Evening star., 1937-06-25
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY C.. GOULD LINCOLN.

are asking whether the Democrats may
not have to decide between nominating
Roosevelt and John L. Lewis. 1t looks
as though Lewis will have a large group
In the convention which will follow his
lead, whatever that may be. For ex-
ample, II Lieut.. Gov. Kennedy, secretary
OF the United Mine Workers, should
be elected Governor of Pennsylvania
next year, an end to which the c. l. o.
Is said to be pressing, there is an oppor-
tunity to control very largely the big
Pennsylvania delegation to the Demo-
cratic National Convention. Lewis him.
self Is expected to play dominating
part in the Illinois delegation. He may
count 1t is said, on the support OF Sid
ney Hillman when it comes to some OF
the New York delegation. The c. I. o.
has plenty of political influence in 4
number Of other States, As for example
In West Virginia. Furthermore, Lewis
and his organization are in 4 position
to put out big campaign fund II 1t
be necessary. They did so for the elec-
tion Of President Roosevelt last year.
In Pennsylvania. however, there is
Senator Guffey to be reckoned with, not
to mention Gov. Earle. They are not
likely to be showed aside by the c. l. o.
outnt without 4 struggle. They are said
to have their own candidates for Gov
ernor. 1t has even been suggested that
Senator Guf1ey himself might step out
and take the nomination for Governor,
II 1t became necessary. Earle under the
State law, cannot run to succeed himself
as Governor. There is talk, too, of Earle
running for Senator next year, or that
Kennedy will seek the Democratic nomi-
nation for the Senate For purposes OF
consolidating the power Of the C. I. o.
and increasing 1t politically, the nomi-
nation and election OF Kennedy as Gov
ernor would be more effective.
great deal politically, therefore. may
turn on the success OF the C. I. o. in
the steel strike, and in the success OF
the organization in gathering members
in all kinds OF industries.
President Roosevelt today Is holding
his FIRST set Of conferences with Demo-
cratic Senators and Representatives on
Jefferson Island. in Chesapeake Bay, to
which he and the members Of Congress
have been invited by the Democratic
club which owns the island. Primarily
the conferences were designed. 1t Is said,
to get the Democrats together and make
show OF harmony, which has been sadly
lacking since the President turned loose
his bill for increasing the membership
OF the Supreme Court. his bill for re-
organization OF the executive depart
ments OF the Government and his wages
and hours bill. Whether anything more
than this show OF harmony can be ac-
complished remains in doubt.
Opponents OF the Presidents court bill
frankly say that nothing the President
can say or do down there on Jefferson
Island Will af1ect their position on the
court bill. They are against 1t and will
continue 30. Most Of the court bill oppo-
nents, however. are making the pill
srimage to the island. One car load
will consist OF Senator Harry Flood Byrd
OF Virginia and Senators Bailey Of North
Carolina. Clark of Missouri, Van Nuys OF
Indiana and another Of the recalcitrants.
Senator Wheeler OF Montana, floor lead
er Of the court bill opposition Is making
the trip also today. Senator Burke OF
Nebraaka, q leader, too. in the firht
against the court bill. will be in the Mid
die West and will not attend the con-
ferences. He left here last night to 70
to Cleveland for joint debate on the
court bill.
The announcement by Senator Robin
son OF Arkansas, Democratic leader,
that motion TO call up the Presidents
court bill probably would be made the
latter part OF next week was In line with
what had been expected The Senate
will have disposed of the appropriation
bills, the relief bill and the nuisance
tax continuance bill by that time, or
nearly 30. All these measures are needed
by July l, the opening OF the new fiscal
year. Senator Robinson is reported to
have said to Senator Wheeler that he
hoped an early vote could be had
Wheeler replied that he had no doubt
that an early vote on the bill" could
be had. He meant the original bill.
Robinson. however, remarked that, OF
course, amendments would be offered.
wheeler backed away from any early
vote on q compromise amendment. In
fact, the opponents Of the Presidents
plan to increase the Supreme Court are
frankly going to talk as long A. may be
necessary to defeat any increase in the
court. They hope to have the votes to
defeat any compromise. They are toy
ing with the idea Of offering the anti
lynching bill as an amendment to the
court bill. II 1t becomes necessary to
defeat the administration by long de-
bate. II that measure could be attached
to the court bill, there are 4 number OF
Senators supporting the court bill who
would never vote for it. and who proba-
bly, would join . filibuster to prevent q
vote on the measure. This Is = matter
OF strategy which will be taken up later.
4 X X
The Jefferson Island conferences,
spread out over three days, are expected
to bring about better feeling among the
Democrats. That they will be able to
settle on . program for the rest OF the
session Of Congress is doubtful. Many
OF the Democrats are anxious to wind
up business here and 60 home. They
do not want to stay here all Summer
debating the court bill, or the wages
and hours bill or the Government re.
organization bill. Yet the President has
been represented as insisting upon the
passage Of all three OF these measures.
X
The death OF Franklin Fort OF New
Jersey 4 few days ago marked the
passing OF one Of the most respected
men who ever came to the House. Fort,
Republican and An influential men,
Der Of Congress during the Harding,
Coolidge and Hoover administration,
always had the courage OF his convic-
tions, and, as . consequence the Admira.
ton Of his fellow members. He would