Evening star., 1932-02-22
The Political Mill
By C.. Could Lincoln.

Nobody can dictate to the Demo-
cratic group in Congress" says Speaker
John Garner Of the House in state
ment issued today through the press
bureau of the Democratic National
Committee. Mr.. Garner himself comes
nearer to telling the Democratic House
what to do than any other Democrat
has been able to do for years. And
what he has told the Democrats up to
the present time has been both sensible
and constructive. Indeed, the manner
In which the House has conducted itself
under the Garner leadership, for that
is what it amounts to. has won praise
in many places and from many per-
sons. After an outburst Of political
talk following the opening Of the ses-
sion, the Democrats settled down and
put legislation through that has been
needed. But now there seems TO be
an inclination to get back to politics
The Democrats are irritated because
Republican speakers claim credit for
the relief legislation which has passed
or is on its way through the Congress
So they have started telling the world
Just what they think about the Presi-
dent and the Republican party all over
again. II they would take it for grant
ed that the world l:nows what they
think OF the Republicans and the
President, there would be lot of time
saved.
As long as the Democrats do not
permit their irritability to get the bet
ter of their common sense and do not
- rtolr 70 ed oh 81 h-
cause 1t Is recommended by the Re-
publican President, although it is nee.
essary legislation. the country will
Democratic clamors. But If they, the
Democrats. begin throwing monkey
Wrenches into the machinery Just be-
cause the Republicans are seeking to
direct the operation. they are likely to
loose caste with the country. The job
Of the Democrats is to travel along on
an even keel Barring stupid mistakes
in Congress bv the Democratic leader
ship and cut-throat competition among
the Democrats seeking the presidential
nomination, the Democrats stand a
good chance to win the national cleo
tion.
Speaker Garn avs own boom for the
presidential r r-ninaticn continues on the
upg. ade His Cwl friends are working
for him. not to mention many Demo-
Gratis who care more fer defeating Gov
Franklin D. Roosevelt than they do f1r
Mr.. Garner. So far the Speaker has
said nothing about his candidacy. He
is letting nature take its course But
sooner or later he will have to come
out into the open along with the rest
Cf the candidates. Thee is a big Gar
ner meeting of Democrats in Tex to-
day Furthermore. there are lot OF
Democrats. both drys and vets, who
want to know just where the Speaker
Of the House stands on national prohi-
biticn. He voted against the resolu-
ton proposing the eighteenth amend
ment when It was before the House
some IS years ago. At that time il
wss supposed his opposition to the pro-
hibition amerdment was because he
believed prohibit on was State affair
and should be left to the States II they
wanted to adopt it. Later he voted for
the passage OF the Volstesd act and
other dry enforcement legislation. Now
the drys want to know whether Mr.
Garner is for the continuance of ma
tioral prohibition or against its cor
tinuance, and the vets are equally
anxious to know where he stands The
Speake already is receiving communi-
cations frcm 0rys asking just how he
stancs. He has plenty of courage anc
doubtless viii tell them. The Demo
will not this wear nominate dry candi.
date for President Or if they do they
are likely to have hard time electins
him. 1t would be difficult for example
10 get Democrats of Ms chuSetts New
York. New jersey, T,in"is ard man,
other States to go along unitodlr. with
dry Demoo:atic presidential nominee
unless they vert a'ong against him.
Some Of Mr Gamers friends in Texa.
have been disturbed because he ha:
refra.ned from saying anything abou
his presidential candidacy. They ar,
afraid that the people back home vii
not take It seriously. Indeed. they ar,
reporting that the supporters of Roose
vel. in Texas and of Alfalfa Bill
Murray are urging the people to sene
not Garner delegation to the ma.
tional convention. but a delega tior
which will support a man who is really
a candidate. Senator Tom Connally o.
Texas. who Joined with Senator Morri
Sheppard his colleague, in a state
ment asserting that Texas Democrat!
would send delegation to the con.
vention instructed for Garner. has sen
a telegram to Jesse NJ. Brown of For
Worth. Tex. seeking to explain tn,
situation. He said in the telegram:
While John Garner is not candi
date in the common acceptation Of tha
term. but is busy with his duties a!
Speaker, no American citizen Is in
sensible to the efforts of his friends IL
advancing his cause toward the presi
dency Of the United States
"On my own responsibility. I fee
warranted in assuring you that tn,
not be unwelcome to those Of US VII,
are advancing his cause"
There are other candidates for tn
Democratic nomination who are becom
ing more and more active For exam
pile Gov Albert c. Ritchie of Mary
land is speaking in all parts of tn
country. Some of his most recen
speaking engagements have besn IL
Kentucky and in Detroit. Mich Ritchi
is by no means out Of the picture. /
there is a real contest for the nomina
ton III the convention ana ueaQlOcl
ensues the Maryland Governor vii
have a real chance. The Ritchie peO
Pile have been at work on the situation
in many parts of the country for eigh
years. Many of them believe that thi
is TO be Ritchie's year. They insis
that If he could be nominated he coult
be elected without difficulty.
*+**
Alfalfa Bill" Murray is out after tn
nomination hot foot Not only has h
challenged Gov. RooSevelt's claim to tn
North Dakota delegation, but he Is go
ing into Georgia, which generally ha
been conceded to Roosevelt for a lon
time. The Murray campaigners insis
that in the present hard times tn
Governor of Oklahoma will make NOR
; of an appeal to the rank and file of tn
voters than will Roosevelt, Ne,
Yorker and held by many to be a mem
Der Of the upper crust" silk stock
ing. A few weeks is likely to show jus
how much stock the people really tax
in candidacy such as that Of "Alfalf
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