Evening star., 1934-08-30
Roosevelt Anxious to Avoid
Endorsement of Nominee
or Rebuff.
BELIEVED INTERESTED
IN GAUGING CANDIDATE
Executive to Attend Celebration
in His Honor by Home Town
Conservative Democrats.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG,
Staff Correspondent of The Star.

STAFF Correspondent Of The Star.
HYDE PARK, N. Y, August 30
President Roosevelt today is watching
with intense interest the reaction to
the announcement made here that
he would receive Upton Sinclair,
Democratic nominee for Governor Of
California, provided Mr.. Sinclair does
not discuss politics and his campaign
and that their conversation be con-
fined to business.
There is no mistaking the fact
that Mr.. Roosevelt, who has been
following a policy Of keeping hands
of party contests, was greatly con-
cerned about the possibility of mis-
Interpretation of his attitude to Mr..
Sinclair's telegram, requesting an in
terview with him. He did not want
to give the impression by receiving
Sinclair, who once wore the Socialist
label, but now Is Democratic
gubernatorial candidate, that he was
indorsing the latter and subscribing
to all he stands for. Neither did he
care to have the former Socialist use
him merely as sounding board" and
for "ballyhoo" purposes in his cam
paign under the Democratic banner.
Moreover, Mr. Roosevelt, aside from
any personal feelings or political rea-
soning, had no desire to deviate from
his hands-of policy regarding local
political contests.
Would Avoid Rebuff.
On the other hand, the President
did not choose to have any attitude on
his part interpretated as a rebuff to
Mr.. Sinclair Nor does he want to
ALLEVIATE the great number OF Cali
fornians who Overwhelmingly nom
mated the author.
1t was apparent that Mr.. Roosevelt
went over all this very carefully with
Col. Marvin Hunter Mcintyre. who is
In charge of the temporary Hyde Park
executive office. The President, dele
gated his secretary to answer Mr.. Sin
clair's telegram requesting the audi
ence, and to make the facts known to
the newspaper men covering" the
Summer White House.
AS explained by Col. Mcintyre, Mr..
Sinclair's telegram intimated that he
expected to discuss the California
political situation with the President,
and that he was counting on some
evidence of Endorsement from the
latter.
Col. Mcintyre made it very clear to
the representatives of the press that
in his answer on behalf of the Presi-
dent he candidly explained to Mr..
Sinclair that the President has made
1t rule not to take part in primaries
and elections for Governors, Senators,
Representatives and other State and
local officers. He pointed out. how
ever, that If Mr.. Sinclair had matters
of sufficient importance to warrant a
discussion with the President, he
would be glad to make the appoint
ment, but with the distinct under
standing that politics was to be
omitted from the conference.
Texts withheld.
The text of Mr.. Sinclair's telegram
or his own reply were not made pub
lie by Secretary Mcintyre, but the
latter explained the gist Of his answer
and the reasons for it.
It is confidently believed here that
President Roosevelt, aside from a ma
tural fear of misinterpretation on the
part Of the public, is really anxious
for a talk with Mr.. Sinclair. With
out in the least subscribing to even a
part of what the latter stands for in
ideas of government or his pronounced
extreme left-wing policies, Mr.. Roose-
velt would like to see and measure
this man who has suddenly emerged
as a political factor in California.
Mr.. Roosevelt is understood to be
familiar with some of Mr.. Sinclair's
earlier writings, and it is natural to
suppose that, as a devout student Of
current affairs, he knows in a gen.
eral way at least something what Mr..
Sinclair has been advocating in his
epic program.
Silent on Prospects.
It is natural to suppose, too, that
Mr.. Roosevelt is giving thought to the
political aspects brought about by Mr..
Sinclair's smashing victory over the
conservative Democrats of California.
Just what he thinks about this situa-
ton and the prospects for Mr.. Sin
clair's winning in November, the
President has not revealed. There is
oOllIC A1tLlC ICdoOtl W DclleVe, LI1Oug0,
that he already has heard from some
Of his administration and political
aides, who, after analyzing the Cali
fornia primary results, are inclined to
believe Sinclair is going to be elected.
There is one thing believed to be
back in the mind of the President az
a result of Sinclairs nomination, and
that Is the effect it should have on
the conservative industrial East. It is
thought possible the President feels
that Sinclair's victory should at least
convince the ultra conservatives of the
extent Of the radical vote in the West,
and at the same time make the con-
servatives come to the conclusion that
Franklin D. Roosevelt and his new
deal are not so radical after all.
To Meet Conservatives.
Mr.. Roosevelt is to attend late this
afternoon celebration in his honor,
given under the auspices of the Roose-
velt Home Club of Hyde Park. This
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