Evening star., 1938-02-25
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

HARRISBURG, Feb. 25.-Four short
years ago the Keystone State was re-
garded as Republican stronghold
still one of the six States that had stuck
to Herbert Hoover in 1892. The situa-
ton today is vastly different. The Re-
publicans have one United States Sena-
tor and seven members Of the House
The Democrats have all the rest of the
big congressional delegation, not to
mention the Governor and the State
ohices. And notwithstanding the row
in. the Democratic ranks, Republican
nominations this year are scarcely at
premium. Only two candidates have
50 far offered themselves for the Re-
publican gubernatorial nomination, for
mer Gov. Clifford Pinchot and Judge
Arthur H. James of the State Superior
Court. For the senatorial nomination
no one has yet come forward, although
the party primary is to be held May IT,
two and half months hence.
Senator James j. Davis, Republican
incumbent, has so far issued no state
ment about his future political plans.
It is generally expected that he will
eventually declare himself a candidate
for reelection, although even that is
not entirely certain. And If he does, it
is believed he will get the nomination by
default.
Republican chances in this State are
not particularly bright, judging from
surface indications. The Guffey- Earle
Lawrence organization has functioned
successfully and brought the bacon home
time after time in the last four years.
That it can be successfully challenged
this year is extremely doubtful. A good
deal will depend upon economic condi-
tiohs next fall-and also upon the at
titude which John L. Lewis and his c..
I. O. take. 1t is possible that William
Green and his American Federation Of
Labor may decide to take Republican
slant, particularly if Pinchot should be
nominated for Governor.
Take 1t by and large, labor in this
State has obtained every thing 1t has
asked Of the Earle administration That
labor will throw in with the Republicans
in view Of the record of the Democrats
in support of labor legislation is more
than doubtful. Pennsylvania is a great
industrial State, and the labor vote is
numerous and effective. In addition,
there are plenty, and probably will be
plenty, OF voters on relief rolls.
Judge James Is the choice, it is said
OF the Republican organization for the
gubernatorial nomination. Pinchot, who
has never been an organization man al
though he has twice been elected Cover
nor in the past. has a good record with
labor. James, on the other hand, was
at one time a coal miner himself and is
believed to be as strong as If not stronger
than Pinchot in the mining sections,
where. Pinchot used to roll up a big vote.
Furthermore, labor generally is voting
Democratic in Pennsylvania these days,
and this is likely to give the organization
candidate lead over Pinchot.
Observers feel that If Pinchot could
win the nomination, he would give the
Democratic nominee for Governor
better race than would James in the No.
vember election. The trouble, however.
is to nominate Pinchot The former
Governor, despite his u years, is ready
to wage an old-time, hammer and tones
campaign throughout the State. At least
the organization will know that it has
been in battle before the votes are all
counted in the Republican primary.
Senator Davis, if he becomes the Re-
publican nominee for the Senate, viii
f1nd himself opposed by Gov. Earle In
November. A Governor OF PENNSYLVANIA
has a vast amount of patronage-some
10000 Jobs, exclusive of relief jobs. This
in itself is tremendous aid before the
campaign gets under way. Earle has
his enemies. Davis has in the past
been a good vote getter. His labor rec
ord-he was once an iron puddler and
later was Secretary of Labor In the
cabinets Of Harding and Coolidge-has
been a big help in the past. He will.
however. have tough job on his hands
II ne goes up against the present
Governor.
The announcement by Gov. Happy"
Chandler Of Kentucky that he will seek
the Democratic nomination for Sena-
tor against Senator Alben w. Barkley,
the Democratic leader of the Upper
House, has made 1t sure that the Blue
Grass State will have plenty of political
fireworks this spring and summer. The
primary does not come until August
Barkley, as leader of the Senate, must
stay in Washington and attend to his
Job while Chandler Is ranging over the
state. AS In other States, a Governor
OF Kentucky has an opportunity to
erect a strong political organization.
That. 1t is said, Chandler has done.
Efforts OF President Roosevelt to call
on Gov. Chandler and to leave the
Senate race open to Senator Barkley
proved entirely unavailing. The Presi-
dent already has taken a stand for
Barkley. sending a message of praise
to Barkley through his Secretary Mar
vim Mcintyre, which was read at big
State rally in honor Of the senior Sena-
tor. If Barkley should be defeated
Barkley. whom the President chose for
Democratic leader of the Senate over
Senator Pat Harrison Of Mississippi-it
will be rather bitter pill for the ad-
ministration. It is the kind of a pill
however. which frequently comes to
President when he undertakes to in
terfere in party rows out In the States
barkley Is q good campaigner and he
is long way yet from defeat at the
hands Of Chandler. He will, 1t is pre-
sumed, continue to have the support of
the President, which should be worth
q good deal to him. Roosevelt is very
popular in the State.
4 ~
Paul v. McNutt, the young Lochinvar
who has come out of the Middle West
Indiana. to be exact-has made q con-
siderable splurge in the field Of national
politics. A good deal Of fun has been
poked at him because Of the Huge recep-
tion which was staged by Senator Milton
Maydower Hotel on Wednesd&y-a re-
- l~t> $>s- - L.