Evening star., 1938-06-26
LIBERAL PARTY
SEEN IF NEW DEAL
LOSES PRIMARIES
Intervention by Roosevelt
Held Insurance Against
Conservatives in 40,
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS
HIT PLAN AS UNWISE
President Might Be Forced Into
Third.Term Fight by Allies,
Observers Say.
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.

nv u. IOULD LlNCOLN.
President Roosevelt's demand that
liberal" candidates be nominated this
year for the House and Senate ema-
mates from fear that the conserva-
tive element in the Democratic party
will control the 1910 convention, in
formed quarters on Capitol Hill as
serted last night.
1t is the Presidents purpose, first,
to "hberalize" the Democratic party
and so make sure of his control of the
convention which picks his successor,
it was said. If he fails in that, he
will have built up a strong liberal
bloc, which he will take into q third
party in an effort to continue control
Of the Government in the interest
Of the New Deal.
Democratic members Of Congress
still in Washington differed yesterday
over the Presidents declaration that,
as head Of the Democratic party he
intended to 60 into some of the Dem
ocratic primaries in support of lib
eral candidates.
Some ardent New Deal Senator's were
unwilling to admit in public statements
that they believed the President really
meant to go into congressional pri-
maries-although they praised his Fri
day night radio address to the Amer
ican people. They contented them
selves with saying it was proper the
President should ask the people to
support progressive candidates.
Cause HeLd Unwise.
Other Democratic Senators. some of
whom have opposed the President
strongly at times, asserted his course
was most unwise-whether proper or
not. They declared it would divide
the party into two camps. They had
no doubt whatever that the Presi-
dent intended to use his great influ-
ence in favor of some candidates and
Against others in the primary cleo
tions.
Republicans in Washington yes
terday were few and far between
Their attitude was that Mr.. Rooee-
welt has precipitated g. Democratic
row and that there was no particular
reason for them to comment at this
juncture
There were several exceptions. how
ever, as statements assailing the
Presidents speech were issued by Col
Frank Knox. Republican candidate for
Vice President in 1896, and Repre-
sentative Fish. Republican, of New
York
While Democrats were discussing
the wisdom Of the Presidents enter
ing primary contests, Representative
David j. Lewis of Maryland, New Deal
backed candidate for the Senate.
opened his campaign last night in
Cumberland with a slashing attack on
Senator Tydings
Senator Tydings is one Of those
Senators who seems to fall under the
presidential ban, because OF his many
votes against New Deal measures and
his frequent conflicts with New Deal
ideals.
Won't Wait Until 1910.
The President, it was said at the
Capitol, has no intention of waiting
until 1910 to make his fight for liberal
control of the next Democratic Ma
tional Convention. He is making it
now. If he must come to a new
liberal party-as the late President
Theodore Roosevelt was forced to do
when he wished to see my policies"
continued-then the President is
anxious to be prepared
His appeal in his radio address was
for liberals" in all parties-although
directed primarily to his own Demo-
cratic party. His appeal ever since
he became President in 1888 has been
to all liberal groups for support of
the New Deal
Whether in the event of a split awav
from the Democratic party the Presi-
dent would be candidate for third
presidential term was a question in
the minds of those discussing the DOS
s1ble situation. He would prefer to
support another candidate rather than
raise the third-term issue, it was sug-
gested. On the other hand he might
be forced into presidential nomina-
tion If he sponsored a new liberal
party.
Justified. Says Pepper.
OF the recognized New Deal DEM
ocratic Senators in Washington last
night, Senator Pepper of Florida, who
recently was renominated in his State
primary after the White House bless
ing had been bestowed through James
Roosevelt, son of the President, was
the most emphatic in declaring the
President was justified in going into
primary elections. He said:
THE Presidents address was a clear
review Of legislation enacted by the
6eventy-fifth Congress and q straight
forward declaration of his friendly at
titude toward the political situation.
1t Is only natural that the leader who
has to put into effect his party's plat
form should feel best able to proceed
when he has the support of men who
believe as he does and who believe IL,
the platform.
Another New Dealer, and himself a
candidate for denomination, is Sena-
tor McGill of Kansas. Senator Nc
Gill did not construe the Presidents
speech as a declaration that he in
tended to 60 into the primary elections.
Il construe that portion OF the Pres
fdents address dealing with primaries
as urging upon the people the nomina-
ton of progressive-mind candi-
dates" he said Il think that a very
good declaration for the President to
make. 1t was q fine address"
Senator Sheppard of Texas said
(see ROOSEVELT, Page A-3.)