Evening star., 1933-11-27

AL Smiths anti administration bomb
shell Is destined to reverberate through
the political skies for some time to
come and doubtless will echo into the
coming session Of Congress Few au-
thoritieS at present expect the Cover
nor'S attack on the Roosevelt monetary
program to ramify into anything SO
formidable as a rift in the Democratic
party. Although Smith has large
personal following of friends and ad-
mirers Throughout the country, they
are hardly numerous CT strong enough
anywhere to attempt with prospect Of
success a revolt against the organiza-
ton. either locally or nationally. The
Democratic rank and file. as we'll as
leaders, are still. broadly speaking,
thoroughly loyal to the President and
his policies. even though not universally
in agreement with certain features of
them, while e few leaders here and
there, including United States Senator's,
are sore over patronage matters. Speaker
Rainey. who knows Democratic senti-
nent in and out of Congress about as
well as any man in the country. is
thought pretty accurately to diagnose
the Smith "heresy" in describing 1t as
"regrettable, but not alarming" and
asserting that the party procession will
move along whether Al keeps step with
it or net.
If Smith could not "stop" F. D. r. at
Chicago in 1882. it does not strike most
politicians likely that he can do it
today, with Mr.. Roosevelt's vastly
enhanced prestige as President Of the
United States. The Governors show
ing in the national convention was not
impressive. He has retained his old
friendships ard doubtless formed new
ones in the intervening year and a hail.
but only Smith super-idolators think
his present status is such that he could
aspire to undermine the strength ana
popularity of Mr.. Roosevelt OF course,
if the administration money program
should go to smash and produce dis
aster, the Governor might sail into
party favor on the "I-told-you-so"
theory, but at this writing no Demo-
Gratis Of importance contemplate such
likelihood. The Smith onslaught
loses a bit of its force, in light OF the
Governors ancient grudge against the
President and the consequent suspicion
in some quarters that his motives on
the current occasion may not be 1OO
per cent disinterested. Republicans
view the possibility of Democratic strife
with unco.cealed joy.
K !. X X
While the monster New York testi-
monial banquet in honor of Mr.. Lit
vinof was going on at the Waldorf
Astoria the other night, Representative
Hamilton Fish. jr., archfoe of Russian
recognition, was attending the dinner
at which members Of the Harvard 1908
foot ball team annually celebrate its
famous 4-to-0 victory over Yale. The
statuesque New Yorker played right
tackle on the Crimson eleven. To COM
,nemorate this years tWenty-flfth ami
versary. members of the Yale 1908
team were invited to be present. Next
day both the old groups went in body
to Boston for the contest, from which
Harvard again emerged victorious.
Representative Fish was foot ball
captain in his last year at Cambridge,
whence he was graduated with a cum
laude degree in three years.
It's a long time since three great eX-
ecutive departments of the Government
were simultaneously run by acting
heads, as at present, owing to absence
of their respective chiefs from Wash
ington. Secretary Of State Hull is In
South America, Secretary of the Treas
ury Woodin is on indefinite leave OF
absence and Postmaster General Farley
is on the Atlantic bound for Europe.
While President Roosevelt is in Georgia
the next ranking member of his official
hou. hold, Secretary of War Dern, pre-
sides over cabinet meetings.
X 4 X
Senator designate Ernest w. Gibson,
Republican. of Vermont, joins the ever
growing list of House Of Representatives
alumni to be elevated to the upper
branch of Congress. The new Senator
from the Green Mountain State, who
has just completed ten successive years
u the fIouSe, viii find. a large group in