Evening star., 1934-08-19

now ABROAD as chairman OF Ine
m.
} Opposing Gov. Talmadge are Claude
c. Pittman, Superior Court Judge
his own age. 49 years, who has the
informal but earnest support Of John
S. Cohen, president and editor Of the
Atlanta Journal, and Ed. A. Gilhan,
"a, Atlanta alderman, running as q
wet. Maj. Cohen served in the United
States Senate after the death of Will
liam ]. Harris until Gov. Richard B.
Russell, jr., who appointed him, sue
ceeded to the unexpired term by de-
feating former Representative Charles
r. Crisp with the Journals editorial
support.
TaImadge Stands on Record.
Gov. Talmadge is seeking indorse-
ment Of q two-year term marked with
more activity than shown by an execu-
tive in many years. Mr.. Talmadge
moved with q heavy hand TO reduce
utility rates, reduce the license tax on
automobiles to a fiat fee of So, reduce
the advalorem tax on real estate to
mills from 5, and to reorganize
the Public Service Commission and
the State Highway Board. The high
way board was ousted under o dec
laration of martial law, and the other
changes were made by executive order
after recalcitrant Legislature refused
to honor the Governors requests. If
the changes are to be permanent the
next Legislature, meeting in January,
1895, must approve them.
During q hectic two years Mr.. Tai
madge has not been in accord with
several features of the Roosevelt pro-
gram. He described the national ad-
ministration as "that mad house in
Washington" he called workers in
Georgia c. O. G. camps "loafers and
buns" he has attacked the Interstate
Commerce Commission and the Gov
ernment's agricultural program Sc
verely, he had q run-in with Harry L.
Hopkins, Federal relief administrator,
that resulted in Mr.. Hopkins describ-
ing him as "a yapper interested only
in headlines"
Points to His Economies.
In the face of these controversies
the Governor contends he has saved
the people thousands of dollars in
lower utility and automobile rates, and
that If reelected he win pay OF the
States Indebtedness Of more than
$5,000,000 within two years and not
increase taxes zone dime"
Judge Pittman, plain-spoken in
dividual of medium stature. with great
energy and a pronounced willingness
to mix things up" in the old-fash-
ioned way Of politicians, has made
capital Of Mr.. Talmadge's opposition
to the recovery program. The chief
burden of Judge Pittman's candidacy
is that Georgians must decide whether
they want Roosevelt or Talmadge."
The Governor, affecting red sus-
penders, a red tie, an oaken water
bucket and a gourd dipper, has at
tracted large crowds to hear his de-
fense Of his record. Judge Pittman,
speaking more frequently and travel
ing to every part of, the State, has
gained strength rapidly since the N. r.
A. preferred charges against John z.
Whitley, wealthy contractor and
member of the Governors staff.
Talmadge Aid Accused.
A Federal indictment charging
Whitley with paying wages Of 10 cents
an hour and 1914 cents an hour for
a 17-hour day on State highway prof.
ects has been cited by Judge Pittman
as confirming his contention that
Whitley ''is the highway department"
that he has not bid on Federal aid
projects because he could get all the
contracts he wanted from the Tai
madge-dominated highway board and
not have to pay the higher wages
required by the Federal Governments
40 cents an hour requirement.
The State Federation of Labor i'm
mediately condemned the Whitley
wage scale and the reaction against
the Governor was so severe that Mr..
Talmadge, defending the lower wage
scale a few days ago, finally was
moved to charge that Mr.. Cohen was
responsible for the opposition to him
Jack Cohen is the fox behind all
this opposition business" said the
Governor, land I intend to smoke him
out before this campaign is over"
Thus it appeared that Mr.. Tai
madge shares the belief Of his friends
that Maj. Cohen Is interested in re-
moving him as threat to his friend,
Senator Russell. The expiration of
the unexpired term Russell is filling
dovetails with the expiration of the
next term Of the Governor, and If
Talmadge Is the Governor 1t Is gen.
orally thought that he will oppose
Russell for the Senate seat.
Old Feud Factor In Race.
Friends of Mr.. Howell, on the other
hand, know that he would like to be
national committeeman again. Pro-
fessional and political jealousy Of Mr..
Howell and Mr.. Cohen, each for the
other, have found expression in al
most all the Statewide campaigns in
Georgia in a quarter century. Should
Gov. Talmadge be successful, Mr..
Howell would be in a position to oust
Mr.. Cohen when the Talmadge-con-
trolled State convention meets to
confirm the result Of the primary.
Judge Pittman has been gaining
strength so rapidly that Gov. Tai
madge is conceded hardly more
than even chances to repeat" To a
degree not realized by the mass of
the voters, the shape Of things politi-
cal for years to come depends upon
the result. Judge Pittman is not
Maj. Cohen's man." In the sense
that the Journal projected his can
didacy, but the jurist's success would
mean that Maj. Cohen, already q
powerful figure in national politics
as it touches the State, would exert
influence within the
State, through the party machinery
and the Governors official family.
BY the same token, Gov. Tall
madge's success would give Clark
Howell q personal influence in ma
tional and State affairs that he has
not had In several years.