Evening star., 1938-11-15
The Political Mill
Progressive Democrats Inclined to Follow
Roosevelt Instead of La Guordiu

into shape in Minnesota. Mr.. La
Guardia probably will find that the
Minnesota Farmer-Laborites are
more interested in their own i'm
mediate problem than with any he
places before them.
There remains. Of course, the
American Labor Party OF New York,
with which Mr.. La Guardia is him
self amliated, and the redoubtable
John L. Lewis with is politically
minded C. I. o. The American
Labor Party did not set the world
aflre in the last election, although
1t did cast nearly 100000 votes in
New York State and may lay claim
to holding balance of power In
New York as between the Demo-
Gratis and Republicans. Its vote this
year was more than 100000 less
than 1t was year ago. That can
scorcely be called progress. Mr..
Lewis and his C. I. o. and adjunct,
Labor's Non-Partisan League, did
not distinguish themselves, either,
In the recent elections.
The battle for control of the Dem
ocratic party will intensity from
now until the Democratic National
Convention is held in the summer
OF 1910, with the Roosevelt New
Dealers striving to down the more
conservative group. Many Demo-
Gratis, even many of those who have
gone along consistently with Presi-
dent Roosevelt, are chortling over
the troubles which have come to the
La Toilette Progressives, the Farm
er-Laborites in Minnesota and to
John L. Lewis and his C. 10.
The more ardent New Dealers, If
they could be counted, would be
found to be decided minority in
the Democratic party. With Presi-
dent Roosevelt as their leader, they
have been able to dominate the rest
of the party. Whether this state
of affairs will continue is still to
be determined. The 100 per cent
New Dealers like to suggest that
the President will again be a can
didate for election, and they would
be greatly chagrined if the Presi-
dent should ever issue a statement
declaring he would not accept re-
nomination.
Statement Unlikely.
The President is scarcely likely
now to make any statement in re-
gard to his future plans, for If he
said he would not run again he
would lose power, and Immediately
GRO poi candidates would spring
up, each with his own particular
following. His trouble, if he does
not wish to run again, is to find
candidate acceptable to himself
who will have a chance of nomina-
ton at the hands of the Democrats.
The recent elections have made this
all the more difficult.
National Chairman James A. Far
ley of the Democratic party has
built up a remarkable organization
all over the country. 1t stood the
Democrats in good stead in the re-
cent congressional elections, and
had it not been for the organiza-
ton the Democrats would have
Jared much worse than they did.
What's to happen to that organiza-
ton should President Roosevelt and
the New Dealers decide to jump to
a new liberal party?
There is a school Of thought that
the next presidential nominations
and election will be determined
largely by what happens in other
nations, by what the dictators in
Germany. Italy and the govern
ments Of Russia and Japan do in the
next year or two. If the United
States is forced into a position of
defending itself against foreign enc
mics it is held that President Roose-
welt may have a far easier time
remaining in office. But that Is
getting we'll into the realm Of specu-
Iation.