Evening star., 1934-05-06

are facing a difficult situation tn
hopes for nomination.
The entrance of new and stronger
candidate to help break the political
log-jam and solve the three cornered,
factional fight for the governorship
now being engaged in by Candidates
Martin Luther Davey of Kent. Lieut..
Gov. Charles Sawyer of Cincinnati,
and ex-Lieut. Gov. William G. Pickrel
OF Dayton is possibility that loomed
today in the earnest appeal from
friends of Representative Brooks
Fletcher of Marion that he make a
definite announcement of his can
didacy and authorize his supporters
to circulate nomination petitions in
his behalf.
Has Wide Following.
Many party leaders declare that
because of Representative Fletcher's
recognized ability to wage a for
midable attack through the newspa-
pers and from the platform in the
coming campaign, together with the
fact that he is not identified with
any OF the party trouble-makers,
therefore his candidacy would go a
long way in contributing toward party
harmony and victory at the Fall
election.
During the years which Repre-
sentative Fletcher was engaged in the
editing and publishing of newspa-
pers he addressed lrage groups of
civic, political and business leaders
In every community in Ohio and has
wide personal following among
Democratic and independent voters
in every section of the State who
are anxious 70 support a candidate
for Governor not identified with fac
tlons of any kind, but who is free to
make constructive, businessIke and
effective campaign
Davey, who also served in the Lower
House of Congress, is known to be
Waging his usual letter writing cam
paign, holding political meetings
throughout the State and courting
the voters through a publicity cam
paign to win the independent vote.
Party chiefs realize that Davey is
one Of the strong contenders in the
present contest. He is always re-
garded as dangerous candidate. One
drawback, observers state, is his ac-
tivities In the last presidential cam
paign. Although Davey has stated
from the platform that II would like
to make the government of Ohio
synchronize with Washington" yet he
is reported to have opposed Roosevelt
at the Chicago convention. Whether
this past history will bob up to en-
barrass him seems a matter of con-
lecture.
Pickrel Makes Wide Appeal.
In his letter of announcement sew
eral weeks ago William G. Pickrel,
attorney of Dayton, stated that he
had received "a county Endorsements
for the nomination. Subsequently 1t
has been announced through the press
that two county committees have
Cancelled their Endorsements when
Davey and Sawyer indicated their in
tentions to file. Nevertheless, Pickrel
Is not regarded lightly by party lead
ers. He Is making a wide appeal to
ONO democracy on a campaign that
he would junk the present utility body
OF the State and advocates revision
and regulation of public utilities by
revamping the laws pertaining to the
Public Utilities Commission. In an
active, aggressive campaign Pickrel Is
taking his fight direct to the people
and is making favorable impression
in many communities.
To Lieut.. Gov. Sawyer of Cincinnati
will go, it is conceded, the support of
the White political machine of the
State. Although possessing a pleasing
personality, Sawyer is not credited
generally with the platform appeal
that is being made by Pickrel, Davey
or would be waged by the dynamic
Fletcher. However, the enthusiasm
for Sawyer in his home county and
city Of Cincinnati is having an ener-
gizing effect on the State organiza-
ton, and there are those who predict
he can not be crowded out in a field
OF three or more candidates. Just
what the label as an administration
candidate will mean is a matter that
will apparently decide his fate in
the primary, it Is freely stated among
party chiefs.
Following the conference between
State Chairman Carl Watson and
Senator Bulkley in Washington, these
party leaders declared that they were
absolutely neutral in both the guber-
material and the senatorial primary
race, and on this premise party lead
erS will wisely cast about for the
strongest candidate, since Democratic
nomination this year is conceded to
mean election.
With Senator Simeon D. Fess prac-
tically unopposed for renomiration on
the Republican ticket and political
strategists declaring that he is facing
Q losing fight to retain his seat be-
cause of the popularity of the Admin
tstration in Ohio, a lively three-cor-
nered fight for the Democratic NOM
ination for Senator has developed in
the State, with present Gov. George
White, ex-Gox. Vic Donahey, and
Representative at Large Charles w.
Truax putting on the show.
Gov. White Is conceded to have at
his command one of the most power
full political machines ever assembled
in Ohio, from which it is understood
his support will largely come.
Donahey Gave Truax Start.
Ex-Gov. Vic Donahey, one of the
most popular Governors ever to oc-
cupy the post, will have the backing
of many personal friends and former
State appointees as well as the back
ing Of many business men and farm
ers, a survey of the situation shows.
Donaheys personal following is well
known to be tremendous asset.
On the other hand, there is Rep
resentative at Large Charles v. Truax.
Practically unknown before Donahey s
election as Governor. Truax was given
his start by Donahey in the post of
State director of agriculture, but now
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