The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-11
MICHIGAN old
GUARD TALK OF
TAKING WALK
Jim Farley's Ears Would
Burn to Hear Democrats,
Stokes Says.
By THOMAS L. STOKES
Times Special Writer

DUKES says.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
Times Special Writer
DETROIT, March l1.-Lots of Old
Guard Democratic leaders in Mich
igan, piqued over alleged patronage
discrimination, are ready to take a
walk" in November. They may drag
the state back into the Republican
bower where it nestled so long.
Jim Farley's ears would burn-and
so would President Rooseyelt's-to
hear the bitterness issuing from the
lips of old line Democrats who have
seen their prerogatives largely taken
over by Democratic congressman
including three Polish members
from Detroit-Sadowski, Dingell and
Lesinski.
4 The old-timers, TO hear them at
this iuncture. are prepared to with
draw from the campaign. Some of
them are influential leaders. They
stood with the party in the days
when TO be a Democrat in Michigan
was like being Methodist preacher
at an Irish wake. They say they
struggled and suffered in the hard
days and should be considered now.
Hard Job to Hold Michigan
This factional strife, which
started soon after the New Deal
was installed, is going to make Mr..
Farley's job of holding Michigan
very diflcult-it seems now, we'll
nigh impossible. Mr.. Roosevelt's
popularity may do the trick, despite
the failure Of old-line leaders to 90
along, but it will be severe test.
One disgruntled Democrat fore
cast that the President would lose
Michigan by 100000.
Now in the saddle here is
heterogeneous group, including the
Congressmen-of whom Representa-
tive SadoWski seems most influen-
tial. The group is headed nominal
" by State Democratic Chairman
Elmer B. O'Hara.
They have had MIR. Farley's ear.
So, it seems, has Father Charles E.
Coughlin. The priest is said to nave
had voice in patronage.
Mrs. Roosevelts Brother Is Factor
Another factor here is the broth
er of Mrs. Roosevelt, Hall Roose-
welt, who is associated with the
group now in control He was
named city controller by former
Mayor Frank Murphy, now high
commissioner to the Philippines.
After retiring as controller, he
moved to Cleveland but recently
has returned to his home at jack
son, Mich, and is participating in
political negotiations.
In the group now getting little
consideration are Horatio Abbott,
national committeeman, who won
the enmity of Secretary of the
Treasury Morgenthau by soliciting
campaign contributions while he
was Internal Revenue Commission
er, and was forced by the secretary
to resign; former Gov William A.
Comstock perhaps the most power
full Of the old line Democrats;
Frank Picard. candidate for the
Senate in 1884 against Senator
Arthur Vandenberg, and Walter I.
Mckenzie, former Democratic State
Chairman.
Mr.. Comstock, who was Governor
from 1882 to 1884, when he was de-
feated for denomination, lost favor
at Washington when he criticised
the operation of some New Deal
agencies, especially PWA.
Gradually the congressman began
to edge their way into Mr.. Far
ley's good graces.
Farley Blamed for 1884 Loss
j, Old-line leaders blame Farley's
tactics for the loss of the state in
1884 and for the election of a Re-
publican Governor, Frank D. Fitz-
gerald, and the reelection of Sena-
tor Vandenberg, who defeated Mr..
Picard by only $4,000 votes in more
than a million cast.
Senator Vandenberg, say the dis
gruntled Democrats, has the Demo-
Gratis to thank for his present posi-
ton as Republican presidential
possibility. There is a strong feel
ing in Michigan-fed somewhat by
state pride - that he will emerge
from the Cleveland convention as
the standard bearer.
Only recently the old wounds
have been re-opened by the appoint
ment of Arthur F. Lederle, an as
sistant corporation counsel of De-
troit for IS years, as Federal Judge
for cfnrIO MiOl1ino11 y,
candidate of the congressional
group. Old-liners wanted either
Picard or Mckenzie.
Ex-Gov. Comstock announced
after this appointment that he
would take no part in Democratic
activities in 1886 and predicted a
deserved rebuke" for the party at
the November polls.
Couzens' Election Conceded
Odds at this moment seem to be
in favor of Republicans retaining
their control of state offices in No
vember as well as carrying the state
for their presidential candidate.
Senator James Couzens is up for
reelection. His return to the SEN
, ate is virtually conceded. A 31-year-
old Republican lawyer, William B.
Cudlip, has announced his candi-
dacy, but he is no threat. Ex-Gov.
Wilbur M. Brucker may run.
The Republican Old Guard and
the bankers will fight the multi
millionaire Senator, but with little
hope.
. Just who will be the Democratic
Sacrifice" has not been determined.
Frank Murphy may re-enter state
politics to run for Governor, though
this is doubtful. He is expected to
indicate his intentions when he re-
turns from Manila in April. Gov.
Fitzgerald will seek denomination
and reelection.
WHY Y0II EHnIII