The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-11-21
SEEN
HEARD
around the
NATIONAL
CAPITAL
By Carter Field y
BY Carter Field !


are surprised at certain Democratic
attacks on James A. Farley as re-
suit OF his prediction claims. De
mands that he resign, coming from an
outstanding Democratic newspaper.
put together with the fact that the
Democrats registered net majority
In the Empire state of 100000, cause
some insiders here to wonder IL there
Is something underlying the situation
they do not understand.
1t Is perfectly true, they admit, that
Farley's prediction claims gave the
Republicans chance to do some
Growing over their regaining of the
control OF the New York assembly.
But 1t was pretty sad growing, mostly
done before the vote tabulation
showed that huge Democratic ma
jority.
Privately, Republicans were search
Ing around for comfort next day as
far as New York state is concerned.
They finally decided that Tammany
put forth all It's effort because OF It's
necessity for getting strangle hold
on the board OF aldermen and thus
short circulting Mayor La Guardia.
Whereas there were no fights cal
eHlated to bring out big vote upstate
except In Erie county, where the Re
puhlicans did pretty well.
Actually. however, 1t always has
been Farley's strategy to claim every
thing. concede nothing. He has ex-
planned bis theory to newspaper men
many times. For example, In 1882
Farley knew perfectly we'll there was
no chance OF Franklin D. Roosevelt's
carrying Vermont. But, as he told
friends a. the time, II he conceded
Vermont. publicly, all the party work
ers In that state would lay down.
Whereas II he claimed It, and sent
them speakers. money and assistance
generally. they would be up on their
toes fighting.
AS a result, the shrewd Jim COM
mented. I'VE might win coroner
here, and sheriff there. and men,
Der OF the legislature somewhere else.
Then, next election. these winners
will be on the Job working for our tick
ct" and Will not have to be paid or
cajoled In fact. his theory Is that
three or four hard fights. even In hope
less territory, will be apt to produce
a winning by and by.
Logic Accepted
Now the fact Is that no politician
who ever won a campaign dsagrees
with that logic. They may not prac-
tice 1t, because they may not have the
time and energy toaspare Generally
they think they haven't, anyhow, and
so often they do not make these hope
less fights. But there is seemingly no
limit to Farley's energy, and he has |
actually had all the money he needed |
In every campaign, regardless of |
plaintive statements to the contrary.
His strategy, incidentally, Is album
dainty justified by what has happened
In upstate New York as result of |
In hopeless territory
With live. fighting Democratic or
ganizatlon In every upstate county, the
old-time majorlties .above the Bronx
have shrunk until they are swamped |
by the Democratic majorltles In the
big town.
This was demonstrated In this cleo !
ton, where despite a very stable
of Republican strength up
state, the net vote In the entire state
was 100000 Democratic.
In fact, the main hope OF the Re
pnblicnns about the Empire state,
whose AZ electoral votes are SO Vital
to any hope OF beating the New Deal
next November. lies In the belief that
80 many New Workers vote Democrat
&c locally, but Republican nationally.
This was certainly factor In the All
Smith races for governor. Smiths
record Of running million votes
ahead of his national ticket In 1920 Is
still unmatched.