Evening star., 1936-07-30
STATE COALITION
THREAT TOLAND0N
Minnesota Democrats May
Try for Support of
Farmer-L aborites.
BY JOHN III. CLINE,

MINNEAPOLIS, July 30.-A coali-
ton between the Farmer-Laborites
and Democratic leaders looms now as
the biggest single threat to Gov. ALI
M. Landon's presidential aspirations
in Minnesota.
The Republicans are keenly alive to
this danger and, although they do not
believe 1t will materialize in substan-
tial form, they are leaving nothing to
chance in their efforts to guard
against it.
This is apt to develop into a guess
ing contest" remarked one Republi-
can leader. IF they outguess us,
we're licked. II we outguess them,
we're in.
The Republican organization in the
State is in better shape than it has
been for years. It has plenty Of money
and few factional differences. Prior
to the Cleveland convention the party
was split into two camps, one support
ing Gov. Landon and the other Col.
Frank Knox. But now that both men
are on the Republican ticket, these
groups are pulling together. There is
still some friction between the old
guard and an aggressive newer ele-
ment in the State organization, but
leaders predict they will iron out their
differences before the big vote drive
gets under way in September.
In 1882 the Republicans made the
mistake of letting the national ticket
60 by the boards in an effort to wrest
State control from the Farmer-Labor-
ties, and took licking on both counts.
At that time the abandonment of the
national ticket reached the extent Of
sending out national campaign Ntera-
ture which didn't even bear the desig-
nation Republican" They promise
not to repeat that mistake this year.
II think the Republicans here have
finally learned that they cannot carry
the State If they let the national ticket
down. prominent former State SEN
ator said. This year we are going to
throw our strength behind both. We
have strong gubernatorial candidate
in Martin A. Nelson, and Gov. Lam
don's candidacy also appeals to large
number OF voters. We think we can
put both Of them over"
Fears Of Farmer-Labor and Demo-
cratic fusion arise out Of the grave ILL
ness Of Gov. Floyd B. Olson, the brains
and the driving force behind the
Farlner-Labor organization.
Gov. Olson Is running for the United
States Senate this year, with former
Representative Theodore Christianson
as his Republican opponent. If Olson
should die, or be forced to withdraw
because of his poor health, the Farmer
Laborites would have to revamp their
ticket. There are two plans in the
making, both calling for fusion with
the Joseph Wolf faction of the Demo-
cratic party.
Benson Would Be Drafted.
Under the first, Senator Elmer A.
Benson. candidate for Governor,
would be drafted for Olson's place on
the ticket. The gubernatorial candi-
date then would be Lieut.. Gov. HAL
mar Peterson, who has expressed a
desire to sit in the Governors chair,
although he is running now for the
post of railway warehouse commits
sioner. The Democrats then would
be expected to support this ticket In
exchange for liberal slice of patron
age. 1t is generally expected the
Democrats would withdraw their
senatorial candidate, Patrick j. De-
laney. proprietor of a st. Paul beer
parlor. and Fred Curtis, their candi-
date for Governor. leaving their sup
porters free to vote the Farmer-Labor
ticket. 1t wouldn't make much differ
ence to the Democrats because De-
laney and Curtis are pledged to sup
port the Farmer-Labor ticket anyhow.
1t is generally believed, however,
that an alternative plan of campaign
will be adopted
This contemplates the substitution
of Chief Justice John P. Devaney of
the Minnesota Supreme Court for
Olson. Devaney, a Democrat, was
first appointed to the bench by Gov.
Olson, and then elected for a second