Evening star., 1934-11-16
Coalition GoVernment-If!

Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg of
Michigan, one of the handful of Re-
publican Senators who weathered the
political storm of 1884, is past mas
ter at mixing the bitter and the sweet.
He returns to Washington and sug-
gests that there should be virtually a
coalition Government to aid in stamp
ing out the depression. This has a
pleasant sound for Democratic and
New Deal ears. But in a second
breath the Michigan Senator declares
that as long as Postmaster General
Farley continues to be Chairman Far
ley Of the Democratic National Com
mittee, and as long as he continues
to be clearing house to fill all jobs,
coalition is practically impossible. 1t
Is the Vandenberg contention that if
there is to be coalition Government,
at least some of the coalescents
as well as legislative Offices.
Postmaster General Farley has been
the subject of attack because of his
dual position for year or more.
But having brought home the 1884
bacon, it looks as though Mr..
Farley was more strongly intrenched
than ever. Senator Vandenberg re-
calls clause in the criminal code
that makes it unlawful for an officer
OF the Federal Government to solicit
contributions for a political purpose
from other officers, employees or per-
sons connected with the Government,
and seeks to make it apply in the case
Of Farley, who has recently called for
S500000 to wipe out the old Demo-
cratic deficit. But can he make this
suggestion stick? The Postmaster
General and his green ink, unless
there is wish on the part of the
President to relieve Farley of his job
as National Chairman, are likely to
continue diffusing encouragement to
Democrats all over the country along
with jobs.
The bitter-enders against the
Roosevelt New Deal will not be par
ticularly pleased with Senator VAN
denberg's coalition suggestion. They
are anxious to build up a strong and
bitter opposition to the New Deal
Along comes the Michigan Senator,
regarded now as one Of the white
hopes" of the Republican party, with
a statement that this is no time to
talk politics and that he is more
interested in the welfare OF the
country than in the welfare Of the
G. o. P. How, the bitter renders ask,
Is it possible to make headway against
the Democrats and the New Deal with
any such campaign as that?
Senator Vandenberg may reply that
he followed just such a course in
Michigan during the recent primary
and was reelected by $4,000 votes
over his one hundred per cent New
Deal and Roosevelt Democratic oppo-
nent, Frank Picard. Having won so
handily, when Senator Reed of Penn
sylvania, Senator Fess of Ohio and
Senator Robinson of Indiana, violent
opponents of the New Deal, were be-
ing slaughtered at the polls, it is not
strange that the Michigan Senator
should cling to his position. In the
end it may get him no further than
pleasant relationship with the New
Dealers. There is always the chance,
however, that if the people sicken of
the Democratic New Deal they may
turn to the Republican brand. And
there, of course, would be Senator
Vandenberg, in a strategic position.
The Michigan Senator scouts the
suggestion that the Republican party
is dead. He calls attention to the
fact that the Republican candidates
as whole this year received nearly
As per cent of the total vote, COM
pared with Al per cent in 1882. And he
adds that in 1928 the Democrats had
only AZ per cent of the total vote;
in 1924 35 per cent, and in 1920, So
per cent. Down at the ground roots
the sap still runs strong in the
G. o. P. 1t needs to do a little flow-
ering at the top.
Ia.z