Evening star., 1937-09-28
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY G.. GOULD LINCOLN.

many other persons, assert that the
President is still extremely popular in
the Midwest and the West But one
thing else they show The President
made no hit with his program for in
creasing the membership of the Supreme
Court and there is no enthusiasm for
him to continue his fight for that pro-
gram.
What effect if any this lack of en-
thusiasm for the court program will
have on the Presidents future course
remains to be seen. He is not one to
rellnquish easily an idea to which he has
committed himself-particularly when
he has gone as far with it as he has
with the plan to remake the Supreme
Court. The appointment of Justice
Black to the court, and the subsequent
circumstantial revelations of Blacks
connection with the Ku Klux Klan. have
Served to weaken still further the Presi-
dent in his campaign for court changes.
y X
Whatever the future holds in the Wav
OF court increase drive by President
Roosevelt, it seems clear he has aban-
doned, If he ever had it in mind, cam
paignlng for his court bill during his
present trip. Not only has he failed to
mention the court in his speeches so
lar, but 1t is now reported that he does
not intend to discuss the issue. He has
found his political friends not only luke
warm to the court issue, but also much
more interested in Federal projects in
volving the expenditure of large Federal
funds, In legislation for the farmers and
the workers.
There was much conjecture before the
president turned westward about what
ne might do to build fires under those
democratic Senators who opposed him
during the court bill fight. So far he
has not opened up on any of them
unless his remark criticizing Democrats
VINO give lip service to the New Deal
may be SO construed. In Wyoming he
greeted Senator OMahoney, one of the
chief opponents Of the court bill. in
friendly manner, although he did not
manifest a desire for a long con-
terence with him, the kind he had when
OMahoney was campaigning for him
last year. OMahoney drove four DAYS
IN an automobile to reach Cheyenne in
tlme to meet the President when his
traln reached that city. Furthermore.
OMahoney is now defending Justice
Black and making little of the attack
upon BLACK because OF his Klan con-
nection.
The Wyoming Senator is not one of
those Democrats who come up for re-
election next year. His present term
does not end until 194l. Much NAV
happen before the elections of 1910. II
President Roosevelt is. to be a candidate
Tor reelection himself-as some of his
supporters advocate-he will need again
The support of OMahoney and others
who do not like the plan to revamp the
Supreme Court.
1hefe are nine or ten Democratic
Senators, however, who turned a cold
shoulder to the President and his court
Dill who must stand for reelection next
year II they desire to retain their pres
ent places in the Senate Included in
the list are McCarran of Nevada, Van
Nuys OF Indiana, Tydings of MARYLAND.
Clark OF Missouri, Smith of South Caro-
INA, George of Georgia, Gillette of
Iowa and others. Their battles in the
nrst instance will be in the Democratic
primaries for the senatorial nominations.
II the administration throws its in
nuence against them and supports con-
tenoers for the Democratic nominations.
tney may have tough time Imme-
diately after the battle over the court
Dill came to an end, some of these Sena-
TORS frankly said, in private conversa-
.ioh' that they believed themselves to
pe marked men. They did not conceal
from themselves the fact that they were
under a cloud
NOT only did these gentlemen oppose
the President on his court bill but some
OF them were cold to the administra-
tions farm bill and to the wages and
hours bill. However, none of them. or
perhaps very few of them, have broken
oehntely with the President and his
new Deal. Instead they are continuing
70 speak OF the President as a great
president, and his objectives as splendid.
Onder these circumstances, it is diff
cult to see how these anti-court bill
senators can hope for full support of the
Repupllcan party when they come before
tne electorate. Their attitude toward
the President so far does not encourage
many Republicans to go to the extent
OF favorlng coalition to bring about
their reelection.
PRESIDENT Roosevelt has done a Num-
Der OF things which have not met with
popular approval in addition to his
orlve against the Supreme Court. His
~ H. A. in time became very unpopular
In some sections of the country his
reciprocal trade agreements. admitting
to this country goods in competition
with American products, have been at
tacKed. But there has always been. so
lar, distinction in the minds of his
followers between the President himself
ana these acts, and the acts of his sub
oroinates. And SO his popularity has
remained
In Massachusetts, today special cleo
ton is being held to fill the vacancy in
the House caused by the death of the
late William P. Connery, jr., of Lynn.
his brother, Lawrence j. Connery, is the
Democratic nominee Against him are
running Edward D. Sirois, a member of
the State Legislature and a Republican
OF Lawrence, and candidate of the
Union party of Father Coughlin memory.
The Union party polled so many votes
IN the last gubernatorial election that it
is recognized by the election laws of the
State as party and it's candidates en-
Titled to a place on the ballot.
1t would be political miracle if the
Republlcans should win this district.
which has been Democratic stronghold
and was carried by Connery last year
with lead of 25,50O votes over his Re-
publican opponent. The, Republicans
have been making great efforts. however.
in the campaign now closed. Their
candidate has successfully carried his
legislative ~, 7 ToV