Evening star., 1936-05-03
BY MARK SULLIVAN

MANN hINs
- URRENT developments in the
presidential situation include
negative factor as important
as II 1t were affirmative. So
far there has been no formal gesture
on the part of the Republican party
toward participation in the party's
councils by Democrats. A few weeks
ago there were proposals that the post
OF temporary chairman OF the Re-
publican National Convention (which
carries with 1t the function of making
the keynote" speech) be given to
some distinguished Democratic dis
senter from the New Deal. But the
Republican party managers now have
chosen their temporary chairman and
keynote speaker and he is a Repub
lican. Senator Frederick Steiwer Of
Oregon. A liberal Republican, but de-
cidedly not Democrat.
Similarly, few months ago there
were suggestions looking toward other
ways OF bringing about participation
by anti-New Deal Democrats in the
Republican National Convention. One
idea was that the permanent chair
man, the parliamentary head of the
convention. should be an anti-New
Deal Democrat. But the Republicans
have now chosen their permanent
chairman and he is the same perma-
nent chairman they had in 1882, the
Hon. Bertrand H. Smell, Republican
leader in the House of Representa-
tives, completely orthodox Repub-
lican.
Not on Committee Either.
Among other suggestions at the
time when methods of cooperation
were under discussion was one that
anti-New Deal Democrats be invited
to sit on the Committee on Resolu-
tions and there take part in the max
ms of the party platform, which is
the function of that committee. But
apparently that is not to be, either.
The Committee on Resolutions in
every convention of either party is
made up of one delegate from each
Of the 48 States. Consequently the
members of the committee must be
delegates, and there is no sign any
where in the country, so far as I have
observed, that any anti-New Deal
Democrat will be selected locally as a
delegate to the Republican National
Convention.
Whether the Republican party man.
ayers still have in mind some other
gesture of cooperation with the anti
New Deal Democrats I do not know
There was talk that the Republicans
choose as their vice presidential candi-
date distinguished anti-New Deal
Democrat, such as Lewis Douglas or ex-
Gov. Ely of Massachusetts,. If the
Republican party managers, or the
| leaders, or any considerable body OF
delegates still have it in mind to
| give the vice presidential nomination
to an anti-New Deal Democrat am
not aware of it. The trend of what
the party managers have done so
far in the way of organizing the con.
vention seems to suggest a conven-
tional routine which would include,
Of course, the nomination of a Re-
publican for Vice President in the
usual way.
G. o. p. Suffers Thereby.
Many persons-many Republicans
many anti-New Deal Democrats, many
independents. many thoughtful per-
sons not identified with any party or
faction-think this a profound pity.
Considerations Of logic, which see
that this Is not mere controversy
between Republicans and Democrats:
consideration of the fact that the
issue is something wholly new ir
American politics: consideration of the
desirability of having this a clear.
cut struggle, with all opposed to thu
New Deal on one side, and consid.
erations Of Republican expediency-
all point toward the desirability oi
an alliance between Republicans ano
the anti-New Deal Democrats.
But so far the Republicans are
headed on course which does not
more than merely give to the anti
New Deal Democrats an opportunity
to vote the Republican ticket, priv
ilege which is theirs anyhow. 1t would
seem to be short-sighted, both as
principle and as strategy for the Re-
publicans to go on to the end with
out giving any sign of awareness thai
this Is an exceptional camapign year
calling for an exceptional policy.
About steps from within the Demo.
cratic party looking toward insurgency
against the New Deal there has beer
only one recent event of any con.
sequence. The former Democratic
Governor of Oklahoma, Alfalfa Bill
Murray. has expressed hostility to the
New Deal. But Murray is like most
Of the other Democratic leaders who
have taken the same step. He bears
the prefix "ex" before his title. Tha,
prefix accompanies Ex-Governor Smith
of New York, Ex-Governor Ely OF
Massachusetts,, Ex-Governor Comstock
of Michigan, ex-senator Bruce oi
Maryland. ex-senator Reed of Mis-.
souri,. The only Democrat still active
and still holding Office. so far as
have observed. who publicly opposes
the New Deal is Governor Eugene
Talmadge of Georgia, and Talmadge's
effort to marshal opposition to Mr.
Roosevelt in the South does not seem
to prosper.
Line Is Clear.
The line is clear between the Demo-
Gratis I have mentioned who are out
of ofice and, on the other hand, these
still active, still in office and hoping
to remain there All the latter, with
out any exception I can think Of
seem to have decided to "go along
with President Roosevelt and the New
Deal. Democratic leaders who. year
or SO ago, were the most forceful OF
all the country in their public disap-
proval of the New Deal. such as Sen
ators Carter Glass and Harry Byrd
Of Virginia. and Senator Millard
Tydings of Maryland are now silent
Quite evidently they assent to the re-
nomination of Mr.. Roosevelt without
apparently, any intention on theil
part to make any protest. Presum.