The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-24
BY LYLE c. WILSON
United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 Washington, February "A. - CUP) The Democratic-New Deal politi- cal front was broken in half a dozen sectors today as statesmen maneu- vered for political prizes in the 1888 and 1940 elections.
 The campaign of Paul V. McNutt, high commissioner to the Philip pines and former Governor of In- diana, for the 1940 Democratic presidential nomination was judged by observers to be well underway.
 McNutt was honor guest yester- day at one of the Capitals biggest parties, 8 hotel reception arranged by Senator Sherman Mintorl, Dem ocrat, Indiana. The high commis- sioner denied that he was a candi- date for anything, but observers were content to base their judgment on the extraordinary welcome arranged here and upon the statement of Frank McHale, political strategist of the McNutt staff, when he took office January 21 as Democratic National Committeeman for Indi- ana.
 we hope" McHale said on that occasion, ito see Paul V. McNutt as president of the United States"
 Perhaps as important politically was last nights announcement by Governor A. B. ((Happy) Chandler of Kentucky that he would oppose Senator Alben w. Barkley for the Democratic senatorial nomination this year despite White House sup port of Barkley. Kentucky is one of the states in which MT. Roose- welt has intervened with pre- primary indications of his favorite candidates. That was the second major White House aid extended Barkley, who was chosen Democratic leader of the Senate last summer because MT. Roosevelt insisted he get the job. New deal prestige would suffer considerably if Ken lucky Democrats refused to renom- mate Barkley.
 Similarly, MT. Roosevelt has boost ed the renomination campaign of Senator Elmer Thomas, Democrat, Oklahoma, a loyal New Dealer whose principal objection to White House policies is that MT. Roosevelt has not gone far enough with cur rency imitation. To Representative Wesley E. Disney, Democrat, Okla homa, who contemplates opposing Thomas in the Oklahoma primaries, MT. Roosevelt suggested that it would be better to remain in the House where he could serve the peo- ple as a member of the strong ways and means committee. MT. Roose- welt not only advised Disney to that effect but said so publicly. Disney still is considering making the race in defiance of the party leader.
 Chairman John L. Lewis of the Committee for Industrial Organiza- ton has clouded bright New Deal skies in Pennsylvania by baking at State Democratic plans to nominate Charles A. Jones, Pittsburgh, for governor and Governor George H. Earle for the Senate. Lewis, claim ing 100000 labor votes in Pennsyl- vania, wants Lieutenant Governor Thomas Kennedy, CIO colleague. to have the gubernatorial nomina- tion. Flustered statesmen still are seeking here and in Harrisburg a safe path out of that difficulty.
 If Lewis upsets New Deal har- mony in Pennsylvania, he may of1- set his unfriendly action by support ing Barkley in Kentucky. The C1O leader believes that Chandler dou- le-crossed him in 1885 on all agree ment to make Harlan County, Ky. safe for the United Mine Workers Union. Lewis has been heard to say that that debt would be repaid the next time Chandler sought o1- flee. Lewis controls 8 large, norm ally Republican miners vote in east ern Kentucky.
 MT. Roosevelt boldly affronted Boss Thomas J. Pendergast of Kan sas City, Mo-, by re-nominating Maurice Milligan for four year term as United States District At torney. Milligan has convicted 50 persons of vote frauds and is plan- ming prosecution of 112 others in a violent purge of political practices in Jackson County.
 New York State politics is stirred by reports that MT. Roosevelt favors