Evening star., 1940-02-20
Free-ior-AII Fight
In Ohio Democratic
Primary Forecast
Corner, Wheeler and
Roosevelt Proxy Due
To Be EorIy Sturters

A free-for- all battle for Ohio's 50
delegates to the Democratic Ma
tional Convention was shaping up
today, with Vice President Garner.
Senator Wheeler Of Montana and q
Roosevelt third-term proxy" ex-
pected to be among the early
starters.
Since written authorization by a
candidate is necessary, President
Roosevelt's name is not expected to
be on the primary ballot-unless
he decides in the next few days to
announce hts third-term candidacy.
Another Of the Democratic pros
poets not believed In the running
In Ohio is Federal Security Ad-
ministrator Paul v. McNutt, whose
friends explain he will enter no
primary in which there is a pro-
Roosevelt slate.
After Senator Donahey, Demo-
crat, Of Ohio declined yesterday to
be a "favorite son" candidate word
spread that Vice President Garner
soon would enter the May IA pref
erential election and that Senator
Wheeler was considering filing his
name.
Sawyer Expected to File.
The idea Of Ohio Democratic
leaders had been to pledge the State
delegation to Senator Donahey with
the understanding that it would
back the Chief Executive in the
event he sought denomination.
When Senator Donahey declined,
many politicians here expressed the
belief that National Committeeman
Charles Sawyer would file In the
"favorite son" category.
Garner managers were conferrine
on procedure for entering the Vice
Presidents name in Ohio. He al
ready has arranged to participate
IN the primaries in Illinois, Wiscon-
sin, Oregon and California-and in
Georgia, If one is ordered by the
State Democratic Committee.
Mr.. Gamers friends generally
were elated over Senator Donahey's
declination, which they interpreted
as a sign that he does not favor a
third term. Senator Burke, Demo-
crat, Of Nebraska told reporters:
Good for old Vic! I hope Garner
will 60 into Ohio and all the other
primaries"
Wheeler Advised to File.
Senator Wheeler's associates said
they were advising him to file in the
State and to make an aggressive
stumping campaign. They argued
that he would get substantial sup
port from organized labor in Ohio's
coal, rubber and railroad industries.
In Boston, where he spoke last
night, Senator Wheeler declined
comment on the Ohio situation. He
reiterated his belief that the Presi-
dent would not run again. but said
Mr. Roosevelt could have the nomi-
nation If he wanted it.
Senator Wheeler previously has
said he would enter no primary in
which Mr.. Roosevelt's name was
filed.
Asked whether he would be can
didate if Mr.. Roosevelt were not, Mr..
Wheeler replied he was like IS other
Senators, the House members and
all the cabinet.
They are all in q receptive
mood" he asserted.
G. o. p. Proposals Of Interest.
Sharing interest with the Ohio
situation were the recommenda-
tions of the Republican Program
Committee on Republican policy.
The report suggesting reduced
Federal expenditures, protective"
business regulation and a keep-out-
of-war foreign policy, is expected
to provide the foundation for the
1910 party platform.
Senator Taft, Republican, of
Ohio said that "it was a very ef-
fective and sound statement of
fundamental principles, and it is
much more specific than I ex-
pected it to be-"