The Washington times., 1937-10-28
LEADERS HOPE
FOR A "SIGN" IN
TUESDAY VOTING
All Issues Are Minor,
Trend important
BY GEORGE R. HOLMES

QN.S0 The off-year elections
next Tuesday, while not offer
ing much in the way Of national
issues, are nevertheless being
awaited with keen interest in
political quarters here-on the
theory that small breezes
sometimes show which way the
big winds are blowing.
The Democrats have been some
what disturbed Of late over evil
denceS that Administration popu-
larity has slipped materially since
the great referendum of a year
ago. The long, bitter internecine
fight over the Supreme Court is
sue, the enormous shrinkage in
stock market values, lower COM
modify prices, and tagging bust
ness have all contributed to this
Democratic feeling of uneasiness.
NEW YORK WATCHED
Mostly, the political glasses will
be trained on New York next
week, for the most savage political
fighting Of the off-year has taken
place there in President Roose-
velt'S home State.
A mayoralty campaign that has
been extremely bitter, as well as
filled with puzzling political cross
currents, comes to a close with
Tuesdays election. In addition,
there are three vacancies in Con-
greSs to be filled by New York
voters, in the Seventeenth, Twenty
fifth and Twenty-Seventh districts.
All these districts are normally
Republican, although one, the
Seventeenth, "silk-stocking'' dis
trict, was captured by the Demo
Gratis in the original Roosevelt
landslide five years ago. The other
two, the Twenty-fifth and Twenty
seventh, are considered "hope-
leSSly" Republican, in the sense
that not even two Roosevelt land
slides could bulge Republican in
cumbentS in recent years.
OTHER CONTESTS
Aside from New York, New
Jersey and Virginia elect govern
ors next week; there is a congress
sional vacancy to be filled In the
Third Virginia district, and num-
ber of other cities besides New
York have mayoralty or municipal
elections.
It is the New York mayoralty
contest, however, that most Of the
politicians are watching, for. they
consider that Tammany Hall is
fighting for its life, and with its
back to the wall.
The Democratic candidate for
mayor is Judge jeremiah Ma
honey. He is opposed by Mayor
Fiorella La Guardia, one time Re
publican, one-time Socialist, cleo
ted four years ago as a FuSionist,
and supported by many. Demo
Gratis.
BACKED BY FARLEY
La Guardia has consistently sup
ported the New Deal, and stands
high in the favor of the White
House. Mahoney was introduced
in New York a few night ago by
none other than National and
State Chairman James A. Farley
as Staunch believer in the New
Deal. Under such circumstances
it will be difficult to apply yard
stick of the New Deals popularity
in the outcome of the fight. Both
support it.
In this exceptionally bitter con-
test, President Roosevelt has
taken no part. Farley endorsed
and is supporting Mahoney as the
organization candidate, but Presi-
dent Roosevelt has remained dis
creetly silent. Farley usually men,
tions the Roosevelt name in his fire.
quent speeches, but it was missing
in the speech he made for Ma
honey.
TANdMANY CHANGE
Tammany has had lean pick
ings in recent years. Ignored by
the White House ever since the
advent of the Roosevelt admins
tration, the Tiger has experienced
numerous other reverses, culmi-
mating finally in a complete rout
in the September primaries. The
old-line leadership Of the Hall
backed Senator Royal s. Cope
land in that fight, and was de-
feated by the Farley-Flynn wing,
which had supported Mahoney.
A new deal in Tammany'S lead
erShip seems inevitable whether
LaGuardia or Mahoney is elected.
The old leadership has been
beaten and broken. The politi-
ticians are wondering if there is
to be a new Tammany" after the
election.