Evening star., 1939-10-12
The Political Mill
Democrats Hope War Will Unite Party
And Bring Many Republicans Into Fold
0f mir attitude -

Va Jul dtIltuuSs
Despite this warning, and despite
the privately made statements by
anti-New Deal Democrats that their
present support of the Presidents
neutrality proposals does not mean
they have abandoned their opposi-
ton to the domestic policies Of the
administration, the administration
leaders are taking great comfort
from the closing of the Democratic
ranks In this fight. Only nine
Democrats voted against the ad-
ministration on the Tobey motion.
1t is possible that several other
Democrats will desert the admins
tration when the vote comes on re-
peal of the embargo-Senator Dona-
hey OF Ohio yesterday made a public
statement to the effect he would
vote mo-" In the end, however,
the Democratic showing on the
passage Of the bill is expected to be
highly satisfactory to the admins
tration.
The Democratic leaders are not
at all sure that the domestic issues
over which the Democratic Senators
and Representatives have waged
bitter tntra-party war will be re-
vived during 1910, If the European
war keeps up. whether this country
becomes involved or not. It is ex-
pected that, with the war continuing
and interest centered on the defense
OF this country's neutrality, the ad-
mlnlstration, when it makes de-
mands for large sums OF money, will
make them in the name of national
solidarity and national defense. The
appeal for the appropriations will be
along the same lines the President
asked for revision of the Neutrality
Act and the repeal of the arms en-
barge.
No Indications of Purge.
Under such circumstances, and
with demand for the adjourn.
ment OF politics." why, the Demo-
cratic leaders ask, will not the party
line up solidly back Of the presi-
dent again?
For the time being at least DEM
ocratic Senators who have been per-
soma non grata at the White House
are looked upon with approval from
that quarter. There have been no
indications that the presidential
purge, aimed at numerous Demo-
cratic Senators and some Represent
atives in the campaign of 1888 will
be revived. Whatever the desires
along such lines may be at the
White House, certainly there is
great unanimity of opinion among
all Democrats on Capitol Hill that
the President would make a great
mistake to undertake any "purges'
in 1910.
Coming for denomination and re-
election next year are at least eight
Democratic Senators who have de-
ned the President on number of
important measures. They are Burke
OF Nebraska, who has Just an
nounced his candidacy for renomi-
nation; Byrd of Virginia, Donahey
OF Ohio, Gerry of Rhode Island, Holt
OF West Virginia, King of Utah,
Walsh OF Massachusetts, and Wheel
er OF Montana. The New Dealers
will not look with equaninity, 1t is
true, upon the denomination and
reelection of many of these. sena-
tors. But will they dare to attempt
to purge them? If any attempt is
made, 1t will not be heralded to the
skies, in all probability. What hap
pened in the primaries and later in
the elections of 1888 is still fresh
in the memories of the Democratic
chieftains. 4
The Presidents blast against the
ham and eggers" in California, of
whom Senator Downey, Democrat,
is one of the chief exponents, de-
livered the day after Downey had
completed a six-hour TRADE in the
Senate against the administration
neutrality BILL aroused some COM
ment. The coincidence was immedi-
ately remarked. But Democratic
leaders sought to brush it aside with
the comment that an election is
soon to be held in California in
which the strange philosophy of
the ham and eggers" is an issue.
The President had to speak out
now, they say, or else not speak
at all.
What the Democrats hope is that
the war abroad will unite the party
as it has not been united since 1886
and that it will also bring to the
support Of the President good
many Republicans. Looking at it
effectively, it is an entirely reason
able hope.