Evening star., 1938-04-14


one Of the instrumentalities through
which he piled up big popular vote
There were other machines, such as
the Pendergast organization in Kansas
City, where the Roosevelt managers
were working in close cahoots with the
most undesirable elements in local
government in America It is possible
that Mr.. Roosevelt would have been
elected without the aid of these organ
izations, but 1t is nevertheless signifi-
cant when one of these powerful ma
chimes is overthrown.
Party Lines Submerged.
The people of Cook County, which
includes Chicago have been suffering
from the behavior of the Kelly-Nash
machine for long time Clean cleo
tions have been Impossible. This is
one reason why the Chicago Daily
News, for instance, newspaper owned
by Col. Frank Knox, vice presidential
nominee in 1886 on the Republican
national ticket, came out in a 'front.'
page editorial last week urging Re-
publican voters in Cook County to en-
ter the Democratic primaries in an
effort to smash the Kelly-Nash ma
chine. The theory behind this move
was that. since clean elections were
not possible under the hold which the
Kelly-Nash machine had on the local
election mechanism, it was useless for
the Republicans to keep on struggling
to win victory for their own candi-
dates
Something of the same sort might
be said nationally with respect to other
State and local situations The first
step is always to get rid of an immoral
situation and to combine forces with
others who feel the same irrespective
OF the party label.
May Return to Own Candidates.
The Illinois voting was unusually
heavy, indicating, indeed, that Repub-
licans did enter the primaries. Like
wise there was distinct falling off
in the total vote in the Republican
primaries. where there we're hardly |
any important contests anyway. The |
primary system is such that these
same Republicans who participated in
the Democratic primaries can vote for
their own candidates next autumn II
they desire to do so.
In this connection. it will be inter-
esting te see what platform the sue
cessful Democratic nominee for the
United States Senate adopts in his
forthcoming campaign. He was helped |
by Republican votes to win his vic
tory Tuesday. What will he do to |
keep those Republican votes this au-
tumn? 1t is most regrettable that
Michael Igoe, United States district
attorney and formerly a member of
the House here, where he was favor
ably known, became mixed up with |
the Kelly-Nash machine as its candi-
date. Had he been on the other side,
he would have been more fortunate. |
The election was devoid of person.
alties as such, but was primarily con-
cerned with the one issue-the over
throw of the Kelly-Nash machine. |
The latter organization was the re-
cipient of Federal favors from time |
to time in the form Of public works
allotments and other benefactions. So |
to certain extent also was the other
faction, led by Gov Horner, whose
enmity for the KelIy-Nash machine
has been one of his biggest political
assets. 1t will be recalled that the
Governor fought the Kelly machine
the last time he was up for renomina-
ton. and he has given no quarter
since.
Roosevelt Not an Issue.
Examination of the speeches and
utterances would seem to indicate
that both sides kept the Roosevelt is
sues out of the campaign by proclaim
ing, sincerely or insincerely as the
case may be. their respective beliefs
IN the national administration. Such
strategy was deemed desirable by each
faction to avoid unnecessary enmities,
especially in what appeared from the
start would be close fight.
The breaking down of a political
machine is an event Of major signifi-
cance when it happens in a big city
ike Chicago. 1t reveals the temper
OF the people. 1t may we'll be con-
sldered whether this same temper
will not reveal itself nationally some
day in a definite opposition to an
administration which spends $40, ,ooo,-