4,000 Hear Dewey Slap Stevenson, Laud Eisenhower's Leadership

DEWEY CAMPAIGNS IN ANN ARBOR: Former New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey (left), last night opened his personal campaign for the re-election of President Eisenhower with a major political address at the University's Hill Auditorium. At a dinner in the Michigan Union he chats with Lewis A. Engman of Grand Rapids, president of the Young Republicans at the U-M. Michigan Sen. Charles E. Potter is at the right.

4,000 Hear Dewey Slap Stevenson, Laud Eisenhower’s Leadership

By Wayne DeNeff

Thomas E. Dewey nostalgically toured the University campus this morning, any fears he may have had of Republican apathy toward the coming election somewhat eased.

The two-time Republican loser for the highest office in the land, packed them into Hill Auditorium last night with a fighting address for re-election of the Eisenhower team.

To an enthusiastic audience that applauded at every opportunity and gave the former New York governor a standing ovation following his address, Dewey detailed the GOP theme of ‘'peace-prosperity-progress’’ and took pot-shots at the Democrats.

Earlier in the day, at a press conference, Dewey warned about overconfidence among Republicans.

Perhaps recalling his 1948 campaign, he said, "Overconfidence is a dangerous disease. We had better work if we want the Eisenhower Administration continued in office.”

Praises Peace Efforts

In his Hill Auditorium address, Dewey had particular praise for Eisenhower’s efforts for peace.

"We will not stumble into war so long as we have the courage and wisdom of Dwight Eisenhower in the White House.

"Let me give you just one example:

"Red China was loudly threatening aggression against Formosa in early 1955. Their armies were massed. It looked like war in the Pacific again.

"This time we had a Republican president who knew the nature of the aggressor. He gave us forthright, decisive leadership in advance. He enlisted the support of the Congress with a boldness never before matched in times of peace. He proposed to warn Red China precisely where America stood.

"The Formosa Resolution was adopted by both houses of the Congress and the would-be aggressor then knew—not guessed, but knew—what would happen if he started a war. No war was started and at this moment no American boy is fighting any place in the world,” Dewey said.

Attacks Stevenson

He attacked Stevenson for his comments about the possibility of maintaining the military force without the draft and for Stevenson’s references to stopping further tests of the hydrogen bomb.

Dewey decried the assertion that the Republican Party is the party of big business in view of the some 34,000,000 votes Eisenhower received in the last election.

He noted, too, that after taxes, "the corporations of American today are getting not a larger share but a smaller share of the national income; at the same time, the workers of this country getting the largest piece of the national income pie in American history."

He praised the Republicans and condemned the Democrats on federal aid to schools, civil rights ” and foreign policy.

He said that 96 per cent of the Democrats in the House voted against the president’s school bill.

Points To Legislation

On civil rights, he pointed out that legislation sponsored by the president was killed by a Democratic committee in the Senate.

About Michigan's Gov. Williams, the former Republican leader had this to say:

"Here in Michigan you have a interesting contest. Gov. Williams is running for re-election...or should I say Walter Reuther is running for re-election?

"Of course Mr. Reuther won’t be able to give as much time as usual to this election because he has moved out to the larger scene. He has transferred his devouring embrace from the four-term governor of Michigan to the one-term governor of Illinois."

It was a thoroughly enjoyable Ann Arbor visit for Dewey, who was said to be more relaxed and confident eight years after his defeat by Truman.

A youngish 54, Dewey, a former Michigan Daily editor, was given a warm welcome at the Student Publications Building.

Sign Welcomes Him

"Welcome Back, Tom,” a huge sign painted across the editor’s desks read.

Daily Editor Richard Snyder read a resolution that Dewey had written as a student concerning Dewey’s opposition to a smoking ban. "I don't recall the resolution, but I can’t deny the signature,” Dewey beamed.

Following the press conference Dewey was the guest of honor at a dinner in the Michigan Union. Local and state Republican leaders were there.

At Hill Auditorium an organ blared out "Hail! Hail! the Gang’s All Here,” and Michigan football songs as the crowd of 4,000 filled the place by 8:15 p.m. Ike-Nixon banners decorated the platform.

Introduced on the platform were Republicans Sen. Charles E. Potter of Michigan, who later introduced Dewey, George Meader of Ann Arbor, representative in Congress; state Sen. Lewis G. Christman, Ann Arbor, state Rep. George W. Sallade, Ann Arbor, John Feikens, Republican state chairman; and Joseph F. Warner, Ypsilanti, candidate for the State House of Representatives for Washtenaw county’s Second District.