Evening star., 1936-05-29
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

White House suggestions are to the
effect that President Roosevelt's desire
for Gov. Herbert H. Lehmans renomi-
nation is based purely on the belief that
he is so good an executive that New York
State ought to draft him for another
term. Some Democratic leaders in their
more confidential moments make little
attempt to conceal the fact that Leh-
mans candidacy is almost indispensable
to the success of the party presidential
ticket in New York State this Fall.
They are not absolutely sure that any
other gubernatorial nominee would pile
up a big enough Democratic vote to
make certain the carrying of New Yorks
Al electoral votes into the Roosevelt COL
umn Woodrow Wilson was reelected
In 1916 without the vote of the Empire
State, and New Dealers are confident
that Mr. Roosevelt can win this year
without it, because Of his reputed stran-
glehold on the South and West. All the
same, the possibility of losing New York,
due to the absence Of Gov. Lehman from
the State ticket. is prospect that is
not contemplated without some anxiety.
That being so, there is every expectation
that adequate pressure will eventually
be brought upon Mr.. Lehman to sacri-
flee himself once more upon the altar
of party welfare.
One of the leading Republican men,
bers of the Senate, with reputation as
a political wizard, has figured out set
Of betting odds which, in his expert opin-
ion. represent present prospects Of the
leading contenders for the G. o. P.
presidential nomination. He thinks that
the chances FOR Landon's nomination are
$3.50; that the figures are about 8 to
In favor of the nomination of Vanden-
berg; about 2 to in favor of the noni-
nation of Knox; to that Landon, VAN
denberg or Knox will be nominated, and
S to that neither Steiwer nor Lowden
will be the conventions choice.
* * x
That day is counted lost in these times
whose low descending sun does not wit
ness a fresh idea for a perfectly good
on the Republican ticket. owen D.
Young is the latest proposal along the
coalition line, following earlier sugges-
tionS of the names of former Budget
Director Lew Douglas, former Gov. Ely of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, oC4ldtOE OA VA 6hAUt
Col. Henry Breckinridge and Al Smith.
Fervent overtures for Democratic CO.
operation in electing Republican Presi-
dent are sure to be made at Cleveland,
and may even be written into the party
platform, but the best guess is that the
project to award second place to some
New Deal inSurgent will be Shipwrecked.
A promise to give cabinet representation
to Democrats is regarded about as far
as the G. o. p. will 60 in the direction
Of fusion magnanimity.
Washington is watching with keen in
terest the outcome of next weeks Re-
publican party fracas in Indiana, which
is destined to decide former Senator Jim
Watson,s political future. The issue at
stake is the State Craftsmanship, and
whether 1t shall be held by the Watson
faction or by the elements loyal to for
mer Gov. James p. Goodrich. Watson's
control of the situation is precarious and
his friends are fearful that he is doomed
to lose out when the State committee
meets on June for definite reorganiza-
tion purposes.
If Gov Landon is to be President
Roosevelt's 1886 opponent, Democratic
National Chairman Farley has just In
dtcated that the partys strategy VIII be