Evening star., 1938-09-03
LEADERS PONDER
LIBERAL STAND
Cross-Party Position Of
Roosevelt Draws Fire
From Both Sides.
Hy the Associated Press


President Roosevelt's avowed favor
for liberal" candidates, even II Re-
publican, set politicians to speculatinR
today on the possibility of cross-party
activity by the White House in the fall
congressional campaigns.
While the President said in dis.
cussing the subject at his press con-
ference yesterday that he was talking
about principles and not specific can
didates, his statement that "the good
Of the country rises above party"
created these questions:
, Would he seek to give practical eff
feet to the assertion by approving the
candidates. of other than Democratic
party members?
In race between a Republican he
considered liberal and a Democrat
he viewed as conservative" would he
espouse the candidacy of the Repub-
ncan?
Mr.. Roosevelt's summation Of the
principle involved was that he had not
"the slightest objection" to election Of
a good liberal" running on Repub-
lican ticket, and he said he thought
such man would serve the country
better than q conservative" Demo-
crat.
Quick Reaction Stirred.
The statement stirred quick reaction
in both Republican and Democratic
quarters.
John Hamilton, Republican national
chairman, challenged the Presidents
conception Of liberalism" saying "the
true Republicans running for Congress
this year are liberals and most of the
Democrats seeking reelection are
not"
He declared he could not believe
that Mr.. Roosevelt actually means
what he says, because If he does his
statement constitutes reputation Of
the New Deal and large number OF
his followers on Capitol Hill
True liberals, today as always" Mr..
Hamilton said. ARE those making q
determined fight against the centrali-
zation Of governmental powers in one
man"
Victor Harding. secretary Of the
Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee, which aids Democrats
nominated to the House, made this
statement:
THE Democratic National Congress
Sional Campaign Committee has taken
and will take no part in any primary
or nomination convention As soon
as candidate is nominated for Repre- =
sentative in Congress this committee
! considers him to be the choice OF the
democratic voters of the particular
district involved and the committee
will do everything in its power to as
sist in the campaign to secure his
election
Logan for Party Plan.
Senator Logan, Democrat, Of Ken
lucky. usually strong supporter Of
the Presidents views, said he believed
in staying within party lines This
is necessary, he said, to maintain party
responsibility in government.
If the Democrats of a State choose
conservative" Senator Logan added,
4 would be for his election in pref
erence to the Republicans choice"
At his home in New Albany, Ind,
Senator Minton. Democrat, of Indiana,
commented after hearing excerpts
from Mr.. Roosevelts remarks: II
don't know about that; I'm in favor Of
the Democrats"
Members Of the presidential party
include Postmaster General Farley,
Gov. Harry Nice of Maryland, Senator
Duffy Of Wisconsin. Representatives
David j. Lewis. T. Alan Goldsborough
and Stephen w. Gambrill.
Gov. Nice will go as far as Morgan
town with the presidential party and
then return to Annapolis. He will
meet the party again Monday at
Matapeake and remain with it while
| the President is in Maryland There
/ is a possibility that H. c. "Curley"
Byrd, president of Maryland Univer-
sity. will join the party at Crisfeld,
his birthplace, it was said at the White
House.
( Mr.. Roosevelt will go into Maryland
| this week end in an effort to bolster
the opposition to Senator Millard +.
Tydings and strengthen the ranks Of
Senator Tydings' New Deal opponent,
Representative David j. Lewis.
Mr.. Roosevelt will return to Wash
ington late Monday and will leave the
Capital a few hours later for Hyde
Park, N. Y, to spend several days.