Evening star., 1938-02-05
When l, Il Boom!

The presidential boom OF John L.
Lewis has been launched at last--or has
it9 Lieutenant Governor Frank J.
Hayes of Colorado, addressing the
United Mine Workers of America in
national convention, brought roar of
commendation when he said the organi-
zation had a man competent tp occupy
the White House, its own president.
Hayes added that he wished this was
national convention of the Democratic
about the nomination.
A great deal of gossip about the sup
posed presidential ambitions Of Mr..
Lewis. who has the distinction of being
of the United Mine Workers, has circu-
lated in Washington. There is nothing
on the record, however, to show either
that Mr.. Lewis has encouraged q preSi-
dental boom or that he has not. If he
wishes to be President. he must be noml-
mated and elected. And if he is to be
nominee, which political party is to
sponsor him?
Mr.. Lewis was at one time Repub-
lican. More recently he has been New
Deal Democrat. He and his organiza-
ton put up half million dollars to help
finance the 1886 campaign for the re-
election of President Roosevelt, the laTg-
est single contribution made to the Dem
ocratic campaign fund. Mr.. Lewis spoke
up sharply some months ago to remind
the President Of this aid. In fact, OH
more than one occasion Mr.. Lewis has
reminded the Chief Executive that Or
ganized labor and the c. I. o. expect
their pound OF flesh. Despite these
flashes. neither Mr.. Lewis nor the Pres
ident has failed to realize the advisability
Of sticking together. And so far they
stick. outwardly at least.
Unless there is tremendous political
upheaval. President Roosevelt will have
a great deal to say about the presiden-
tial nominee Of the Democratic party in
1910. He may even have the nomination
himself. if he wishes to try to smash the
third-term tradition. At present. Mr..
Lewis is probably not the choice OF
President Roosevelt for President OF the
United States, not by jugful. II that
be so and continues to be so III 1910, Mr..
Lewis chances for a nomination at the
hands of the Democratic party are slim
to the point of attenuation. incidentally
there are other forces in the Democratic
party which would rule Lewis out.
Barring nomination al the hands Of
the Democratic party, Mr.. Lewis might
seek nomination Of the American Labor
party, if that party becomes Nation wide
and if Mayor F. H. La Guardia Of New
York does not pre-empt that honor.
With so many ifs on the horizon, it is
entirely reasonable to wonder, after all,
whether a presidential boom for Mr..
Lewis has been launched or not
With the American Federation of La
Dor denouncing Mr.. Lewis and all his
works, 1t is difficult to see how Mr..
Lewis, even if nominated, could expect
uI1ulVlueu IdOOr support
The Lieutenant Governor of Colorado,
IN the same speech in which he present.
ed Mr.. Lewis as a presidential posi-
bility. dubbed the members of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
'sourfsced battle axes" "barnacles'
and odd scare crows" These friendly
appellations were due to the fact that
the D. A. r. had not found it convenient
to rent hall to the United Mine Work.
ers for their convention. If Mr.. Lewis
failed to agree with Mr.. Hayes about
the characteristics of the members of
the d. A. r., he refrained from mention
ing the fact. The attack, however, has
not increased the political strength of
Mr.. Lewis and his supporters An apol-
oey to the women who make up this
national patriotic organization is due,
but will it be made?