The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-08

ator race, 1t could not interfere with the state ticket and help name the lieutenant governor. Obviously this was just stalling. Post Mortem
 After Copeland's death, the Labor Party came back to the Democrats. This time all they wanted was one assemblyman. They already had six assembly, men, and in order to give their party the appearance of brewing, they wanted seven.
 But even this modest request was turned down. By this time Farley waS in Alaska, and Tam many leaders could not get to- gether. They said 1t was too late to remove any Tammany candi- dates from the Democratic ticket to make room for Laborites.
 It was only after this final re- bun that the Labor Party went to the Republicans. Here they were welcomed with open arms. Instead of getting one assemblyman, they were promised 12 to IS assembly, men. 6 Senators, 3 judges, and Congressmen.
 And if Tom Dewey, gang purging District Attorney, runs for Governor on the Republican ticket, the combination will be unbeat table. That Is why so much persuasion Is being used on Herbert Lehman to run again for governor. He alone probably could beat Dewey.
 Lehman's wife, however, wants him to be . Senator. Military Election
 Senator Kenneth McKeller of Tennessee is a staunch friend of the Administration, and vice versa, but he gave Roosevelt leaders some trying moments this week when he demanded that federal troops be sent to Memphis to combat the state troops which Governor Browning planned to send to that city.
 Browning, foe of the McKellar- Crump combination, had threat ened to order state troops to pro- tect Memphis polling booths, and the first word Washington got of this was . phone call from Me- Kellar.
 "What position would you take" the Senator asked Joe Keenan, Assistant to the Attorney Gcn- eral, If we got court injunc- ton preventing Browning from calling out the troops2"
 It was feared. he explained, that Browning's troops would intimi- date voters, throw the election to his candidates.
 Keenan is one of the coolest and most practical men in Wash ington. He replied:
 "Senator, you're great friend of ours, but remember that a governor of a state has certain rights which cannot be ignored. This happens to be a state election as well as fed cral election, and he has just as much right regarding the pro- tection of polling booths as we See if you can't work this thing out for yourself without getting us involved.
 Despite, this, however, Judge John D. Martin of the U. s. Dis- trict Court next day signed an order enjoining Governor Brown ing from sending troops into Memphis. stronghold of the Me- ISallar- -Crump machine. Imme- diately. thereafter, U. s. Marshal Charles Miles Wired the Justice Department asking that 250 fed eral troops be sent immediately. Simultaneously Senator McKellar wired the War Department re- questing troops.
 So once again Joe Keenan got on the long distance telephone. This time he called Judge Martin.
 Judge" he said, T Just got a request from the United States Marshal for 250 federal troops to enforce your injunction against Governor Browning. Was 1t your Idea that the question of life and death involved in the use of troops should rest solely on the Judgment of U. 8. Marct:aI3 You realize, of course, that unti recently this man was a grocer. How can we depend upon his Judgment in such important mat ters at this?"
 "I'll give him the ordcrs." Judge Martin replied.
 No, Judge" replied Keenan, "in anything as vital as this, he'll take orders from those to whom he reports. the administrative branch Of the government. But without questioning the wisdom of your decision. do question the wisdom Of putting the use of troops in the hands of a marshal"
 Then how Is the order to be obeyed7' Judge Martin asked.
 T assume" replied Keenan, that the governor Of q state has the same right in court as an ordinary citizen. And If he dis- obeys the order he can be sum- rnoncd into court. I assume also that this Is a matter which might readily be reviewable by higher courts"
 To this Judge Martin reluct- antly agreed. But 1t required AS minutes of long distance conver- sation.
 Senator McKeIIar did not get his federal troops, but also Governor Browning did not use his state troops. Browning never gave any explanation as to why he did not carry out his threat, and It may have been that not knowing about the position of the federal government, he was outbIuffed by Kenneth Nickel lar.
 Copyright, 1888. by United Feature
 Syndicate. Incl
 
 BINGO RUSH FERROUS