Evening star., 1934-07-26
i'm REED THREAT
IN MISSOURI RACE
S ACE oPcW eoR BUSINESS eR)DAX|
Veteran Former Senator
Seen Ready to Run as
Independent.
BY JAY 6. HAYDEN.


range from 100 to lOs in the shade,
the old Roman" has gone fishing
There are rumors, however, that after
the primary election on August 7
he viii look the situation over and, II
1t is 10 his liking may announce his
candidacy as an independent Jeffer-
sonian Democrat for the general elec-
ton in November.
There is no doubt that the appear
ance of Reed once more would cause
the regular party nominees. both
Democrat and Republican. TO quake
In their boots. There is nothing at
which he more delights or excels than
in smashing political idols, and in
some respects the set-up in Missouri
this year seems ideally fitted to his
hand.
Swats nj New Deal.
Senator Reed, for example already
has taken some healthy swats at the
Washington brain-truSters. He also
has unleashed his oratorical sarcasm
against the business interferences of
Gen. Hugh s. johnson and his N r. A.
and against the defiances of the laws
OF nature in the A. A. A. program
OF crop reduction. There Is a gen.
eral impression hereabouts that he
could win large elements of support
among the voters If he set up sys-
tematieally to corral the discontented.
One finds also great many people
who believe that Reeds sharp and
gifted tongue, operating once more
from a senatorial rostrum, would
prove Just the sort of check that Is
needed at Washington.
Aside from Reeds prospective
candidacy. there isn't much to get ex-
cited about in the Missouri senatorial
contest. Senator Roscoe c. Patterson,
the Republican incumbent, is un-
opposed for denomination, chiefly, it
appears, because the chance of any
Republican winning in a Statewide
contest this year is regarded as ex-
ceedingly slim. The Literary Digest
poll showed 38. 999 in favor of the
Roosevelt policies to 22,754 against, a
substantial gain for the Democrats
even over the huge plurality they
rolled up in 1882. A certain effect of
be TO cut heavily into the Republican
vote, particularly in St. Louis and
Kansas City. and thus to end any
possible chance of Patterson's re-
election.
Fight for New Deal.
The three Democratic candidates,
as it appears. all have taken their cue
from the Digest poll. In the words of
Representative Joe Shannon OF Kan
sas City, they are not only hanging
on to President Roosevelts coat tails
but they are reaching for his shirt. "
Each of them is pledging undying
devotion to the new deal.
As between the three, the issue is
strictly matter of geography and
personality. Judge Harry S. Truman
Of Kansas City is a county commits
sioner and not in fact a judge. He is
not even q lawyer. His candidacy
arises solely from the fact that he was
picked for 1t by Tom Pendergast, the
boss of Kansas City and also a power
in the State Democratic organization
since he was successful in electlng
Guy ID, Ta4A w sAAS ~
1892.
Truman. 1t is conceded, will receive
an enormous plurality in Kansas City
and the fact that he also has the
support of the Governor places him in
a formidable position.
John j, Cochran similarly is con-
ceded the overwhelming advantage IN
St Louis, where his friends say he
will receive 100000 votes. A member
of Congress, he formerly served as sec
retary to both Senator William j.
(Gumshoe Bill) Stone and Senator
Harry B. Hawes and in these capac-
tiles acquired a wide acquaintance
throughout the State. He is gener-
ally popular and st. Louis is fond OF
him, but he lacks organization support
outside of that city.
Senator Clark's Choice.
i'll. (Tuck) Milligan of Richmond
also is a present Representative. He is
the handpicked choice of Senator
Bennett Champ Clark, who is largely
carrying on the campaign in his be-
half.
Milligan's professions of support for
the new deal are somewhat dimmec
by the fact that Clark, in the Sen
ate, has voted quite consistently
against the Presidents legislative pro-
posals. Also he is lacking any such
definite block of votes as Truman viii
receive in Kansas City and Cochran
IN ST. Louis. His chance appears tC
lie in the fact that he is the only
outstate candidate. He is attempting
to rally the rural voter against Tru-
man and Cochran on the ground that
these men are city slickers.
Truman and Cochran, sure of theil
home support, are making their whole
carry the battle to Milligan's ter
ritory.
Ii there is any real issue in The
campaign it is Tom PendergaSt. Thi;
pudgy Kansas City boss has made
himself steadily increasing power
in the State and there is a large
group of citizens who would like tC
see him checkmated. Both Cochran
and Milligan are shooting at Pender-
SaSt III t1lClI campaign SpSSGIleS- L HeA
are charging that Truman's candi.
| dacy is being financed by assessment
of city and State Office holders.
The campaign, taken as a whole
has been largely one of petty bicker,
ing between three Democratic candi.
dates. all of whom profess TO support
the same policies. Senator Patterson
on the Republican side, is even mor'
colorleSS, and it is in this situation
that local observers see the opportu
nifty for James A. Reed.
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