Evening star., 1940-09-29
New York Campaign
To Be Bitter, AI-0ut
Battle for Presidency
Each Party Reolizes
Ii Must Have State
To Win, Means to Get 1t
BY Special Correspondent of The Star.

a
NEW YORK, Sept. 28.-The po-
litical battle of New York State will
be launched in earnest next week.
While the local Democratic forces
have gained slight advantage in
the skirmish stages, the State still
is doubtful, with ultimate victory<
for either side depending on the
developments of the remaining
weeks.
The Republican attack to Wrest
the Empire States Al electoral votes
from the Democratic column for the
first time since 1923 started tonight
with the speech of Wendell L. Will
kie at the party's convention at
White Plains. Yesterday the State
Convention nominated a strong slate
headed by Bruce Barton for Senator.
Concluding his first speaking tour
in the West and flying back East 10
address the convention the Repub-
lican nominee started in person the
active campaign which his party
plans to wage here. The Republic
cans are confident they can over-
come whatever Democratic advan-
tage may exist at present.
The Democratic zero hour" will
be Monday when the party holds its
State convention in New York City.
Gov. Herbert H. Lehman and Sena-
tor Mead, who will be renominated
at that time, will speak and are eX-
pected TO sound the signal for Q
general attack on all fronts.
Early Victories Recorded.
To date the local campaign has
been one Of feeling out the enemy'
and completing organizational de-
tails. In this initial stage, the Dem
ocrats have scored strategic, AL
though not decisive, successes over
the Republicans.
In addition, the Democrats appear
to be better equipped to face the
frenzied drive of the closing weeks
Of the campaign Leo by Edward
j. Flynn, Democratic national chair.
man and BrOlX leader. and support
ed by the strong Brooklyn organiza-
ton OF Frank v Kelly. the Demo-
Gratis are more closely knit and
compact group thar the Republic
cans, who have various campaign
organiZations-the regular Republic
can organization. the Wlllkie clubs.
the D ocra tS-fOr- Wlllkie. and
many volunteer and amateur
bodieS-W orklne throughout the
State, often without a semblance of
coordination and no little jealousy.
War Helps Democrats.
The Democrats alsJ have been
aided by the Overwhelming interest
here in the European situation New
York is decidedly war conscious. and
concern over possible British de-
feat by the totahtarian powers 1t
times all but sWamps general into--
est in the campaign
While the Republicans admit t.
Democrats have scored some :.
vantageS so far. they are sure Il
once their intensive campaign )
started several factors VIII he ,
them carry the State These factors
can be listed as follows:
l. Anti-third term sentiment
among many Democrats. The
Republicans contend that thousands
OF Democrats who supported the
President in both 1892 and 1886
are opposed to third term and
will vote against him. Republicans
point with pride to the New York
Times editorial support of Mr.
Willkie as an outstanding example
of former Roosevelt supporters now
on their size of the fence.
2. A breaking-aWay of the nor
mally Democratic Irish and Italian
votes. The Irish, in Tammany
Hall and in Brooklyn, are of the
reservation" They also expect
support from many Italians who
are resentful of the Presidents
stab in the back indictment of
MusSolini.
Left-wing Detection Seen.
3. Opposition to the President by
the left-wing element of the Amer
lean Labor party and the C. I. o.
Republicans do not necessarily hope
to get any voting support from the
left-wingers, but expect that many
of them will vote either for Norman
Thomas or Earl Browder instead Of
for the President, or just stay away.
Every left-wing vote not cast for
the Democratic ticket is, Republic
cans believe. as good as a vote for
the Republican ticket, since the
left-wingerS supported the Presi-
dent almost unanimously in 1886.
4. A pickup in the Willkie cam.
paign and a Statewide drive by
the Republican organization. Re-
publicans have made plans for
shoot the works campaign in this
State. They realize that they must
carry it to win and have called
upon leading party campaigners,
from Mr.. Willkie down, during the
remaining weeks. They also believe
that the Willkie campaign has had
a decided upswing during the past
week
With but five weeks remaining.
one thing is certain. New York
will be the scene of bitter fight.
Both parties look on it as key
State and are expected to center
the weight of their entire national