MICHIGAN: Governor Dickinson Runs

Governor Luren Dudley Dickinson of Michigan is a nice old man. Whether doddery, 81-year-old Mr. Dickinson deserves more resounding praise is debatable. As Governor, using the kneel & pray technique, Mr. Dickinson has campaigned against drinking, tobacco, fallen women. Fortnight ago, the Governor called Lansing correspondents to his desk, read what he regards as a divinely guided statement: “I would be uneasy if not active and busy somewhere. Because of these reasons and because unusual demands have been made that I be a candidate for Governor, I am saying that if the electors think I am the one to further administer the office I will willingly continue the task and give every energy that I possess to do the work well.”

Newsmen had been waiting for something of the sort. Governor Dickinson explained that this candidacy was none of his doing. Said he, nominating petitions had been circulating without his knowledge, had collected well over 50,000 signatures. “I have never seen anything like it,” said piously amazed Luren Dickinson.

Piety in office is nothing to sneeze at. Republican and Democratic leaders alike, worrying about the people’s votes, are leary of starting an attack on the Governor that might be construed as an attack on the heavenly host.

Last week Michiganders noted, with varying emotions, these characteristic actions of their godly Governor:

>He sent a telegram to the War Department, asking authority to organize an anti-aircraft regiment in Detroit.

> Set July 3 as the date for a special meeting of the Legislature, to seek funds for sheltering the proposed regiment.

> Named a three-man board to map procedure for firing aliens from State payrolls. “It is not the British we are so much afraid of. We merely suspect the ones from Germany.”

> Continued a whirlwind speaking & praying tour.