state business carried on in Albany and speech-writing done on weekends at his 486-acre Pawling farm, was outlined tentatively yesterday by Governor Thomas E. Dewey.
Strengthening reports that his strategists want to keep the Republican presidential nominee “under wraps” until after Labor Day, Governor Dewey told a news conference in his executive office that he planned no major speeches in the next two months, but “may have to travel in the next month,” apparently to a campaign conference with other Republican Governors.
Gov. Dewey would not answer questions about national policies. He gave correspondents instead a detailed account of the historical background of the Quaker Hill community at Pawling (population, 1.446). Neighbors expect to hold a reception for him there Friday afternoon when he leaves Albany for a weekend.
May attend governors’ parley
Although Governor Dewey at first said all he knew about a prospective conference with other Republican governors was what he read in the newspapers, he later conceded he had discussed the possibility of such a meeting with Governor Earl Warren of California.
Governor Warren has promised to head an intensive campaign in California for Gov. Dewey and Governor John W. Bricker of Ohio, the vice-presidential nominee. Governor Dewey would not answer questions about Governor Warren’s refusal to be “drafted” by last week’s convention for the second-place nomination.
Chicago has been suggested as a possible meeting place for the governors. If the conference materializes, that probably will be Governor Dewey’s first trip out of New York since his flight to accept the nomination.
No plans beyond week
The nominee insisted, however, that his plans were not definite beyond this week. He is spending the Fourth of July in the Executive Mansion. working on the “enormous” congratulatory mail he said has stacked up. He had no appointments for visitors this week and said he planned to receive none at the Pawling farm.
“I would like to stay here for the next two months and go down to Pawling week ends.” he told reporters.
He said Republican headquarters would be opened in New York City tomorrow in the “Theodore Roosevelt” Hotel (his quotes), adding that Herbert Brownell Jr., new national chairman, would announce details soon.
Governor Dewey refused to discuss the government’s action in severing diplomatic relations with Finland and would not comment on the possibility that foreign policy might be ruled out as a campaign issue.