Evening star., 1938-09-11

SnOulQ De nappy
augury for the
c,. -. ,.;...,... minority party
leave it 70 Dr.
Glenn Frank to explain.
Actually the result of the primary
merely showed that the South Caro-
linians preferred the circus perform
ance Of their picturesque old reaction
airy to the arguments of Gov. Johnston.
There were. Of course, such complicat-
ing elements as the feud between Ed
gar Brown. who had many followers,
and the Governor. Browns withdrawal
from the race undoubtedly brought
Senator Smith lot more votes than he
a majority of the voters Of the State
did not concur In the Presirent's de-
sires was as significant in the total of
national affairs, as II he had pro-
nounced against cOrn-bread for break
fast, and the people continued on their
usual diet. He never attempted to die
tate how they should vote, but merely
expressed his own preference, and gave
his reasons for not wishing 80 pro-
nounced = foe Of his policies to be in
the National Legislature. Unquestion-
ably Gov Johnston received more
votes than II the President had re-
manned aloof even though they were
not enough to break the habit OF voting
for Cotton Ed.
In these contests the advantage lies
always with the incumbent. This was
demonstrated on the liberal side by the
return OF Senator Pepper Of Florida
and Alben Barkley from Kentucky, de-
spite the circumstance that these two
had formidable opposition by popular
candidates. 1t was shown on the other
side by the denomination OF Senator
Gillette Of Iowa, whom the nti-admin-
istration people claimed as one of their
own. though Gillette as we'll as his
competitor both insisted that they were
real New Dealers. The defeat of Sem
ator Pope In Idaho was = different
story. for under the peculiar laws Of
that State Republicans could come in
on . Democratic primary-which they
did and naturally voted enthusiastic
cally for the anto-administratio ton sena-
torial candidate
No New Deal Issue in California.
The mischance that beset Senator
McAdoo in California was likewise
different story. There was no qpestion
in the McAdoo- -Downey primary of New
Deal and anti-New Deal The incum-
bent Senator was caught in one of those
pension tidal waves 50 prevalent out
there. His adversary indorsed . modi-
flcation Of the Townsend plan with
sales tax stamp trimmings. Under its
provisions everybody over 50 who is
neither An employer nor is employed
Is. to get a permanent income of $50
q week. According to the California
Chamber Of Commerce there are Sl1,-
900 the State eligible for such a PEN
sion. In vain was adduced the argu-
ment that the project, if adopted, would
bankrupt the State. The lure of $50
= week overcame even the influence OF
Roosevelt backing for the Senator.
BY and large. the complexion Of the
next Congress does not appear as likely
to be materially changed by the pri-
mary results so far, or those in pros
pect. Presumably the anti-New Deal
Senators who will be reelected will
continue to operate as they did during
the last session. The majority friendly
to the administration will go on as
usual. There will be a new face here
and there, but in no case 50 far has
= liberal Democratic Senator given
place in the primaries to q declared
conservative. Indeed, in nearly every
instance, the contender in the NOM
ination fight has protested against
being classed Is . foe of the New
Deal.
In the House Of Representatives the
situation will not be conspicuously dif-
ferent. About % per cent of the old
Democratic members who sought re-
nomination have been successful.
Among the members who have declined
to accept the chances Of the coming
election Pettengill Of Indiana and
Smell Of New York, the minority leader,
are conspicuous. The case of Smell Is of
special significance IS indicating the
actual view Of the G. O. P. as to the
future prospects Of that party. He has
during his whole political life cherished
the ambition to become Speaker in q
Republican House Of Representatives.
That he has abandoned that goal at
this stage of events tells the story of
his idea Of what the immediate fu-
ture-which means not only 1888 but
l940-holds In store for his party.
Republicans Making No Claims.
Ordinarily at this season of a cam
paign year the spokesmen of the two
big parties are announcing their
claims, and presenting their recital
Of events that give validity to their
claims. I have looked in vain amid
the huge junk heap of Republican
propaganda. statements by leaders and
that sort OF thing. for any expression
Of delight at the auguries Of the elec-
ton. They present cheers at the SUBJ
sdtution of one Democrat for another
in the majority party primaries, as If
those primaries represented Repub-
lican victories. That, in itself, is an
entertaining feature in an otherwise
featureless campaign.
They cannot vaunt the registration
figures, for these everywhere show
great gains for Democrats and usually
recessions for the other fellows.
In short they have adopted the de-
featist attitude. They are not striving
to elect their own people generally,
but are content to play the part usually
taken by extra-party groups Of striv-
ing to be 4 balance Of power In the
affairs of the dominant party. The par
tcipation of Republicans in Demo-
cratic primaries, wherever it was pos
sible for them to Jimmy their way in,
illustrates the process.
Band to Give Four Concerts