Burke Boosted For U. S. Senate

MONDAY, MAY 20, 1940
Burke Boosted For U.S. Senate
County Democrats Endorse Ann Arbor Attorney
George J. Burke, prominent Ann Arbor attorney, stood endorsed today as a candidate for the United States senate on the Democratic ticket, despite his vigorous denial of any intention of making the race.
He as endorsed Saturday night in resolutions of the Washtenaw County Democratic convention at which he was the principal speaker. He had left the convention room before the resolutions were presented and was not aware the committee intended to submit his name. Delegates cheered as his name was read.
"I appreciate the sentiment and the support given me by the Washtenaw county Democrats but I do not intend to be a candidate," Mr. Burke said today. "The support of my Washtenaw county friends means a great deal to me personally but I have no ambition for political office.”
Campaign Underway Despite his protests, a campaign appeared to be underway for his candidacy, with supporters Heartened by a "fact finding" survey in the state which showed Mr) Burke to be strongly favored as a senatorial candidate by Democratic organizations of the Congressional districts. The only office held by Mr. Burke by public election has been that of prosecuting attorney in Washtenaw county.
Regend John D. Lynch of Detroit told the county convention metropolitan Wayne county would "go for George Burke as if he lived there."
Mr. Burke, as the keynote speaker at the convention, declared it "absolutely necessary Roosevelt should be re-elected as President of the United States." He scored Senator Vandenberg's attitudes and discussed the various Republican and Democratic candidates for the presidency. :
Dickinson Criticized The resolutions scored Gov. Dickinson without naming him, declaring "we view with suspicion the efforts of any political party whose leader, however unconscious of his hypocrisy, alleging devotion to the interests of the people of his state, while claiming to receive through a 'pipe-line' from the Almighty guidance in the administration of the affairs of this great commonwealth, nevertheless, is found consorting with those same evil geniuses who, in the past, have so prominently wielded their influence in contravention of decency, morality and good government."
"This convention believes the action of the governor and the present administration in removing support for the crippled children of Michigan is one of the darkest pages in the recent annals of the state," the resolutions continued.
Other Points The convention also advocated al reduction of state payrolls, competitive bids on all state purchases, enactment of liberal labor relations laws, and the return of real civil service to the state as it existed under Murphy.
The resolutions of the convention endorsed Roosevelt for a third term, declaring it "is vital and necessary that his foreign policies and defense programs be carried to conclusion, under his authority and direction, rather than by week-end converts, and his continuance in office is required for the future safety, independence and welfare of the United States.”
Resolutions also endorsed Murray D. Van Wagoner, state highway commissioner, as a candidate for governor of Michigan and recommended the return to public office of Theodore I. Frey, Raymond Starr, George Gundry and Leo G. Nowicki. William L. Walz, Ann Arbor banker, was recommended for election as delegate from the second congressional district to the national convention with Mrs. Christine McDonald Huston as national committee woman and alternate to the convention.