Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-27
The Political Mill
By C. Gould Lincoln.

For better or for worse, Gov. Frank
lin D. Roosevelt of New York has de-
clined to follow the recommendation
Of the Tammany leaders In New York
CITY in his message TO the State Legis-
sion in Albany. The Tammany leaders
wished the Governor to include in his
message recommendation that charges
of corruption In upstate Republican
cities be made a subject Of investiga-
ton along with the City of New York
controlled by Tammany Democrats.
But. Gov. Roosevelt in his message con-
fined the recommendations to strength
ening the hands Of the Legislative
Committee now investigating corruption
in Greater New York. The Tammany
alton to fight this legislation to the
last. They are doing nothing to aid in
the inquiry. into New York City's gov
eminent. On the contrary. they are
attempting to hamstring the inquiry.
The New York Governor did not fall
for either the bait or the threats of
Tammany. He has so far placed him
self on record as favoring Through
investigation of alleged graft in the
metropolis, an investigation to which
Tammany Is opposed.
,
Roosevelt, after the Legislature has
acted upon the bills to strengthen the
hands Of the committee investigating
the City of New York government, from
sending In supplemental message, call
ing attention to the charges laid before
him of corruption in Republican-con-
trolied cities in the State and asking
that something be done about them.
The Republican members OF the Legi5-
lature might then be in a position
where they would have to take cog
nizance Of these charges and provide
for an inquiry into @. 0. P.-controlled
cities or lay themselves open to the
charge that they are no better than the
TamfnRny Democrats In seeking to con-
ceal corruption. Such a move on the
part Of the Governor would undoubtedly
strengthen him with Democrats the
country over as well as in New York,
but 1t would not meet the needs of the
Tamfnany Democrats. The strategy of
the Tammany leaders was 50 to join
the proposed measures for investigation
of Republican-controlled cities with
those for the investigation of New York
the Legislature would kick over the
traces and not permit any Of the bills
to go through.
Just where Gov. Roosevelt's defiance
of the Tammany Democratic leaders in
this matter is going to land him Is a
question of much interest. 1t doubt
less will make him many friends out
side of New York State as well as In
it. But 1t brings him into open oppo-
sition to the strongest political organi-
nation in New York City. II the present
inquiry, however, should result in show
ing up great corruption under the sys-
tenn of Tammany rule In New York
City, Tammany may not be in posi-
ton to fight Roosevelt seriously next
year when the time rolls round for
selecting a candidate for the presidency
at, the Democratic National Conven-
ton. Anyway, other prominent New
York Democrats have succeeded far
better In national politics after break
ing with. Tamrnany. Certainly since the
Civil War Tammany never yet has
dominated the domination and cleo
ton OF 9 successful Democratic norni-
nee for President. On the other hand.
Grover Cleveland, after lighting the
organization while Governor of New
York, was successful in winning both
the nomination and the election as
President. Wilson won the nominal
ton as an anti Tammany Democrat
from New Jersey.
Dry leaders are becoming more and
more exercised, 1t appears, over the
possible nomination Of Gov. Roosevelt
for the presidency by the Democrats
next year. This fear lies not tn the
fact that Roosevelt may be nominated
but that he may be elected. The New
YORK. Governor, although he Is not re-
garded as fnilitantly wet, when it comes
60 eanxsf N4n. - r. a. =
Maryland or Al Smith, former Governor
Of New York, the 1928 Democratic
nominee for President, has neyerthe-
less made his record on the national
prohibition issue and 1t is not dry.
Indeed, It Is wet The election az a
President Of the United States who
Is frankly In opposition to the eight
zenith amendment as It now stands in
the Constitution. would be real blow
to the prohibitionists It is quite true
that . President cannot change the
Constitution and that he cannot change
the laws OF Congress for the enforce
ment OF the eighteenth amendment.
But the success of q wet at the polls
In national election would decidedly
lessen the strength of the dry cause
politically. Furthermore, q wet In the
White House, IL his party were in
power In Congress, could make recon-
nendations for legislation on the pro-
hibition question which might seriously
embarraSs the drys.
In 1928 the trys saw with distaste
but were not greatly worried over the
nomination of Alfred z. Smith for
President on the Democratic ticket.
Tney felt reasonably sure that he would
not be elected. And they were right.
At that time nearly any Republican
nominee for President could have de-
feated any Democratic nominee for that
office. Times were good and the peo-
pie were satisfied. Furthermore Smith
wore the Tammany label and also his
nomination raised a religious issue. But
the situation now is vastly different.
The Republicans are decidedly on the
defensive, since the depression has
fallen on the country and the army
OF unemployed has become great. 1t
win be difiicult to brand Roosevelt with
Tammany label in view of what is
now happening in New York. The drys
believe they can still dominate the Re-
publican party in the matter of presi-
Dental nominations and party plat
forms. But the Republicans do not
look to be the good bet they were in
1928 Therefore, the drys are begin |
nings to worry much more than they
mad JnougnC possible over the Demo-
cratic situation. Even if they could |
prevent the nomination of Gov. Roose-
welt, could they bring about the nomi- |
nation of dry Democrat for President
next year? Almost certainly the an
swer to that question is no.
\ \ 4 |
Indeed, today it looks very much as |
though Newton d. Baker of Ohio. Sec. |
rotary of War in khe Wilson, orI,1,ii1js
tration, may be the choice of the Demo-
n..nAs I7recideIak IL Ilfancn,rnlh a l