Evening star., 1939-04-24
+Anti-Rooseve|t Bloc
Leadership Refused
By Garner
Limits Conversations
With President to Jests
About Weather
81 the Associated Press.

D. the Associated Press.
Vice President Garner was re-
ported by friends today to have de-
clined to assume leadership over
anti-Roosevelt Democrats in the
Senate.
These informants said that Mr.
Garner, maintaining friendly rela-
tions with the White House since
the session started, has decided
to keep a hands-of attitude in any
argument between the President and
his critics in Congress.
Early in the session, there were
indications that Mr. Garner might
act as a behind-the- Strate-
gist against various administration
spending proposals. Since then,
however. he has been discussed
widely as possible presidential
candidate in 1910. Senate sources
said this has placed him in a posi-
ton where it would appear that he
was striving for personal advantage
If he actively opposed presidential
policies.
In former years, Mr.. Garner has
spoken his mind freely at cabinet
meetings. On more than one oc-
casiSn he has been credited with
organizing Capitol opposition to New
Deal proposals.
In recent months, it was reported
rnliohlN 1o hoe tot
committal attitude in cabinet ses-
slons and has limited his CONVEX
satlonS with the President to casual
Jests about the weather. the base
ball prospects of the Washington
Senators, and the date of congress
sional adjournment.
Mr.. Garner and Postmaster Cen
eral Farley, meanwhile, are putting
their heads together with great reg
ularlty. The two had lunch with a
group of friends and went to the
opening baseball game together last
Friday. They will pick up their
conversation this week where they
dropped it at the baseball park.
What lies back Of those long talks
Is likely to provide material for
political gueSSerS for some time.
Both Mr.. Garner and MI. Farley are
well schooled in the art of saying
nothing in public, although given to
straight talking and -the-board
dealing in private. Both are adept
at negotiation.
Boundaries of Conversation.
Certain obvious pacts mark off the
boundaries of their conversations:
1t is IA months until the Democratic
National Convention, at which a
presidential candidate will be named
Mr.. Farley as well as Mr.. Garner
has received mention as a possible
contender.
Mr.. Garner has taken no apparent
notice of the efforts by friends in
his behalf and associates do not
expect him to change that policy at
any time in the near future.
Mr.. Farley, as chairman of the
Democratic National Committee and
Postmaster General for six years.
has developed wide friendships as
the chief patronage dispenser of the
administration. He has conducted
four national campaigns, three of
them ground-g gaining achievements
for the Democrats. He will have a
prominent part in the 1910 conven-
ton.
Names are Linked.
The names of Mr.. Garner and
Mr.. Farley have been linked fire.
quently in the presidential specula-
ton. Sometimes one is put first on
a speculative ticket, and again the
other
Yet many politicians are question:
Ing whether either of the men is
thinking very seriously about gun
ming for the presidency for himself.
Both could be expected to appraise
carefully all the odds against them
before going after the nomination.
Furthermore, much might depend
on President Roosevelt's attitude.
Several Senators predicted last week
that he might be drafted for re-
nomination, especially if European
conditions are critical next year.