Evening star., 1932-04-03
BY GEORGE VAN SLYKE.

made its exit with a great political roar
resounding through the Nation TO an
accompaniment of partisan discord and
the low growing of the Tammany
Tiger. The tense activity Of the clos
ing DAYS of the month in the National
Capita! and through the States brings
the e-convention presidential cam
paign to the critical stage expected to
be reached in Aprils numerous con-
tests
Partisan gain and loss accrue from
the great balancing act put on in the
tussle with the budget in the House of
Representatives. Republicans see the
Democrats losing caste by their revolt;
the Democrats believe they have re-
trieved their losses. President Hoover's
stand against the soldier bonus at the
crucial moment in the tax fight in Con-
gress is believed to have strengthened
his position by his assertion Of leader
ship, for which the country now Graves
4
1t is too early to appraise fully the
political results of this tempestuous and
spectacular tax upheaval in Congress.
The thing isn't done yet. The Demo-
Gratis have had their troubles with their
slim majority in the House. Now the
Republicans in the Senate have their
turn There has developed in the
House a new insurgency on the Demo-
cratic side similar to the Republican
insurgency of long standing in the SEN
ate. That may mean further trouble in
the future. 1t is recognized that the
struggle in Congress over finances is
providing a big campaign issue more
important to the parties than its effect
on the Democratic candidates..
Sneaker Garner did make brave
effort to rally his scattered forces and
assert real leadership. He succeeded in
restoring order, but whether he made
headway in reviving his own presiden-
tial boom, badly debated by the House
debacle, is argued pro and con in all
political circles. He has lost much and
gained back part, in the common
opinion.
Attention was diverted from Congress
for day by the appearances OF John F.
Curry Tammany boss, in the Washing
ton arena with yelled threat to hold
off New York's support from Gov.
Franklin D. Roosevelt pending further
developments. He evidently chose the
Capital City for the scene Of his state
ment to give notice to the democracy
of the Nation that New York is not yet
bound to its Governor, who cleaned up
everything in sight in the March pri-
maries.
That statement also sent thrill
through the New York Democracy and
at once aroused wide discussion in the
big Eastern States as to whether Roose-
welt can be nominated over the opposi-
ton Of Tammany. His friends believe
be can. His enthusiastic hackers OF the
mr. mo n
East, are urging that he would be
stronger II he were to defy Tammany.
They like to recall that Grover Cleve-
land won after defying Tammany.
And in New York there is a debate
of large dimensions on the question of
Tammany's ability to throw all OF New
New Yorks 94 delegates against Roose-
welt. In showdown his hackers claim
they can control from 80 to 40 dele
gates. The delegation is elected in a
primary next Tuesday and can not be
voted as unit, as Mr.. Curry intimated
in his Washington interview might be
done.
Gov Roosevelt may be in position
in 1892 of profitlng by the victory he
won in 1920 over Tammany in the
National Convention in San Francisco.
Charles F, Murphy was boss of New
York and gave the States vote to Alfred
E. Smith. Roosevelt seconded Smiths
nomination and stuck with Murphy for
nearly score of ballots.
Then the break came and Murphy
wanted to deliver the State to James
M Cox. Roosevelt and George r. Lunn,
row New York public service commits
sioner, led an insurgent revolt against
RnhinCnn
was chairman of the convention and
insisted the young insurgents be heard.
Lunn and Roosevelt contended that
where delegates are elected in State
wide primary they can not be voted
against their will as a unit. The con-
vention upheld Roosevelt New York
gave 10 votes to Cox and 20 to McAdoo.
That same ruling has held ever since
in two National Conventions and
through many tests 1t still is the
Democratic rule. Tammany may con-
troll a majority of the States delegates,
but Roosevelt can get some delegates
from the upstate districts.
Offsetting Curry's statement Gov.
Roosevelt in caustic terms turned down
the plea made by two New York
clergymen for the removal of Tam
manyallied officials in Brooklyn and
Queens Boroughs and in so doing ap-
peared to stand by the organization
while denouncing roundly all political
graft and corruption. Just what effect
that attitude will have on his candi-
dacy is yet to be determined.
On the Democratic side, Roosevelt
continues to hold the center of the.
stage. All activities revolve around
him. Unquestionably he made big
gains in March. He made clean sweep
In the several primary tests and goes
into the April series with l2s pledged
delegates.
In the closing days of March Roose-
welt scored in Iowa and Maine. getting
instructed delegations from both States
The biggest boost to the New York
candidate, however, came In Washing
ton this week when Senator Alben w
5arkley OF Kentucky, and Senator
Robinson of Arkansas, withdrew as
a asrCrita randidatar