Evening star., 1940-05-08
Primaries Boost
Third Term STRENGTH
To a New High
50 Convention Votes
Added; Virtual Pledges
Of so More Made Today
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

Roosevelt third-term strength
was mounting to q new high today
as primary returns assured him of
more than three-score additional
convention votes and two State
delegations visited the White House
with virtual pledges of another SO.
Most spectacular victory Of the
third-term bandwagon was scored
yesterday in California, where q
slate committed to the President
buried ticket favoring Vice Presi-
dent Garner by almost seven to one
and held nearly . three-to-one ma
jority over the combined vote Of
three opposition states.
Today the Roosevelt total was
augmented by promises of Georgia,
and North Carolina groups
that their States would back the
President at Chicago In July. Head
ed by Gov. E. D. Rivers, the Geor-
gia group presented to Mr.. Roose-
welt a resolution favoring a third
term and signed by every one Of
the States 72 delegates. Actually,
the group represented "a votes at
the convention.
Iowa, Carolina Pledges.
Although appearing primarily to
invite the President on q fishing
trip, a North Carolina delegation
told White House news men that
their States 26 votes are "in the bag"
for the Chief Executive. Senator
Bailey headed this group of visitors.
In addition, the President received
q delegation Of four Iowans, headed
by Senators Gillette and Herring,
bearing request that he extend his
Endorsement to an instructed dele
CATION for Secretary Of Agriculture
Wallace.
Signed by 10 State Democrats, the
telegram said such an action would
make farm program and Democratic
party identical and would enthuse
farm vote. Failure to do this would
be construed as a reputation of
farm program by the Iowa Democ-
racy and would enormously weaken
appeal of party to farm vote, no
matter who the nominees may even
tually be-"
In making their request, the
senders of the telegram cited a
recent reported agreement by which
third-term supporters Withdrew OPP
position to Vice President Garner, a
favorite son in Texas, in return for
assurances that the Garner vote
would not be used for stop Roose-
welt" purposes.
President Had No Comment.
As they left the White House the
Iowa group said the President had
received the message without COM
ment. Senator Gillette described
the proposal as "very sound" but
Senator Herring indicated his belief
that the delegation really would be
q Roosevelt one.
Senator Herring declared, how
ever, that in his opinion the ma
jority of the States Democrats
prefer to direct their convention
strength for the President at once
without an initial pledge to Mr..
Wallace. He predicted that the
delegation will be 50 instructed on
Saturday.
In addition to the California gain,
the Roosevelt third term movement
was strengthened also by yesterdays
Alabama voting. With 20 conven-
ton votes at stake, Democrats of
that State instructed their delega-
ton to support Speaker Bankhead
as q favorite son. It was understood,
however, that the Speaker Is not
q candidate If Mr.. Roosevelt is in the
race.
Solace for Garner.
Solace for Mr.. Garner was found
to some extent in the Texas county
convention results as his home State
split its voting in such way as to
assure him virtually all Of the 46
convention votes, but with COM
panion Endorsements Of the New
Deal and pledges not to participate
In any stop Roosevelt" movement.
Garner headquarters said their man
had won 653 county delegates to 80
for the President.
In addition, Florida and South
Dakota selected uninstructsd dele
(See PRIMARIES, Page A-3J