VATICAN APPROVES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 326, 13 September 1932, Page 7

VATICAN APPROVES

PRIEST'S CANDIDATURE FOR AMERICAN PRESIDENCY. Having completed his mission in Rome, Father James R. Cox, Roman Catholic priest, and a former miner, leader of the Washington hunger marchers, and now candidate for the Presidency of the United States, has left Italy to continue with renovated zeal his effort to reach the White House. Going to Rome with a group of pilgrims after attending the Dublin Eucharistic Congress, Father Cox was received by the Pope. It is not denied that Father Cox, as well as having the approval of the Vatican for his social welfare work as parish priest of Pittsburg, has also Rome's tacit approval of his wide political activities, including his candidature for the Presidency. As leader of the so-called "Jobless party" of "Blueshirts," he has let it be known at Rome that he is sure of the solid block vofe of America's 17,000,00 unemployed, plus those of 7,000,000 ex-servicemen and their families. He claims that 75 per cent. of his supporters are non-Catholics. It is expected in Yatican circles that even if he does not head the poll he will constitute a serious factor in the Hoover-Roosevelt duel. Father Cox is 46. He 'explained that he was in favour of complete cancellation of all war debts, revision of the Treaty of Versailles, and abolition of Customs barriers, and especially of th'ose of the United! States. He advocates the abolition of prohibition. He is in favour of reduced working hours but without reduction of wages. State-controlled banks and national production, vast schemes of public works, and redistribution of wealth. In justification of such radieal rneasures, be said that in the United States to-day it is 'either my party or Communism."