Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-24
But Senator Denies
Charges Made
Against Porty

Montana declared here today that 1t
would. be extremely difficult 4or
the Democratic party to re-elect
President Roosevelt if he won the
party nomination for a third Term.
Senator Wheeler, mentioned asa
possible 1910 Democratic nominee
and recent object of a display of
friendship by John l.. Lewis, male
this statement after expressing sur
prise at the blunt assertion Of the
c. I. o. leader that Roosevelt's
nomination would result IN "isno-
minious defeat"
The Senator disputed a claim by
Mr.. Lewis that the Democratic
party and the Roosevelt adminis-
tration had not kept faith with
labor"
THE Democratic party and Presi-
dent Roosevelt he said, have done
more for organized labor in recent
years than any administration in
the history Of the country"
Wheeler Opposed Also.
Commenting on another term for
Mr.. Roosevelt, he said he had al
ways been opposed to third term"
mo twithsta ding President
Roosevelt's great personal popular
ity I think it would be extremely diff
flcult to elect any one for a third
term" he declared.
Mr.. Lewis statement surprised
political Washington with it's abrupt
decisiveness despite evidences of
GOODNESS between the labor leader
and the White House in recent
months. 1t came in an address to-
day to the United Mine Workers
Convention in Columbus, Ohio.
After expressing the belief that
Mr.. Roosevelt would not be candi-
date for reelection, he said: Con-
ceding that the Democratic Conven-
ton could be coerced or dragooned
into renominating him, I am con-
WINGED that with the conditions now
confronting the Nation and the dis
satisfaction now permeating the
minds OF the people his candidacy
would result in ignominious defeat"
Bid for Hand in Policies Seen.
Political leaders were quick to see
IN the Lewis maneuver, including his
attack on administration labor poll
cies, bid for an influential place in
Democratic councils with a view to
helping shape party policy and
select its presidential nominee.
Nonetheless his speech served to
complicate, at least for the time, the
political outlook as far as labor is
concerned. Some of his own c. I. o.
organizations already have Endorsed
another term for Mr.. Roosevelt.
c. I. o. headquarters list them as the
Textile Workers Union of America,
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America and the American Fed
Grafton of Hosiery Workers.
Likewise information at C. I. o.
headquarters was that the New
York State Industrial Council. rep
resenting an estimated 100000 c.
I. o. members. and the New Jersey
Council, representing an estimated
1000. have voted in conventions
their Endorsement of a third term.
Whether Mr.. Lewis first choice
for the Democratic standard-bearer
might be Senator Wheeler has been
a subject of speculation ever since
1.-THE c. I. o. leader several weeks
ago invited the Montana Senator to
ADDRESS the Columbus convention.
Mr.. Lewis, however. has made no
announcement Of intentions in that
direction. Senator Wheeler is sched-
uled to speak Friday.
McNutt, Garner Branded.
Along with his display of friend
ship to Senator Wheeler and his
criticism of the administration, Mr..
Lewis has taken occasion in the
convention to express his views on
another Democratic presidential
possibility, Federal Security Admin
istrator Paul v. McNutt. He as
sailed Mr. McNutt yesterday as
political adventurer."
The c. I. O. leaders assertions
about Mr.. Roosevelt elected no di-
rect comment at the White House.
When Stephen Early, presidential
secretary, was advised of it he mere
ly remarked to reporters:
"On the other side of labor. we see
Mr.. Green william Green, presi-
dent OF the American Federation of
Labor coming in here and doing a
very nice thing"
He referred to arrangements for
labor to present birthday cake to
Mr.. Roosevelt along with nearly
$4,000 in contributions from A. F. L.
members for the national infantile
paralysis campaign.