Evening star., 1939-11-25
The Political Mill
RooseveIt-ForIey Breok Held Incredible;
New Dealers Must Make Decision on McNutt

the Navy admirably. For some
time after the death of Secretary
Swanson it was predicted that the
Office would go to Assistant Secre-
tary Edison. But the appointment
which might still be made-has
hung fire. And now it is suggested
that Mr., Edison, who comes from
New Jersey, may get into the
senatorial race there next fall. An
other suggestion was that the Presi-
dent would appoint Gov. Stark of
Missouri to the Office of Secretary
of the Navy. Gov. Stark is
graduate of the Naval Academy. But
he Is now a candidate for the
Democratic senatorial nomination
next year-against Senator Truman.
Also Gov. Stark has been mentioned
prominently as possible contender
for the Democratic presidential
nomination.
Davies Might Pull MIDI West.
Unless the President intends to
let the office of Secretary of the
Navy remain vacant for the next
year-and look after that job him
self along with the Assistant Secre-
tary-it seems likely that he will
name new Secretary by the time
Congress conVenes next January.
Mr.. Davies came originally from
Wisconsin and his appointment to
a cabinet post, it is figured, would
be a help in section of the coun-
try that the Democrats are anxious
to do well in next year-a section
where they fell down in the 1888
congressional and gubernatorial
elections.
What the New Dealers-including
the PreSident-are going to do
finally about the presidential candi-
dacy of Federal Security Admin
istrator Paul " McNutt is another
conundrum. At present Mr.. McNutt
is apparently firmly lodged in the
Presidents camp-as opposed to the
Democratic group that neither
wishes third term for the Presi-
dent nor the nomination of a New
Dealer. There seems to be a theory
that the New Dealers are likely to
throw Mr.. McNutt overheard any
time they see fit; that such a course
is likely to be followed.
Mr.. McNutt, however, is not the
kind of person who permits him
self to be thrown overheard. If any
such play should be made against
him, the New Dealers would in all
probability find they had added to
their list Of enemies very resource
full man. For Mr.. McNutt has
notwithstanding with the Indiana
delegation to the next Democratic
National Convention. His friends,
under the leadership Of Frank Nc
Hale, Democratic national commit
teeman, have conducted an active
campaign for their candidate for
many months. They have, it is said,
strong financial backing.
Must Make Decision.
So the New Dealers must deter
mine whether they are willing to
60 along with Mr.. McNutt, who is
now going along with them, or
whether they are willing to take
the change of alternating a con-
siderable bloc of Democrats. If they
follow the latter course, the anti
third term and anti-New Deal
Democrats would welcome to their
ranks Mr.. McNutt.
1t is no secret that Mr.. Farley Is
no friend to the candidacy of Mr..
McNutt. And it is continually in
sisted that the President himself
may not favor Mr.. McNutt. In the
final analysis, however, politics be-
comes very practical matter, and
the New Dealers must determine
whether to keep hands off and let
nature take its course or to sink the
Hoosier Democrat. 1t still remains
a problem-unless, of course Mr..
McNutt actually becomes the fair
haired boy of the administration.
Some of the New Dealers already
have gone over to him.