Evening star., 1938-04-25
VOTE NF[0R|DA
ROOSEVELT TEST
Senator Pepper Will Face
Four Opponents a Week
From Tomorrow.

By the Associa' S.
Florida's primary election con-
test for the Democratic senatorial
nomination may provide the first real
test of the Roosevelt administrators
popularity at the polls this year.
The Florida Democrats will ballot
a week from tomorrow. Primaries in
Alabama and South Dakota will be
held the same day. and two more
in Pennsylvania and Oregon-will fol-
low late in May.
None of these, however. now ap-
pears likely to furnish such clear
test of administration strength as will
that in Florida.
James Roosevelt, son and secretary
OF the President. announced in Flor
ida several weeks ago that I'VE" would
like to see Senator Claude Pepper re-
turned to office. He did not define
I'VE" but President Roosevelt never
has revoked the Endorsement.
Has Four Opponents.
Senator Pepper. who has supported
New Deal measures, is opposed for
the nomination by Representative j.
Mark Wilcox; Dave Sholtz, former
Governor; T. c. Merchant, weekly
newspaper publisher, and Finley
Moore of Lake City.
Mr.. Wilcox has been a frequent
critic Of administration policies. He
opposed wage-hour legislation and the
Government reorganization BILL and
was an OutSpoken foe of the court
bill
Mr.. Sholtz has been New Deal
advocate, and shortly before young
Roosevelt indorsed Senator Pepper
said he believed the national admin
iStration would take no part in the
race
Last week Mr.. Sholtz charged the
Works Progress Administration in
Florida was loading relief rolls with
political workers, and telegraphed
w. P. A. Administrator Harry Hopkins
that scandal was developing.
Hiring of Wife Protested.
At the same time Mr.. Wilcox said
he had protested to Washington
against employment by the Florida
w. P. A. of Mrs. R. L. DoWling of
Tallahassee, wife Of the State con-
servation commissioner.
The Democratic senatorial contest
IN South Dakota, although involving
three candidates friendly to the ad-
ministration, has a slight conserva-
tive-liberal coloring
Senator Hitchcock. an administra-
ton hacker. is opposed by former Gov.
Tom Berry, wealthy cattleman. and
by Representative Fred H. Hide
brandt Political dopesters have pre-
dicted Mr.. Berry would get considerable
conservative Democratic support.
The Republican senatorial primary
In that State has drawn four con-
testants: Gov Leslie Jensen, Chan
Gurney of Yankton, one-time unsuc-
cessful nominee against Democratic
Senator Bulow: Paul Bellamv. Rapid
City business man, and George DAN
forth, Sioux Falls attorney.
No Contest in Alabama
The Alabama senatorial primary
provides no contest. Senator Lister
Hill, who was appointed after defeat
ing former Senator Heflin in a special
party contest in January, is unop-
posed for the nomination
Indiana will have a primary elec-
ton May to select delegates to June
conventions at which senatorial nomi-
nees will be chosen. The name of
Senator Frederick Van Nuys, who has
lost the support of the State Demo-
cratic organization, may be placed
formally before the partys conven-
ton. but Senator Van Nuys himself
says he has no chance of winning the
nomination and will run instead as
an independent
The most bitterly-fought political
battle of May will be in Pennsylvania.
There the regular State organization
headed by Democratic Chairman
David j. Lawrence is opposing the
combined forces of Senator Joseph
Guffey and Labor Leader John L.
Lewis.
In the May 20 primary in Oregon
issues are more local than national
In Importance. Senator Reames,
Democrat. appointed to succeed SEN
ator Steiwer. Republican, who re-
signed. has eliminated himself from
the race.