Evening star., 1934-05-07
The Political Mill
By G. Could Ltnccln.

Not for years has there been such
a scramble for Democratic nomina-
tions for Congress. The answer, Of
course, Is the belief on the part of
many that this IL TO be o Democratic
year. Take, for example, the situa-
ton In Pennsylvania, rock-ribbed Re-
publican stronghold, where a Demo-
cratic nomination-outside Of q few
districts-has been usually about as
valuable as o Republican nonina-
ton In Alabama. Today there is a
brisk struggle under way Tor the
senatorial and gubernatorial nomina-
tions In the Democratic camp. Joseph
E. Guf1ey. Democratic national COM
mitteeman, an ardent Roosevelt sup
porter in 1892 and since, is q can
didate for the senatorial nomination,
and against him is running an old
Wilson Democrat, Roland 8. Morris,
who was once Ambassador to Japan.
They are waging desperate tight to
determine which shall be the party
nominee to run next November against
either Senator David A. Reed or Gov.
Clifford Pinchot, the Republicans who
are fighting Just as hard for the
@. o. p. nomination. The Penn
sylvania primaries take place . week
from tomorrow.
The struggle for Democratic NOM
nations this year is by no means
confined to Pennsylvania, but has
been going on in other States usually
regarded as safely Republican. In
Ohio, in Michigan, in Indiana, in
Wisconsin, in Nebraska and in West
Virginia the Democrats are split wide
open in their contests for guberna-
torial and congressional nominations.
In the Buckeye State, where Senator
Fess must seek reelection this year,
Gov. White, former Gov. Honest"
Vic Donahey and Representative
Truax are all campaigning for the
Democratic senatorial nomination. It
would almost seem as though Gov.
White should have the advantage In
this contest. However, Donahey was
a great vote getter in the past and
is no mean opponent for the Gov
ernor. Senator Fess has been out In
the State over the week end, seeing
to it that his papers for nomination
are all in order. So far 1t has ap-
peared that the veteran Senator would
obtain the nomination without din
Guilty, although there has been talk
of several candidates who might op-
pose him, one of them Robert Taft
of Cincinnati. son of the late Presi-
dent and Chief Justice Taft. The
noyr,nrruta hauA fAlLiro tnk
about electing q successor to Senator
Fess this year. But whether they
will be able to do 30 is another mat
ter entirely. Ohio has been pre-
ponderantly Republican in the past
and the G. o. p. has by no means
given up hope Of carrying the State
this year.
Ohio and West virginia are two Of
the States in which the Democrats
say they have q real chance Of pick
ing up additional senatorial seats to
help President Roosevelt carry on
with his recovery program. Senator
Hatfield is the Republican who must
seek reelection in West Virginia next
Fall. Two Democrats have an
nounced for the Senate nomination,
j. Alfred Taylor and Graham Sale,
and there are others who are dabbling
their toes in the senatorial pond. SEN
ator Hatfield looks to be sure Of re-
nomination by the Republicans.
In Indiana Senator Arthur Robin
son, Republican. is expected to win
denomination. but just who will be his
Democratic opponent is not so clear.
r. Earl Peters, who was Democratic
State chairman in 1892 and fo- sew
eral years prior thereto, Is an active
candidate for the senatorial nomi-
nation. He has half a dozen oppo-
nents, however. Gov. Charles Bryan
OF Nebraska, who was nominated in
1924 to run for Vice President on the
national Democratic ticket with John
w. Davis. has announced his candi-
dacy for the Senate. His old friend,
Senator Thompson. whom he ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy caused by
the death Of the late Senator Howell
Republican. Is stepping aside, as Il
was predicted he would do, so that
the Governor can make the race. The
Democrats are not entirely harmoni-
Gus IN Nebraska, however. Arthur w,
Mullen. for years Democratic national
committeeman for the State, q Job
which he gave up only recently when
the President turned thumbs down on
the politico-lawyers of the National
Committee, who were reaping O har-
vest practicing their profession in
Washington, Is no lover of Mr.. BRYAN.
1t Is said that he may enter the lists
for the senatorial nomination against
Bryan and that if he does the fur
will fly. Bryan has been no parttcu-
lar friend Of the Roosevelt adminis-
tration, has been critical of many OF
the things which the President has
done. Mullen, on the other hand,
has been a devoted follower of the
President and was his floor manager
at the Democratic National Conven.
ton in Chicago two years ago.
With all these contests going on in
the ranks of the Democrats, the Re-
publicans might be considered in good
position to win in many of the States
II 1t were not for the fact that the
Republicans have been rather dased
Tor the last year or two and not sure
just where they were going. A lot Is
going to depend next November on
how popular the new deal Is at that
time. The Democrats are counting on
the popularity Of the President to help
them through the coming elections,
But how Gov. Bryan, for example, il
to be aided BY the Roosevelt popu.
larfty it Is difficult to see. Senator
George Norris, the Republican pro-
gressive from that State, who sup
ported President Roosevelt In 1892 and
has continued to support him in the
present Congress, has been regarded
As friendly to Gov Bryan in the past
Whether his affection for the Presi-
dent will turn Norris against Gov
Bryan in the coming senatorial cam
paign remains to be seen. Arthur
Mullen has not been considered q pro-
gressive, according to the Norris
standard. while Bryan has been dis
tinctly progressive
r r. 4 X