Evening star., 1938-07-30
The Political Mill
Revolt Against New Deal Dictation Extending to
Democratic Governors in Three States

Oh Taxing ION KENNEDY, JOnn II.
Lewis right-hand man, as a Demo-
cratic gubernatorial candidate. Earle,
outside Of that one incident, has
been obedient enough. But 1t Is the
black eye which he has given the
Democratic party in Pennsylvania, the
Keystone State, the second most popu-
lous in the Union, that has aroused
criticism in Washington.
In a final effort to head of a grand
jury investigation of charges of cor
ruption brought against himself and
his administration Gov. Earle has
brought the Earle controlled legisla-
ture together and rushed through
laws to put stop to such an inquiry.
Any investigation, II he has his way,
will be made by legislative commit
tees. He may have his way, but the
chances are he will lose a consider
able amount OF prestige and lot Of
votes when all is said and done
Pennsylvania, like Ohio, is consid-
cred good Republican hunting ground
this year. The G. o. P. really be-
lieves it has chances to stage come
UdCho AL hOOkl ClACoN 2l4lPOl IollL otoVIo.
In Ohio they hope not only to elect
q Governor and a United States Sem
ator but also to elect from to Is
members of the House. The Replib-
lican delegation in the House from
Ohio in the present Congress Is ex-
actly two-the lowest ebb OF the G.
o. P. since the party had its first
victory.
Hopes Based on Foes Split.
Republican hopes in Ohio-very
much as in Pennsylvania-are based
on the terrific split in the Demo-
cratic party, with one faction Sup
porting Gov. Davey and the other
the anti-Davey and pro-New Deal
faction backing Charles Sawyer, for
mer Lieutenant Governor. They be-
lieve that whichever candidate wins
the gubernatorial nomination-Davey
or Sawyer-the resentment Of the
supporters of the other will make a
Democratic victory IN November i'm
possible Polls taken in Ohio also
indicate that the popularity of Presl-
dent Roosevelt has slipped bit-not
enough to turn the tide actually
against him but enough to give the
New Dealers something to think
about
Against these factors giving en-
couragement to the Republicans must
be considered the huge relief eX-
penditures which the Democratic ad-
ministration will make in Ohio be-
tween now and November. 1t is eSti-
mated that there are 260,000 persons
on work relief rolls in the State to-
day, and that there are another 120,-
600 persons receiving direct relief.
These reliefers will vote Democratic,
1t is said, almost to man or woman.
Unless there is real revulsion of
political sentiment, and unless the
Democratic strife goes tremendously
deep. 1t will be very difficult for the
G. o. P. candidates to overcome this
advantage accruing to the Democrats
because Of dispensing relief.
Money Is Talking.
More and more it becomes ap-
parent as the congressional campaign
advances that big money guns are
on the side Of the Democrats. Their
campaign speakers relate the num-
ber of hundreds of millions of dollars
they have been able to get for their
individual States. The crowds at
tending their political meetings cheer
every mention of MONEY and Federal
spending. Economy talk draws only
silence or half-hearted applause.
1t is this money spending that makes
the Republicans hesitant to predict
success even in places where usually
their candidates would have more
than an even chance. In States like
Kentucky where the Republicans
have been able to elect Governors
and Senators now and then when
there has been split in the Demo-
cratic ranks-no one speaks of pos
sible Republican success at the polls
next fall The Republicans only look
forward to victory in States which in
the old days were overwhelmingly
for the G. o. P.-and even in those
States there is great lack Of actual
confidence on their part.