Evening star., 1938-08-20
POPE MAY RUN
AS|NDEPENDENT
Wallace, Ickes and Norris
Have Pledged Support,
His Friends Say.
Fy the Associated Press.

Ry the Associated Press.
Senator Pope, Democrat, of Idaho
whose defeat In the recent Idaho
Democratic primary was a major set
back and surprise for the admins
tration, said today he was consider
ing entering the November election
as an Independent candidate.
The Idaho Senator, an ardent sup
porter of President Roosevelt's pro-
gram, declared he had received more
than thousand letters and numerous
kilograms and telephone calls urging
him to run.
He added in an interview that he
probably would make up his mind
within the next few weeks after con-
sulting with officials here and Demo-
cratic leaders in Idaho.
Since returning here, Senator Pope
has talked with Secretary Wallace
and other top-ranking administration
officials.
His intimates said he had been
promised support. if he runs as an In
dependent, by Mr. Wallace, Secretary
Ickes and Senator Norris. 1ndepend-
ent of Nebraska among others. There
was a reported possibility, also, that
he might receive active support OF
the National Progressive party of the
La Toilette brothers.
Farley Causes Speculation.
Word that Senator Pope might run
as an Independent We'd in interest
among politicians here with the con-
ference President Roosevelt arranged
at Hyde Park. N. Y, today with Mayor
Fiorello H. La Guardia Of New YORK
City.
In this connection there was specu-
iation whether Mayor La Guardia and
the American Labor party might take
any hand in the reelection campaign
of Representative John j. O'Connor
Representative O'Connor has been ap-
peaIng for Republican support.
The President in statement this
week asked defeat of Representative
OConnor and Senator Millard E. Tyd-
ings of Maryland, who have opposed
some administration measures.
Mr.. O'Connor replied in broadcast
address Thursday. Senator Tydings
headquarters announced he would
speak by radio tSunday evening, pre-
sumably replying to Mr.. Roosevelt.
G. o. p. Blamed for Defeat.
y,;a,s oe cooo+or pooo o+trihut or,
his defeat to participation of Repub-
licans in the Idaho Democratic pri-
mary. Another factor was said to be
the votes of farmers disappointed with
low wheat prices.
Sen. Pope received about 80, 500 pri-
mary votes to 42,500 for Represent
ative D. Worth Clark, the winner who
campaigned as a conservative Demo-
crat. About 10000 votes were cast in
the Republican primary.
Because the Roosevelt administra-
ton has always polled greater
strength in final elections than in
primaries in Idaho, Pope supporters
contend he would have an excellent
chance in a three -cornered election
contest with Representative Clark and
Donald Callahan, Republican nominee
for the Senate.
AS co-author of the New Crop Con-
troll Act, Senator Pope has been men
toned for possible appointment to an
executive place in the Agriculture De-
partment in case he abandons his
candidacy.
Clark Promised Support.
One angle Of the independent race
is known to be bothering him. Post
master General Farley, as Democratic
national chairman, lauded Senator
Pope before the primary, but since
has wired congratulations to Mr.. CLARK
and promised the committees support
for the Democratic nominee.
Another political development of the
past "a hours was the announcement
by Chairman Sheppard, Democrat. of
Texas that the Senate Campaign Ex-
penditures Committee has an investi-
gator looking into complaints that two
supporters OF Senator George. Demo-
crat, of Georgia, also on the Presidents S
congressional purge" list, had been
forced to resign.
Senator George complained that
Earle Cooke, Georgia National Emer-
gency Council representative, had been
replaced because he was supporting
him for denomination.