Evening star., 1934-08-30
The Political Mill
By G, Could Lincoln.

1nTee COURSES SecIIlcQ OOuhy W bS
open to the national Democratic lead
ers in connection with Upton Sinclair,
newly nominated Democratic candi-
date for Governor of California. They
can repudiate Sinclair and all his
socialiStic program. They can en-
brace him and accept him as one OF
the old party and Of the new deal.
Or they can seek to keep q hands-off
position in the California struggle.
President Roosevelt himself has ap-
parently already adopted the third
! and last course mentioned. In answer
to request by Sinclair for an inter-
view with the President, the PreSi-
dents secretary has telegraphed the
Democratic nominee for Governor
that the President will see him pro-
vided he does not talk politics or
about his campaign for the governor
ship. That seems to indicate kind
of hands-of policy on the part Of the
President-an effort not to mix up
the new deal too firmly, for the pres
ent at least, with the epic-end pow
erty in California-program of Mr..
Sinclair. Just what the Californian
will have to discuss with the Presi-
dent, outside of politics and his epic
program, is question.
y y
Some Of the more conservative
Democrats here would like to have
the President repudiate Mr. Sinclair
and his Socialistic program without
delay. 1t is understood that they have
| told Postmaster General James A.
Farley so, and urged him to take the
matter up with the President. Mr.
Farley, SO far, has been silent on the
Sinclair victory. He expected the VIC
tory, and he also had been told by
Democratic leaders in California that
the Sinclair nomination might jeop-
ardize the entire Democratic slate
there, including the IL Democratic
members of the House, who are seeking
reelection, except, for example, Rep
resentative Lea, who happens to have
both the Republican and Democratic
nominations.
There isn't the slightest doubt that
| the Republicans are pleased because
Sinclair beat George Creel, Roosevelt
and McAdoo supporter, in the pri-
! mary. They regard Sinclair as radi-
cal enough and his program as dis
tasteful enough to align against him
a great many Democrats as well as
Republicans. And they figure that
with Mr.. Sinclair at the head of the
Democratic ticket many Of the Demo
| Gratis for other Offices, including seats
in the House, viii go down to defeat
on election day. One thing seems
| fairly clear. Before the nomination
of Sinclair the chances of the Re
publicans for victory in California
to have given them a chance.
There will be a period Of readjust-
ment following the primary. A lot OF
Democrats in 1882, among them
Mayor Frank Hague of Jersey City
| insisted that President Roosevelt
could not carry an Eastern State if
he were nominated for President
That was prior to the nomination OF
the President. These disgruntled
Democrats crawled on the band
wagon before election day and Roose-
welt carried all but six of the 4s
States of the Union. A lot depends
on how deep seated the resentment
is against Sinclair. He has tried to
make it appear that he and his pro-
gram are really just parts of the
Roosevelt new deal. He has made
it as easy as possible for the Demo-
cratic leaders to embrace him and
all his works. John B. Elliott
stanch McAdoo man. vice chairman
of the Democratic State Committee
! is already out with a statement that
the Sinclair nomination has broken
party lines and that he will support
the best candidates for Office. That
Hooks, at present, like revolt.
What will Senator Hiram johnson
do about the situation in California;
He has just received the Republican
and Democratic nominations for re-
election to the Senate He is pro-
gressive and a new dealer. VIII he
speak a word of commendation fol
Sinclair against the conservative Gov
Frank F. Merriam, the Republican
nominee for Governor? johnson has
been an enthusiastic Roosevelt mar
and new dealer.
Pretty soon the Democratic State
convention will meet and adopt party
platform in California. Will it be the
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