Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-22
BY MARK SULLIVAN.

Tehlly fascinating 10 any eApcIlSIlCcu
political observer or to any one who
watches with understanding these
maneuvers Of politicians and those
currents Of popular psychology that
eventuate in political results.
I put It this way, THE movement
that is carrying Gov. Franklin RooSe-
velt," because I shrink from saying
''Gov. Roosevelt's candidacy" and from
using any other phrase that implies
self-conscious purpose on the part OF
the New York Governor. The motives
that cause any public man to take
certain steps are something within The
boundaries of his own skull. They
cannot be known positively to any out
slider; often they are unknown or vague
to the man himself. The phrases al
most universally used about every man
who has become q presidential posi-
bility, such as 'Roosevelt's candidacy"
or Smiths candidacy" or "Ritchie'S
candidacy" or as the case may be, in
cludes an assumption which in the ma
ture Of things cannot always be exact.
One unfortunate result Of this loose
ness of p1raseology is to attribute to q
public man motives Of ambition for &C
tionS which in fact may have been in
spired by simple sincerity.
The movement of a man toward the
presidency is made up of several active
does for q political purpose; what he
does without political purpose; what
his friends do; what is done by strang-
ers to whom his personality or his rec
ord appeals; the mere nature Of politi-
cal and economic conditions at the
time the man happens to emerge.
With respect to Gov. Roosevelt. all
these factors are operating. Some Of
the factors work in his behalf; others
y 81 hal ~ xNaI
with some elements Of the voters, but
harm him with others.
Two Steps Help Cause.
With this explanation, let us say that
Gov Roosevelt during the present
month has taken two steps likely to
help him toward the presidency,
through their appeal to two separate
groups Of voters. (The possibility that
the two steps may partially cancel each
other is one reason that makes the sit
uation fascinating)
One of Gov. Roosevelt's steps was
a. kinship which he set up between him
self and the ProgreSsives (who are
chiefly, in their way, Of the Republican
party) at the conference held by the
latter in washington last week. The
dispatch about that conference which
was sent to the New York Herald-Trib-
une at the close Of the opening day be-
gan: Gov. Franklin d. Roosevelt Of
New York emerged today at the end Of
the first session Of the conference of
'Progressives' as an outstanding candi-
date for their support in the presiden-
tial campaign period ahead" Those
words, 1t is fair to say, are a reasonably
exact expression Of the state Of mind of
all who observed the Progressive con-
ference closely and were best equipped
to interpret its spirit and its conse-
quences. Gov. Roosevelt and the Pro-
gressiYe conference made toward each
other plain gestures of mutual esteem.
Almost they were Damon and Pythias;
certainly they were Alphonse and
CASTOR.
Gov. Roosevelt took pains to have at
least three direct communications with
the conference. Upon receiving an in
vitation to attend 1t he wrote q cordial
letter saying, in effect that he would
love to be there and that he would try
to so arrange. Subsequently he called
the leading spirit In the conference
land the leading spirit OF the whole
Progressive movement), Senator George
w. Norris Of Nebraska, on the phone
and explained that he was only pre-
vented from having the honor and
pleasure OF attending by the fact of
his Legislature being in session in AL
bany.
Telegram Shows SoIicitude.
Finally Gov. Roosevelt sent q tele-
gram to the conference, for publica-
ton. in which he hoped you will be
good enough TO send me the report of
the conference. May I call your at
tention particularly" added Gov. Roose-
: welt significantly, "to the waterpower
policy OF this State, to our agricultural
program, and the new land utiliza-
ton policy which I have outlined"
The Progressives on their part recip-
rocated. Plainly they were pleased by
Gov. Roosevelt's gestures Of sympathy.
Plainly they approved his stand on the
power issue. 1T is clear" wrote the
exceptionally acute Frank Kent in the
Baltimore Sun, that Gov. Roosevelt
is the favorite presidential possibility
now in the field among the Progress
siyes."
Gov. Rooseyelt's wooing of the Pro-
gressives, so far as it had conscious
political purpose, looked not to the pri-
mary election for getting the Demo-
cratic nomination-bu to the subse-
quent general election between the
Democratic and Republican candidates.
The ProgTessives have little or no power
TO help Gov. Roosevelt toward the
Democratic nomination; for that he
must depend fundamentally on the
Democratic organizations and voters In
the New York group of States, among
whom ProgTeSsives count but lightly.
Similarly. Gov. Roosevelt in aiming for
the nomination must depend chiefly
upon another issue. prohibition. which
issue the Progressive conference formal
ly tabooed.
The Progressive desire to have Frank
lin Roosevelt in the White House is in
Epired almost wholly by his attitude on
the power question. Power is the issue
which the ProeTessives, and especially
their leader, Senator Norris Of Me-
braska. regard as what Bryan calico
paramount" The Progressives and
Senator Norris deplore the very exist
ence OF any and all issues having to do
with prohibition. Prohibition, Senator
Norris says, is a false issue" "a sham
battle. Prohibition, Senator Norris
claims Is being put forward bY the
Power Trust for the purpose OF hiding
tlie real issue which, as Senator Norris
thetically it would be right dificuit for
Senator Norris TO prove his assertion
that the power companies are deifber-
etely stirring up the prohibition issue
the prohibition issue does not need any
artificial electricity to keep 1t moving. )
Prohibition Out Of Way.
The net Of which is that Gov. Eoose-
$elt. by his fraternizing with the pro-
gressives, helped himself toward the
election without reference to the norni-
nation, for which he must depend upon
other groups). He helped himself to-
ward the election without reference to
The nomination. by taking a position
approved by the Progressives on one
. issue, power, at the same time ignoring
for the moment prohibition. which the
Progressives want kept out Of the way
es an issue.