The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-12

Ninety per cent of the movie industry is vigorously pro-Roose- welt. This includes actors, screen writers, technicians. But the heads of the industry are not. They are violently opposed.
 Bell-wether of the antis is Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro Gold wyn-Mayer, close friend of Her. bert Hoover'S, and the gentleman who led the crusade against Up- ton Sinclair's EPIC. Mayer has favored close cooperation between the movies and the Republican National Committee, was one of those who helped put Will Hays, former COP chairman, in as czar of the movie industry.
 One reason for Hollywood's staunch New Dealism is the mem- ory of the film moguls demanding actors, technicians, writers to contribute a percentage of their salary to aid Governor Merriam against Sinclair.
 ''Mr. DOoley's" Son
 Since November 8 the movie moguls have been dangling far out on the po'A.ical limb. Before the election they faced a Demo- cratic administration in Washing ton but could not console them selves with a Republican admin iStration in California.
 This is one reason for bring ing Jimmy Roosevelt into the picture now. The election also has had another interesting re- suit. It has thrown into the foreground hitherto unknown young screen writer, Phil Dunne who is now the political high mucky-muck of Hollywood. Son of the famous Finley Peter Dunne, author of MT. Dooley" and that famous wisecrack, "The Supreme Court always follows the election returns" Phil Dunne was Hollywood manager of Governor OlsOn'S campaign.
 At that time, Hollywood moguls were none too pleased with his activity. But now that his man is in the governors chair, they are asking Dunne for all sorts of favors in Sacramento.
 "The Dead Committed
 They are still quoting Harold Ickes around Los Angeles as a result of his visit last October.
 One such quote is Ickes' reply to an inquiry for his opinion of the Dies committee investigation.
 'Tt is much better" he replied "tO refer to it in the past tense." Ham-and-EggS Senator
 Those who expect California's new Ham-and-Egg Senator to be another Huey Long are going to be disappointed.
 Sheridan Downey is a sincere. shy idealist. He is no back-slapper or hustlings-haranguer. He works unobstrusively, reads a lot, has little to say.
 In Sacramento during a recent meeting of Democratic political moguls, of whom Dewey was the most important, the new Senator slipped quietly into the hotel. avoided greeters, did not even take the elevator.
 In Washington it is probable that he will lie low, work hard, say little until he gets his legis- lative feet firmly on the ground. Ham-and-Eggs Advice
 Here is the advice given Sheri- dan Downey by one of his close friends, astute Manchester Boddy of The Los Angeles News.
 "When you go to Washington, Sheridan" said BOddy, don't forget the way a bear climbs tree. He never takes his hind legs off the lower limb until he gets his front paws firmly around the limb above.
 "The lower limb of California is firm foundation of agricul- ture, shipping, mining and com merce. Let's not take our feet off that lower limb until we have our hands around a solid limb above"
 NOTE-In Washington Downey is expected to work for moderate modification of the present Social Security Act, shun Thirty Dollars Every Thursday.
 Judge Ben Lindsey
 Judge Ben B. Lindsey, crusad- ing juvenile court judge from Denver who was elected Superior Court judge of Los Angeles by the biggest vote ever given, is contin- uing his crusade for children.
 Though boxed out of the Los