The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-13
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1s, 1882
Strange Bedfellows

Politics makes strange bedfellows. That expression holds good today just as 1t always has. And many Connecticut dem ocrat was muttering the above as be or she read the news item 10 the effect that Homer S. Cummings would lead the drive for nomination of Franklin D. Roosevelt at the democratic national convention in Chicago next June. Eight years ago when MT Roosevelt was doing all in his power to further the cause of Alfred E. Smith at the famous Madison Square Garden convention it was Mir Cummings who prevented the Connecticut delegation Hooking to the Smith standard.
 However, it wasn't opposition to Cover nor Roosevelt then that animated MT Gum mings, but his allegiance to the Mehdoo cause. There is nothing to prevent MT Cummings becoming Roosevelt ally in I932, but if that alliance should by some fate or design also include Mir Smith at convention time. it would provide much food for frequent newspaper comment. It was shortly after the Madison Square Gar den fiasco that Mir Cummings retired from active participation in state or national poIi- t1CB. TIC TebiRUeu HlS pCoL CD Hac'h"' SN'' mitteeman and only on rare occasions could he be found min2ling in political gatherings
 It must be, though. that Mr Cummings was not as inactive as many thought If ne was the Roosevelt packers would not have invited him to that Washington conference this week at which were present many not abes in democratic circles It Is reliably reported that Mir Cummings met with Sem ators Wheeler of Montana Dill of WaSh- ngton, Hull of Tennessee, Daniel C. Roper former Internal Revenue Commissioner and Huston Thompson. Incidentally 1t was quite d Wilson gathering as all tbe above named. including Mr Cumming were and probably still are faithful to the tenets of the war president.
 Again some puzzlement exists that MT Cummings would align himself with Gov crnor Roosevelt in preference 10. say, New ion D. Baker. True Roosevelt was assist ant secretary of tbe navy in the Wilson re- zine. but Baker was more of an outstand~ ing figure as the war secretary. Both Baker and Roosevelt have shunted the League Of Nations issue and this must be stomaehed by Mr Cummings although he may per- sonaly feel as they do. Jbere is one thing certain now. That is tbe fact that the Spellacy. Fitzgerald faction in Connecticut will have 10 choose between Roosevelt and Smith. It has seemed to be the coneensus that Smith was the choice of the old regime az represented by former State Chairman Walsh of Meriden. If there was ever any hope of bringing together again that famous triumvirate of Cummings Spellaey. and Fitzgerald. it seems doomed on such basis.
 Of course. Mr Cummings may know more now. since bis Washington conference. of the state of political affairs between Smith and Roosevelt. All along we have not paid much attention 10 the attempts to make them. deadly enemies. ] heir dh- ferenees are not 50 serious az to comprise breach that either night not vault with ease Smiths recent declaration cannot be con- arued as d death blow 10 any chance ot him supporting Roosevelt, And we might yet come 10 see the day when Homer Cum mings and Alfred F. Smith will be labor ing side by side to nominate the same candidate Politics makes strange bed fellows.