Roberts balks at rumors of candidacy
Pew may woo judge of Supreme Court
Washington –
Associate Justice Owen J. Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court is not a candidate – dark horse, favorite son, or any other variety – for the Republican nomination for the Presidency.
Published statements that several groups in the Republican organization are eyeing Mr. Roberts as a possible candidate on the ground that he could make a stronger campaign, and appeal to more elements of the party than New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, left the Supreme Court jurist unimpressed.
Earlier talk scorned
There was similar mention of the Supreme Court member from Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1932, 1936 and 1940, but Justice Roberts each time ignored talk of his possible candidacy.
He is ignoring it this time, in the same way. He will make no statement, since he considers the whole thing “silly.”
Mr. Roberts, a member of the court since 1930 and now its second ranking member, is one of the two Republicans on the highest bench.
On world politics
This year, there is even more substance to the talk of Mr. Roberts, in view of his announced stand for strong participation by the U.S. in international affairs in the post-war period.
Joseph N. Pew Jr. Philadelphia oil man, has reportedly as many as 100 Southern delegates to add to Pennsylvania’s 70 delegates in the Republican convention. Four years ago, he and Joseph R. Grundy, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association leader, rallied the state’s 64 delegated and a few others around the then Governor Arthur H. James until after Wendell L. Willkie was assured of nomination.
Pew’s strategy?
Should Mr. Pew decide to join the “Stop Dewey” movement, he could augment his strength by allying himself with other GOP factions who want to see a candidate with a stronger record as to foreign policy and as to governmental service, according to this line of reasoning.
Mr. Roberts is 69 and in vigorous health. A former University of Pennsylvania law professor, he was special prosecutor for the government in espionage cases in Eastern Pennsylvania during the last war and in the Teapot Dome oil scandal after the war. He was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Hoover.