Evening star., 1938-02-24

Election OF George H. Earle as
Pennsylvania Governor in 1894
broke Republican domination OF
politics in the Keystone State for
first time in 40 years. This re-
suited from groUing hostility of or
ganized labor toUard G. O. P. re-
ginles, but Democrats, ACCORDING to
recent indications, hare been un-
aole to uork harmoniously NTH the
labor support that sUept them into
Office.
The scrambled political situation
within the Democratic ranks in Penn
sylvanla was to be laid on the White
House doorstep this afternoon when a
delegation headed by Senator Guffey.
political boss of the State, meets with
President Roosevelt
Although the bitter party fight in
Pennsylvania has many ramiications.
it is essentially showdown between
organized labor as represented b"
John L. Lewis and the strong politlc2i
machine dominated by Senator Gufcr
'AN iliS dldES
Lewis Not Declared Invited.
Associates of Mr.. Lewis at the heal
quarters of the United Mine Work7.,5
mere indicated he had not been in
vlted to attend the White House con-
ference, One official there said it was
quite possible Mr. Lewis did not
know that the conference, requested
by the Pennsylvania group. was being
held. He added, however, that he had
not talked with the C. I. o. chieftain
and could not speak definitely for him.
Aides to Senator Guffey said the
conferees probably would include
David l.. Lawrence, State chairman: J.
David Stern, Philadelphia and New
York publisher, and Matthew H. Nc
Closkey, jr., an official of the party
organization.
The visit to the President was viewed
as last-minute effort to compose the
dif1erences within the party before til
state Committee meets at Harrisburg
| tomorrow to recommend a ticket to
the Democratic electorate
Dissension among Democrats In the
State was brought into the open when
Gov. George H. Earle, FIRST Democrat
TO win the governorship in PennsyI-
Vanla in 40 years, announced he would
be candidate in November for the
seat of Senator James J.Davis, Re-
publican.
Lewis Supports Kennedy.
Mr.. Lewis, apparently with the full
support of the potent PENNSYLVANIA
labor vote, promptly insisted that 1t.
Gov. Thomas Kennedy, secretary
treasurer of the United Mine Workers.
be nominated by the Democrats as
Gov. Earle's successor. Mr.. Lewis, in
the face OF the apparent opposition of
Senator Guffey and the State machine.
has stood his ground, and there have
been intimations that Mr.. Kennedy
VIII run as an independent labor NOM
lnee should the Democratic organiza-
ton name any other candidate. Such
a split would seriously jeopardize what
has been an overwhelming Democratic
majority in recent years.
Although Mr.. Lewis has overlooked
no opportunity to advance Mr.. Ken
nedy's name, the latter has not as vet
announced himself as a candidate for
the nomination. A week ago. however,
he announced that representatives OF
labor were canvassing the political sit
uation in the State particularly with
reference to the governorship, and
that ne would have a statement to
make when that canvass was COM
pleted. He added significantly that
labor does not propose to be ignored
in matters so vitality affecting their
future security and welfare in Penn
sylvania."
State Machine Split.
Entirely aside from the dilemma
presented by Mr.. Kennedys attitude.
the Democratic State machine has
been plagued by inability to agree on
candidate among it's own members.
At conference in Harrisburg on
February l8, Senator Guffey indicated
ne would not be unreceptive to the
nomination himself. If there is to
be split, there are many who believe
he will be the organizations candidate
against Mr.. Kennedy.
Recently Senator Guffey indicated
his opposition to Charles Alvin Jones,
Pittsburgh lawyer. who had been ten
tatively slated for the nomination.
Among the half a dozen or more
better known additional candidates
who have made no secret of their am
bitions are States Attorney General
Cho r1nc
Davis Wilson of Philadelphia. In an
nouncing his candidacy Mr.. Margiotti
called for free, open and uncon-
trolled primary"
This serious threat to the solidarity
of the Democratic ranks meanwhile
has encouraged Republicans who have
been routed in the last three years.
Outstanding among the Republican
gubernatorial hopefuls are Clifford
Pinchot, twice Governor of the State,
and Superior Court Judge Arthur B.
James.
With the exception of the governor
ship, widely regarded as a potential
stepping stone to the White House,
there has been little disagreement
among the Democrats on other
nominees
The rest Of a proposed slate-Gov.
Earle for United States Senator, State
Senator Leo c. Mundy for Lieutenant
Governor and Thomas A. Logue for
reelection as secretary Of internal
affairs-apparently has met with
favor in most places.
An open primary, however, would
require suspension Of a party rule re-
quiring Endorsement of q full slate
by the State Committee. The com.
mittee has been called into session