The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-01
Washington
Merry-Go-
Round
By DREW PEARSON and
ROBERT s ALLEN

- Time FTdUkIlH fNONScNtiL NASAtcu
southern Californian l932-he
was aided in making the state safe
for Democracy by VIII Rogers. Jack
Warner and an unusually warm
California evening
The Rogers humor, the Warner
movieland pyrotechniCS and the
weather attracted more than 100000
people to the Los Angeles Colisuem.
There they felt the magic of
Franklin Roosevelt'S voice, and from
that time on there was no need for
further effort by Democratic work
erS in southern California.
Roosevelt, to use Hollywood Ian
guage, had gone to town" with the
average voter.
During his second visit 10 the
Golden State. Roosevelt faces A sit
uation in which class prejudice Is
congealing into two hostile, some
times bitter groups.
From the largest of these, the
working people of the state, Roose-
Welt still can command unqueStioned
allegiance.
From the other group, which in
CludeS not only the Weather but
those who. for want of better de-
scription, might be tagged white
collariteS, there is passionate ami
mostly.
ID ALLYING behind Herbert Hoo
N yer in 1882. this group polled
100000 votes. Democratic leaders
in their franker moments admit
that without viii Rogers, without
Jack Warmers fireworks, and re-
gardleSS of the weather, the prooa-
BILE Republican minimum in 1885
will be 100000 votes, out of the
2.500.O 900 which will be cast.
This leaves one relatively small
group of voters in a position almost
to dictate the way California will
swing. one year and one month from
the present. It also produces a
situation whereby a serious split
within Democratic ranks can throw
the election to the enemy.
The latter explains why Big Jim
Farley recently has been so
solicitous about appeaSing Upton
Sinclair's EPICs. The former eX-
plains WHY the President will have to
show genuine benefits from his Old
age pension plan if he wants TO be
sure of carrying California.
For. holding the balance of power
today, perhaps more than the fol-
lowers of Sinclair, are the followers
of that gaunt and imprisoned
promiser of 5000 a month to every
oldster in the United States, DR..
Frank E. Townsend.
TN a state where thousands have
Il come to bask in the California
sunshine and enjoy life until they
die, TownsendiSm is a tremendous
factor. If the physician, who has
become almost a divine leader to
CALIFORNIA; retired citizens, sud-
denly should throw his weight be-
hind the Republicans, the New Deal
probably would be finished in this
vital political arena.
This explains why Rep. John S.
McGroarty. at first something of a
joke IN Washington, has become
such a pivotal person in California.
Before Congress adjourned, Nc
Groarty got tired of running err
rands for his constituents, was hon.
est enough to tell them SO, declared
he would not run for Congress
again. and came home.
On his arrival. 10000 people
snarIed their cars into terrific
traffic jam and in some cases walked
three miles to welcome him and to
hear DR.. Townsend speak.
There is one great ray of cheer
in all this for the President and
Jim Farley. John McGOarty is a
Democrat, and he is the man ex-
pected to keep the Townsendites
with Roosevelt in 1886.
MEANWHILE Farley and the
wi President have enough to
worry about as a result Of the in
ternecine warfare between Sim
clair's EPICs and the regular"
Democrats. The latter, who threw
their strength to help elect Re-
publican Governor last year. now
have the pleasure Of sitting or the
sidelines and watching that Gov
ernor administer a Federal relief
machine which otherwise would
have Melted them untold power and
patronage.
None Of these can be reckoned
among the blessings of Democracy,
but despite them all, Roosevelt to-
day has a decided lead in Califor-
MIA
His strength lies in the devotion
of workers, farmers, those on re-
lief. Among many of these there IL
an almost fanatical belief in the
sincerity of the President. Mis-
takes in judgment, false starts. re-
versals in policy they admit. But
they stand by his sincerity.
Copyright 1885 by United Featurs
Syndicate, Inc
= RV George Clark