Evening star., 1934-04-15
FEUD IN NEBRASKA
THREATENS PARTY
Administration or National Committee
Intercession Needed to Prevent
Hopeless Democratic Split.

Democratic camps. A year ago the
fight reached an anti-climax when,
upon the death of Senator r. B.
Howell, Gov. Bryan prolonged filling
the vacancy for nearly three months.
At the time Of Howell's death Gov.
Bryan was seriously i'll, and gossip
within the State was that Bryan
wanted to appoint himself Senator
and delayed filling the vacancy in
hopes that he would recover suffi-
GENTLY to accept the toga himself.
Appointment Stirs War.
Friends Of the late former Senator
Gilbert M. Hitchcock felt that he
should have been appointed to the
vacancy, which had only a year to
run. When Gov. Bryan appointed w.
H. Thompson, Grand Island attorney,
to the vacancy, the anti-Bryanites de-
clared an open war. Senator Hitch
cocks Omaha World-Herald has been
one Of the Governors bitterest critics.
A few weeks ago Bryan announced
that he would file for the Senate, and
Immediately Senator Thompson an
nounced that he would not be a can
didate, but would support the Gov
ernor.
Recently Arthur Mullen, until a few
weeks ago national committee chair
man OF Nebraska and also vice chair
man Of the National Democratic Com
mlttee and floor manager for Presi-
dent Roosevelt at the Chicago con-
Ventlon, announced that he had made
survey Of Nebraska and was con-
vinced that the anti-Bryan sentiment
was so strong that Bryan could not be
elected, and that if a formidable can
dldate would not oppose Bryan in the
primaries he would file himself.
Mullen is perhaps the most colorful
hgure In Western politics. and a bat
tie between Mullen and Bryan forces
would attract Nationwide attention.
Announcement by Burke.
Meanwhile, Representative Edward
R. Burke, a staunch supporter Of
President Roosevelt and one Of the
IS Congress members who have voted
with the administration on its entire
program, has announced that he would
probably be candidate this year for
the Senate, regardless of the Bryan
Mullen feud. The Omaha Repre-
sentative is regarded as a strong can
didate because OF his record. His
principal handicap is that he Is
poor man.
A fourth candidate on the Demo-
cratic side is Representative John
Moorehead. seven time Democratic
Representative and former Governor
OF Nebraska. Moorehead has the
finances and has an excellent record,
and in this fOur-cornered race polit-
ical students forecast that anything
might happen"
A movement is under way now to
divide the field into Bryan and anti
Bryan slate, with Representative Z. R.
Burke being the nominee of the anti
Bryan group. Under the plan Moore
head would withdraw and again be a
candidate for Congress. Mullen would
withdraw and continue his lucrative
law practice in Washington.
Sponsors of the compromise are
pointing out to Mullen that if the
political highway is clear so that the
group will center support
on one candidate, and if this candi-
date is Representative Burke. the out
look is favorable for Burke to be
nominated. The Omaha World-Her-
aid Is friendly to the Burke candi-
dacy, as Is the Democratic Lincoln
Star and the Progressive Republican
tne Grand Island Independent.