The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-08-20


 President is giving it his pr
 The gloomy state of affairs ls due entirely Co Big Jlm's penchant for playing machine politics. His loves3east with the two old Guard democratic bosses os Nebraska has not only split the party wide open there but has alienated the liberal republicans whose votos Roosevelt must win Co carry the state,
 The Nebraska democratic or- ganiEation is dominated by Ar- thur Mullen, former national committeeman, and Senator Ed- ward R. Burke, Mullen's hench- man and successor to his place on the National Committee. And while playing bell with IlIn Far. Icy on ono hand, these two have sEneared the administration in practically everything they have said or done,
 Religious Issue
 Nebraska only has four big patronage plulns - Q federal Judge, U. 6. attorney, collector of internal revenue and .. 8. fiar.' shal. Despite vehement protests from liberals and democrats, Far. ley has backed up Mullen and Burke In filling every ono of these places with Catholics.
 That the religious lasuc should Dc made Q factor In Q campaign is extremely unfortunate. It is un.Amerlcan and blgOted. But the fact remains that In Me- braskA it has been made an issue against the administration because oe Mullen.B Burke. Harley ineptltude.
 Burke has capped this covert sabltago by happening the New Deal openly. Tn the senate he lined up against the President on every major administration meas. ure. And on tho stump he has been vigorously denouncing the administration for criticizing the supreme court. His speeches would do justice to . Liberty Leaguer.
 Only Hope
 Political scouts have reported to tho White House that Senator George Norris, Nebrask&'s great liberal, is the only hope for say. ing tho state for Roosevelt.
 If Norris can be persuaded to run for reelection as Q, pro- Roosevelt Independent, hc might rally sufficient liberal support to put the President over.
 Norris s for Roosevelt. But he is indifferent about seeking 0 fifth term. For tho last two months he has been quietly Va. cationing in the Wisconsin lake country, with no indication as to whether he will accept the "Calw.
 'ft has been suggested that Roosevelt make Q personal appeal to Norris to enter the race. But Mullen and Burke are energeti. cally proddlng Farley to diSsuado the President. Whether they sue. Ceed remains to Do seen.
 Oklahoma Oratory
 Senator Gore, oklahomas blind democrat, recently defeated for ye- nomination by Representative Josh Lee, is telling this story on his successful New Deal rival.
 Lee was formerly c teacher of public speaking, and, during his senatorial campaign, toured tho state regaling crowds with classic oTationS,
 According to Gore, . murderer was asked about to Do hanged and just before he adjusted the moose the sheriff asked the condemned man # he had anything to soy. The prisoner said he had not.
 Whereupon Lee stepped up and said: If the prisoner doeSn't care to speak would like to make use of his time to say Q few words.
 ! object, Sheriff." protested Che prisoner, Eve heard Lees speech three times and I'll be damned Ie I want to hear it again. ! want to de In peace" COHnxnunits WPA?
 The liberal leanings of Harry Hopkins have put him In Q hot spot with some of the worker examinations within WPA.
 His orders say in effect that Q COmmunIst has as much right tO . WPA job Rs an arch con- seFvatlve. Result has been . sharp cleavage between worker groups, and the formation ok rival unions within the projects. Each union clamors for better . treatment Oe its own members, as against tho rivals.
 Greatest hotbeds of controversy are in New York and San Fran cisco, where Red project unions are strong iii numbers and vocif- erous in expression. The type of WPA project that breeds great- est controversy is not the. .ditch- digging or road building job, but tho white ,. collar job - writers, artists and musicians.
 A publication of one of these groups, clamoring for favors, makes no bones about It's poll- tical faith, It declares in bold- ------------.-.-.-..-'s = - -