Oct. 15, 1964 - President Johnson pledged last night to take important new steps toward lessening world tensions if he is elected.
He used the forum of the Alfred E. Smith memorial dinner to hail an improvement in Soviet-American relations. He said relations between the two powers had “come a long way since shoes were banged on desks here in New York and a summit meeting collapsed in Paris.”
The President was clearly tired after a strenuous day of campaigning.
He said at the outset that he would delete portions of his prepared speech because of the late hour — he did not speaking until 11:14 p.m. Among the portions he deleted was a reference to impending moves to strengthen peace, and a hint of possible new arms agreements with the Soviet Union.
The President was heard by 2,000 persons who paid $100 each to attend the dinner in the Waldorf-Astoria. The receipts go to the Smith Memorial Foundation for charitable purposes.
The President was given a 30-second ovation when he started to speak and was interrupted six times by applause, the heartiest coming when he declared he had no intention of withdrawing from the United Nations.
In his opening remarks, the President replied with good humor to the gibes of Governor Rockefeller. In a speech earlier, Rockefeller alluded to the “carpetbag” charge Republicans have levied against Robert F. Kennedy, who is running for the Senate seat of Republican incumbent, Kenneth Keating.
Mixed boos and cheers had greeted Rockefeller’s ironic reference to “visitors from other states.” Turning to Mayor Wagner, the Governor said: “There is a rumor that Y.A. Tittle may run for Mayor and Yogi Berra for Governor.”
And he added amid laughter: “Maybe we had better concentrate on cherishing New York. We not only have a World’s Fair, but we have other wonders: We both have new political companions: Dick Nixon for me and Bobby Kennedy for you.”
The President, in reply, said: “I gather that the affable Governor does not share some of his colleagues’ views on immigration or perhaps we are still free at least to immigrate between the states.”
Both Mr. Kennedy and Senator Keating attended the Alfred E. Smith dinner, but they were not among the speakers.
President Johnson plans to have Mr. Kennedy with all day today for rallies in Rochester and Buffalo, followed by a 30-mile motorcade in Brooklyn, and a big Liberal party rally in Madison Square Garden tonight.
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