The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-04-03
Z TEXANS WAGE
BITTER CONTEST
IN SENATE RACE
Tom ConnaIIy Opposed by
Joseph w. Bailey,
House Member.

By Scripps-Hoiodrd Newspaper Alliance
WASHINGTON, April 3.-Last
week proved extremely hard on
congressman who have to run for
reelection in the fall. They had to
decide which meant more to their
political futureS-voting for veteran
appropriations or standing with the
President in his veto Of the veterans
bill.
In the Texas delegation the prob
lem has been particularly acute, for
in that group are two men who
aspire to the United States senate
and who for days have been carry
ing on a battle of wits, each trying
to seem closer to the President than
the other. The two are Senator Tom
Connally who is running for re-elec-
ton and Representative Joseph
Weldon Bailey who wants to sup
plant him.
Some weeks ago a Washington
reporter wrote for his Texas papers
that administration support for Sem
ator Connally seemed almost GER
tain since Mr.. Connally had gone
along pretty we'll with the admins
tration's legislative program and
since he is, in addition, close friend
of Vice-President John Garner
whom he nominated at the Chicago
convention.
Farley States Position
No sooner had the story been
printed than friends of Representa-
tive Bailey became active in Wash
ington with the result that Post
master General Jim Farley, in his
capacity as chairman of the Demo-
cratic national committee, issued a
declaration that the national COM
mittee would keep hands off in all
Democratic primaries.
This contented Mr.. Bailey and his
friends until a few days later
another newspaper man wrote
another story for another group of
Texas papers saying again that
Washington expected the adminis-
tration to help Mr.. Connally
through Vice-President John Gar
ner.
This time Mr. Bailey went to the
White House. One does not quote
the President after an interview, but
no secret was made of the fact that
the representative felt certain the
President would adopt a strictly
neutral attitude in all Democratic
primaries. He radiated confidence
and contentment.
Finally a reporter asked Vice
President Garner directly whom he
would support in the Texas Sena-
torial race.
st." said the Vice. President, "am
going to vote for Senator Tom Con-
nally."
Garner Speaks for Himself
He added that he was speaking
for himself alone, was not speaking
for the President and had never
presumed to do so.
Senator Connally was obviously
pleased with the first part of the
statement. Representative Bailey
was pleased with the second part
Senator Connally refused comment.
Representative Bailey said: "Nr.
Garner has explained to me that
he committed himself to vote for
Senator Connally last March and ]
understand the situation perfectly
In the midst of this race for re-
f1ected rays from the sun of Roose-
velt popularity the veterans issue
arose. Representative Bailey, forced
to choose quickly, decided to gam
BILE on the veterans and cast his
vote to override the Presidents
veto. A day later Senator Connally
in the same position. cast his lot
with the President. Which seems
to make the Texas senatorial race,
from this point on, one of the most
interesting in the country.