Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-03-17
National Press Building

Washington.-From this seat in
the grandstand the view is quite
clear that New
ABOUT Deal leaders are
Politics going out in this
summers prima-
ries to nominate New Dealers
against the conservative old line
Democrats. l have looked into the
local situation in a number of states
and congressional districts and ev-
erywhere the line of cleavage is
showing. And these things are hap
pening Notwithstanding the declara-
tons of Postmaster Generalization
al Committee Chairman Farley that
there will be no interference.
1t is not the purpose here to re-
port on every one of the states or
districts where the battle is impend-
ing between New Dealers and old
line Democrats. I shall attempt,
however, to outline a few of them
to establish what is going on and
how the New Dealers are maneuver-
ing to get better grip on Demo
NJ oIlS Pal W lIldCIlllcTy.
To do this clearly, it seems to me
it ought to be recalled how Presi-
dent Roosevelt and numerous of his
spokesman have threatened those
Democrats who have disagreed with
New Deal policies in any serious
way. The fight over the Presidents
plan to rebuild the Supreme court
of the United States caused a Sc
rious split in the Presidents sup
port and it was Immediately there
after that threats were forthcoming
about those who had refused to go
along on the court reorganization.
About the time that fight was in it's
most bitter stage, it will be remem-
bered, Senator Guffey of Pennsyl-
vania made a radio speech in which
he attempted to kick certain Demo-
Gratis out of the party. The White
House denied any connection with
that speech, but there were few who
believed Senator Guffey was acting
on his own initiative. That is to
say, it appeared to be New Deal
policy, for the Pennsylvania Demo
crat often has served as the mouth
piece in that way.
There was comparative quiet for
awhile, but those with ears to the
ground noted many minor rum
blings that, to the political wise,
could mean only one thing. Those
rumblings presaged another earth
quake. They are increasing in in
tensity, too. We hear them from
many directions.
Young James Roosevelt, son and
secretary of the President who is
just now serving on tour of duty as
a lieutenant colonel in the marine
corps, was in Florida last month.
While there he took occasion to say
publicly that Sen. Claude Pepper,
New Dealer, ought to be renomi-
mated and reelected. Well, Senator
Pepper is such an ardent New Deal
er that he once said if anyone want
ed to know his position all that was
needed was to ascertain Mr.. Roose-
velt's views-because he would sup
port the President on any question.
am told from sources that I
believe have an understanding of
the Florida situation that young Mr..
Roosevelt's endorsement may be
the deciding factor in a close race.
That is to say, the race was so
tight between Senator Pepper and
the able young Rep. Mark Wilcox
that one guess was as good as an
other. Now, however, Representa-
tive Wilcox is asking the voters
whether they shall determine who
their senator shall be or whether
they shall be told by the White
House. 1t is said that broad re-
sentiment already has been Great
ed; so much resentment, indeed,
that recently Mr.. Wilcox made the