Evening star., 1939-08-11
Comment
Continued From First PageD

was viewed here as an attempt to
block anti-New Deal candidates well
in advance of the 1910 Democratic
convention.
In fact, Senator Logan called it
"a political effort to lessen the
strength of all opposition candi-
dates He expressed disagreement
with Mr.. RooSevelt's stand because,
he said, Il think that the majority
should rule and al members of the
party should support the candidate "
Politicians were quick to note that
the President left wide open the
question OF third term. The opin-
ion has been freely expressed in both
administration and anti-New Deal
circles that he will await develop
ments Of the winter and spring be-
fore committing himself publicly on
that subject. To do so earlier, runs
the general argument, would weaken
his strategic position.
There is widespread belief in
Washington that Mr. Roosevelt is
as interested in the contents of the
next Democratic platform as he is
in the men to be chosen for the top
places on the ticket. His criticism
last night of a ''straddlebug plat
form and conservative candidates
was followed by the statement:
I do not anticipate that any such
event will take place for 1 believe
that the convention will see the po-
htical wisdom, as we'll as the national
wisdom, of giving to the voters of the
United States an opportunity to
maintain the practice and the policy
of moving forward with liberal
and humanitarian program
A similar theme has run through
the Presidents political speeches
ever since last September when he
called for continuation of liberal
policies in opposing the renomina-
ton of Senator Tydings, Democrat,
OF Maryland.
His message last night was the
third occasion this week in which
he spoke out on political and legis-
]ative issues. He declared Monday
that all the objectives of his con-
troversial court program finally had
been attained, and then criticized a
bipartisan coalition in Congress,
which he said had gambled with the
welfare of the world populations and
of domestic workers in particular
in blocking his neutrality and lend
ing programs.
The quick succession of these pro-
nouncements has led to a general
belief in political quarters here that
Mr.. Roosevelt is getting an early
start on the 1910 campaign what
ever his own role eventually may
be.
In his comment on the Presidents
message to the Young Democrats.
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah,
who has opposed many New Deal
measures, said he believed the time
has not yet come when "the Demo-
cratic party will surrender to So
cialism.'
Mr. Roosevelt didn't hesitate to
leave the party and vote for Theo-
dore Roosevelt. so he would have a
precedent for declining to take part
In the election of Democrat who
will be nominated at the next con-
vention,' Senator King said.
The party founded by Thomas
Jefferson was not Socialist party
1t was party founded on personal
liberty and the dual form of gov
ernment. There are millions of
men and women in this country who
still believe in the principles of
Jefferson. Jackson. Cleveland and
Wilson and who will not follow any
fantastic. Socialistic schemes fab
riCated by some who claim to be-
long to the party. but who never
were members of it, and some of
whom were found in other political
parties
Senator Clark of Missouri. himself
mentioned as a possible Democratic
nominee, commented: Very inter-
esting." Senator O'Mahoney, Demo-
crat. of Wyoming added to this, with
That's terrifically interesting" Both
declined to enlarge on this COM
ment.
Senator Andrews, Democrat. of
Florida couched his comment in
terms of plea for party harmony.
What We need" he said. lis to
bring the different elements of the
Democratic party together and for
get our differences SO that we can
have assurance of winning in 1910.
L am a party man and have
aided the President in everything
that l conscientiously could, but it
is impossible to agree with any one
man on everything. Any mistakes
that the President might have made.
however, have been on the side of
humanity"