Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27
ROOSEVELT HAILED
AS g CANDIDATE
Wheeler, Urging New York
Governor as Standard Bear
er, Hits Hoover.
BY the Associated Press.


NEW YOAK, April 26.-Gov. Frank
lin D. Roosevelt was hailed tonight as
the winning standard bearer of a mill
tant progressive Democratic party in
1882 by Senator Burton K. Wheeler
Of Montana In an address at the an
nual Jefferson day dinner Of the Ma
tional Democratic Club.
Senator Wheeler said the "over-
shadowing issue" before the American
people was control of electric power.
He added that the Democratic party
of the Nation must follow the policy
of the Democrats of New York, as led
by former Gov. Alfred E. Smith and
Gov. Roosevelt, and preserve the con-
troll of the people.
Gov. Roosevelt spoke on Thomas
jefferson. Other speakers were Mrs.
Nellie Tayloe Ross, former Governor of
Wyoming, and Supreme Court Justice
John L. Walsh, who was POSTMASTER.
More than 1000 Democrats, including
several party leaders, attended.
Power Control Held Vital.
whoever controls the electric power
Of the Nation in the future will control
the economic life Of the Nation" Sena-
tor Wheeler said.
Power Is the one issue upon which
the Republicans dare not compromise
It is their one love from which they
dare not desert, and as I look over the
field for a general to lead the people
to victory under the banner of a re-
united, militant progressive party. I
cannot help but fasten my attention
upon your governor. The West Is look
ing to Roosevelt to lead the fight, and
with him feel sure we can win"
Senator Wheeler criticized the old
line Republicans in Congress and said
the administration of President Hoover
had failed to relieve unemployment:
He also criticized the establishment Of
a commission to alter tariff rates fixed
by Congress and said that a coalition
cans was trying to reclaim this power
for the legislative branch Of the Gov
eminent.
Pleads for States Rights.
Gov. Roosevelt urged Democrats to
preserve their adherence to the states
rights doctrine of the founder Of the
party, as its chief distinguishing fea-
ture. Numerous national questions, he
said, would find solution in application
of the principles Of Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson, were he alive TO-.
day, would be champion Of social and
at am certain that Thomas Jefferson
would regard with some misgivings some
trends in American business life.
refer particularly to the concentration
of economic power in small number
of Troups, composed of small number
Of individuals, and especially the con-
troll of public utilities by half a dozen
of such groups; the spread Of the
chain store system, and the control OF
capital itself through huge bank con-
solidations."
Mrs. Roos criticized the administra-
tons record in the first quarter OF this
term. She contrasted the Republican
rule" which, she said, expressed the
political philosophy OF Alexander Ham
ilton, with the principles Of the Demo-
cratic party. founded entirely on the
political principles of Jefferson"
Prominent Democrats among the
diners included former Gov. Smith
Senator Key Pittman of Nevada; for
mer Gov. Harry F. Byrd OF Virginia
and Senators Royal S. Copeland and
Robert F. Wagner of New York.
Voicing criticism of President Hoo
yer, Senator Wheeler said:
1.-The country realizes that we are
drifting from democracy and building
up in Washington the. greatest bu-
reduETdCy CIle WOTlO IldS ever SCCus
1T is autocratic, inefficient and In
some instances corrupt. But Mr.. Hoo
yer seems bent on having Congress dele
gate all the power conferred on 1t to
commissions"
Charges Tampering With Liberties.
Wheeler said Thomas Jefferson,
founder of the Democratic party
called attention to the iniquity Of an
executives lodging responsibility be-
hind this sort of barricade."
History is full of instances" he con-
tinued, (which show chiefs of govern
ment tampering with the liberties OF
the people through the indirect mech
anism of a council or a commission
who would hesitate to go so far in
their own proper persons.
obviously a commission appointed
by the President, over which he has
full power of appointment and direct
charge, is going to register nothing
/ but the Presidents will"