Evening star., 1938-07-31
NJ 'ADOO TERMED
'CARPET-BACCER'
Democrats Wage Bitter
Fight as Senate Probers
Head Into State.
By the Associated Press.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 3o.-The
epithets, "carpet-bagger" and "po-
litical hitch-hiker," hurled at Sena-
tor William Gibbs McAdoo by other
Democratic stalwarts, tonight stirred
anew a pre-primary battle that was
veering toward Senate Campaign Com
mittee investigators.
Pro and anti McAdoor forces were
reported lining up for q word tilt
before the public as two Senate COM
mittee Investigators headed into the
State to hear charges that Senator
McAdoo had assessed" Federal job
holders per cent Of their annual
salaries for his campaign fund.
The charges were made by two Of
Senator McAdoo's primary opponents,
John w. Preston and James w. Mel
len, after President Roosevelt, in pass
ing through the State, expressed hope
Senator McAdoo, 74-year-old New Deal
supporter, would be reelected to the
Senate.
Behind the charge lay deep-seated
desire of many State Democratic lead
ers to strip Senator McAdoo OF his
power over the State party organiza-
ton and his influence in Washing
ton.
Preston Voiced CHARGES.
Mr.. Preston. who has pledged him.
self to support Roosevelt social bet
terment" measures. while vowing never
to be a rubber stamp in the SEN
ate. first voiced the charges several
days ago. Mr.. Mellon, a Jefferson
ian" Democrat with dislike for jim
Farley. passed the charge on to the
Senate Campaign Committee.
Senator McAdoo, campaigning ex-
tensively despite receipt Of the presi-
Dental boost. heatedly denied the
charge and asked the Senate Commit
tee to investigate campaign fund
sources of other California senatorial
aspirants as well as his own.
Although the investigators had not
yet arrived, all hands got ready for
an expected public hearing.
Also poundign heavily at the Nc
Also pounding heavily at the Nc
avoWed New Deal supporter, has sought
the Democratic nomination on a plat
form embracing the Townsend pen
sion plan, higher incomes for farmers
and workers. monetary reform and
adequate relief" and liberal treat
ment of war veterans.
Challenged McAdoo.
Mr.. Downey has kept out OF the
campaign fund embroglio but several
weeks ago challenged Senator Nc
Adoo to give Californians an ac-
count OF his stewardship.
A former Senator McAdoo ally, Mr..
Peirson Hall, referred to the Senator
as a political hitch-hiker." assert
ing he attached himself to his distin-
guished father-in-law, Woodrow Will
son. and to President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Preston. who left the State
Supreme bench to successfully prose-
cute by presidential appointment the
Governments Elk Hills oil lease re-
covery case, termed Senator McAdoo
"a carpetbagger in California poll
tics"
William G. McAdoo is the biggest
political mistake of the generation. i"
said Mr. Preston. He has gone to the
Senate not to serve the people Of the
State but to build up a vicious, per-
sonal political machine"
O'Connor Is In Race.
An eight-way race for the Demo-
cratic gubernatorial nomination also
has contributed to teh confusion with
in the party, which has top-heavy
majority Of the registered voters.
| Among the cotnenders who have made
extensive campaigns are J. F. T.
O'Connor, former Controller of the
Currency; Representative John F.
Wockweiler. State Senator Culbert L.
Olson and Senator McAdoo's former
law partner, Col. William H. Neblett.
Gov Frank F. Merriam and 1t.
Gov. George Hatfield are seeking the
Republican gubernatirial nomination.
Featuring the Republican senatorial
race are State Railroad Commissioner
Ray L. Riley and Philip Bancroft. =
prominent farmer. who would curb
union racketeering
Less than q month Of campaigning
remains before the August 80 primary
balloting.