The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-10-31

fpr 1040.
 The Roosevelt-Lewis political paftnership which developed during the first New Deal administration into firm and mutually valuable connection in 1886 has been weak ening for some time.
 Lewis last night published 6 let ter written in his capacity as chair man of Labor;s Non-Partisan league to Gov. Culbert L. Olson of Cali fcrnia, denouncing a proposed con- ference of Progressive leaders of II western states on grounds, among others, that there were secret plans to use the conference to launch a Roosevelt third term movement.
 Philip Dunne Answers
 In Los Angeles, Philip Dunne, provisional secretary of the pro- posed conference of western Pro- gressives, said that If Lewis finds . third term bogy under his bed to- night 1t was not placed there by the western states conference"
 s"We are interested in issues, not candidates" Dunne said.
 The states involved with 65 elec- toral votes are California, Washing ton, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Mon- tAna, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona. Lewis said labor's Non- Partisan league officials in those states had been instructed to boycott the conference. Dunne said that he hoped Lewis would withdraw his opposition.
 " Thinks Roosevelt Out
 Lewis sharp repudiation of the whole project and eager acceptance of the idea that MT. Roosevelt is out of the 1940 race combined to suggest he would back another horse next year-and the only person re- ferred to in the letter in unquali- tiedly favorable terms was Wheeler. scLewis' support has been called by some persons more a liability than an asset. But he has a following and was able three years ago to ante hundreds of thousands of dol- lars for the Democratic campaign. There was no criticism of MT. Roosevelt in his letter. But he significantly absolved him of lnowl- edge or approval of a third term program in language which seemed to indicate that the CIO was look ing elsewhere for political cham picn.
 ssaAside from his recent public ut terances," Lewis wrote. "his rebuke to Secretary Wallace through a White House secretary. Stephen Early, should carry conviction"
 No Other Construction
 No other construction under the Circumstances Is likely to be put here on that reference to 6 White House disclaimer of Wallaces re- cent third term proposal than that Lewis intended to notify all con- cerned that he did not consider MT. Roosevelt an available candidate for next years Democratic presidential xomination. Other political observ- CTS here view the presidents posi- ton somewhat differently, hold that he may or may not desire a third term but must be reckoned as a potential and wholly available can- didate until he takes himself out of khe contest-if he does.
 Charges of Lewis
 Lewis charged to Olson that two members of the sub-cabinet were organizing the western conference with third term objectives. He named Norman N. Littell. assistant ,x<x kAn c oftn,v,av, esanaro1 ona May shall E. Dimock, second assistant secretary of labor. He raised the question whether their political ac- ltivity violated the Hatch clean pol- 1tics bill. Sen. Carl A. Hatch, D.. N. M., said such activities as charged would violate the spirit of his bill although both Littell and Dimock might be exempted under the provision which permits free dom of action to policy-making fed- eral ofIicials.
 Dimock refused comment on Lewis letter. Littell was not avail able when the United Press sought Q statement.
 Objections to the conference by Lewis included complaint that its organizers were acting surrepti- tiously, that its finances were doubtful, that labor was excluded from helping form the platform.
 Capitals Eye Is Caught
 But the objection that caught Washington,s eyes was this:
 The slight to Sen. Burton K. Wheeler and other great liberals in the west who have not been con- oulted and who were slated to be excluded from the conference"
 Wheeler acknowledged last night merely that he had heard rumors of the proposed conference, insisted he knew nothing of Lewis state- ment and said he thought . group 0f over-zealous young men were try ing to organize Q draft-Roosevelt movement. Others denied knowledge of the conference or insisted they know of it only vaguely.
 Wheeler Interests
 Possibility that Wheeler would peek the 1940 Democratic presiden- tial nomination has interested Washington for some time and Lewis selection of him alone among other western progressives to men- ton. by name in the letter to Ol- non will intensity speculation over Wheeler's plans.
 The senator broke with MT. Roosevelt on the question of su- Drome court reorganization and as- -.--ss.z<.--=---- =