Evening star., 1938-07-13
HOOsier HARMONY.

The Democrats of Indiana, on the
theory that they must have harmony
and united front even if it is painful,
yesterday renominated Senator Freder-
lex Van Nuys. The need of harmony, 1t
is well understood, grew out Of the presi-
Dental ambitions Of Paul v. McNutt.
The success of Senator Van Nuys, who
had been slated for slaughter by the
Roosevelt New Dealers, is a remarkable
demonstration of the manner in which
Democratic State organization can
slip from under the thumb of the White
House, even if the White House is oc-
cupied by a Roosevelt. It should tell a
story to the New Dealers and the
purge" committee in Washington.
Whether they are sufficiently perspi-
cacious to get the drift remains to be
seen.
Senator Van Nuys on the surface is
the big winner. He comes through with
q denomination by the Democrats. He
retains his independence of spirit and
gets another six-year term-in all prob
ability-to continue to vote his own con-
victions in the Senate instead of those
of Franklin D. Roosevelt. At the same
time. Mr.. Van Nuys enters the McNutt
fold. It is understood that the Senator
will support the former Governor and
present United States Commissioner in
the Philippines for the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination in 1910. So MIR. Nc
Mutt gains also. For Mr.. Van Nuys,
after he and Mr.. McNutt had been sue
eessful at the polls in 1932-one for the
Senate and the other for Governor
broke with McNutt. Now. it appears, he
is back in line.
The Hoosier Democrats would like
very much to nominate Mr.. McNutt for
President and have him elected. Only
two years intervene between today and
the Democratic National Convention.
The Hoosiers are looking two years for
ward. That explains the attitude Of
Governor Townsend and Of Senator
Minton, both ardent supporters Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and all his works. Moth
ing, probably. could have been more dis
tressing to Senator Minton than the re-
nomination Of his colleague, Senator
Van Nuys. But like a good soldier, the
Junior Senator from Indiana smothered
his real feelings and swallowed the Van
Nuys denomination.
In the United States outside of In
diana there will be much rejoicing be-
cause Van Nuys has been renominated.
There is an honest respect for Sena-
tor who has the courage to speak and
vote according to his own belief. Sena-
tor Van Nuys was an early leader among
the Democrats in opposition to Presi-
dent Roosevelt's plan to increase the
membership of the Supreme Court. And
even during the fight over that measure
he was threatened by the 100 per centers
with political extinction. Many persons
outside of Indiana will not care whether
Mr.. Van Nuys is saved only because Of
the ambitions OF Mr. McNutt. They will
be pleased because he has been retained
in the Senate, where a spirit of inde-
pendence has been too rare in recent
years.
BY saving Senator Van Nuys, Paul
McNutt will have gained friends, even
though he risk the displeasure of the
White House and the inner circle of the
New Dealers. Perhaps he has reached
the conclusion that he will have to fight
for the presidential nomination against
this same New Deal inner circle In any
event, harmony in Indiana, with a 1910
delegation heart and soul for McNutt,
appeared to be the prime need.