Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-24
Politics at Large
BY C. Could Lincoln.

Where does the election of John F
Curry, leader of the fifth district Man.
haitian, to be leader of Tammany Hal
leave former Gov. Alfred E. SMITH
Probably it will be easier to answer
that question six months or a veal
from now. In New York at present
however, the election of Curry, an ex.
ponent of the "Old Tammany" rather
than Of the New Tammany," is inter.
preted as setback for the former
governor and decided boost for Mayor
Jimmy Walker. The New York World
ardent Smith supporter, says editorially
OF the election of Mr.. Curry:
"Tammany has made its choice, anc
its choice is an insider' rather thar
an outsider a district leader rather
than statesman, the counsel of Mayor
Walker. rather than the counsel of A
Smith"
The same editorial in the World de.
clares that the selection of Mr.. Curry
means that Tammany has turned it,
back on the man who refurbished il
and gave it dignity and standing
Further the World declares that if the
Republicans will put up an outstand-
ing man for mayor, a man of demon
strated ability, the World will support
that Republican candidate against
Mayor Walker, backed by Tammany, in
the election of mayor this Fall. The
World, however. leaves itself an "out'
by saying it would prefer to support
Mayor Walker nominated even by
Tammany Hall, which has now turned
back the clock, rather than some wholly
mediocre Republican nominated by hack
m q n
1t Is clear, however, that there is no
little hard feeling among the Demo
Gratis of New York, and even among
the Democrats of Tammany itself. Pos
sibly Mr.. Curry will be able to handle
the situation and bring together the
warning factions. After ALL the ability
of the Tammany Democrats to hang
together has won them many victories
in the past.
The district leaders Of Tammany
aided and abetted by Mayor Walker
who now looks forward with confidence
to denomination and reelection as
mayor, have taken the bit in their teeth
II is urged still by Smith admirers that
The former governor has a tremendous
hold on the voters of the State and of
the greater city, and that if it ever
came to showdown at the polls, that
hold would be demonstrated again. Some
OF the Tammany leaders and lesser lead
erS, however, have had it in their minds
that the governor was high-hatting
them, and it has been whispered more
than once he failed to receive the
Wholehearted support of all Tammany
during the presidential election last
year. This is vigorously denied, on the
other hand, by some of the men in the
closest airn l.,
defeat of Gov. Smith in New York State
to the business men, little big, MANY
OF them Jews, who feared that a ma
tlonal Democratic administration would
disturb conditions which have been good
for them.
Is the Smith political star going down
or will 1t arise again to greater heights?
'Ihat Is question which many Demo-
Gratis throughout the country are ask
ing themselves. There is one group
which is inclined to say, "Al Smith
is going to write his autobiography
and that in itself indicates where he
gets off," 1t is the same group which
declares that Gov. Smith had his
chance and now should step aside and
permit some other Democrat to make
a try for the presidency.
There is one factor in the situation
which confronts the Democratic party
To-Day which cannot be overlooked.
That is the $l,40O,000 deficit growing
out OF the last campaign. AS long as
that deficit lasts, it may be expected
that John j. Raskob, Al Smiths chair
man of the Democratic national COM
mittee, will continue at the head of the
Democratic national organization. There
are thousands of Democrats who would
like to see Mr.. Raskob removed from
the place.
But what Democrats, no matter how
wish to undertake the Job of
paying off million four hundred thou
sand dollars of debt? Mr. Raskob in
CURED the debt, or, rather, the Demo-
cratic national committee did under his
leadership. The feeling now is TO let
MN pay it Off. Until the debt is paid
or underwritten Mr.. Raskob is likely
to remain as chairman. The debt is
greater by more than million dollars
IMAM was the debt which was left to
Glen Shaver, John w. Davis national
chairman, at the close of the 1924 CAM
palgn. Mr.. Shaver stayed with the
debt up until the opening of the con-
ventlon at Houston, when the debt was
lifted.
X X X
At recent conference of Democratic
leaders in New York City. attended by
national leaders who had gone there
Tor the Jefferson day banquet, there
was general discussion of rational
Democratic politics, and views we're ex-
that the advice of the Demo-
cratic leadership in the Congress should
be given much weight in the future.
THESE Democratic leaders in Congress.
IL was pointed out. would be on the
firing line and directing the policies of
the party in national affairs. Particular
emphasis was laid upon the need of
needing the views of Senate leaders.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas, the
Democratic leader of the Senate, was
also the Democratic candidate for Vice
President last year. The suggestion is
made now in some quarters that Sena-
tor Robinson may well become a rally
ing post for the party two years and
four years hence. There is not the
slightest doubt that Senator Robinson
has demonstrated his ability as party
leader in the Senate, And, further. he
has shown to advantage when it has
been matter of getting measures
through the Senate. Time and again
C mas been his hand which has helped
to guide needed legislation over the
rough spots in the Senate.
X X
Two Senate committees dominated by
Republicans within the last few days
nave failed to respond to the recon-
of President Hoover. One
vas the committee on agriculture,
which defled the President and wrote
nto the farm bill the so-called export
iebenture plan. The second was the
committee on immigration. a majority
4 which, under the leadership of Sem
ltor Reed of Pennsylvania, stood fast
or the national origins clause cf..the
law, which President Hoo
'er has asked Congress to suspend. In
Jew of the results of the last election,
t would appear that the Senate Repub-
leans were taking little on themselves.
Il = L.