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LBJ Speaks Out on Jenkins Resignation

Oct. 16, 1964 - President Johnson, his voice edged, struck back from the speaker’s platform tonight at political use of the Walter Jenkins case.

The President, addressing a huge crowd under floodlights in downtown Dayton, Ohio, was confronted by several crudely lettered signs that alluded to the White House aide who resigned Wednesday after his arrest on a morals charge had been made public.

Mr. Johnson took note of the signs and said he was not on hand to indulge in “muckraking or mudslinging,” since “those are always weapons of desperation and of fearful, frightened men.” He added:

“You can always tell them by their words, if not by their signs.”

He went on to say:

“I propose to use this campaign for the broad purposes that a campaign is meant for, a campaign to educate — educate the American people and the candidates themselves.

“A campaign can tear open new wounds, and it can pour salt on fresh wounds. It can divide America instead of uniting it.”

The signs in the crowd were printed in black on white cards. One said: “What About Walter Jenkins.” Another read: “Corruption Patrol,” and linked the names of Bobby Baker, Billie Sol Estes, and Mr. Jenkins.

On his arrival in Dayton, the President strode the full length of a fence lining the airport apron, shaking hands. The fence broke at one point under the pressure of the crowd. But no one was hurt.

The President then walked out between the unfenced crowds on the road leading from the airport. He strode for a quarter mile between screaming throngs that broke through police lines to surround him. It was only with difficulty that Secret Service men held them back, and finally, when Mr. Johnson indicated he was ready to go, they hustled him to the safety of his car.

Earlier today, the White House announced alteration of the President’s campaign schedule in the face of international developments.

He will stay in the capital, where, at the top of the White House agenda, are the resignation and replacement of Premier Khrushchev of the Soviet Union, the explosion of an atomic device by the Chinese Communists, and the election resulting in a Labor Government for Britain.



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