Evening star., 1940-03-12
Florida Delegation
TO Be for Roosevelt
Or His Candidate
Pepper and Gov. Cone
Assure President;
Donohey at White House
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

President Roosevelt today received
assurances of third-term conven-
ton delegation from Florida-if he
wants it.
The promise was brought to the
Chief Executive by Florida delega-
ton headed by Senator Pepper and
Gov. Fred P. Cone
There will be liberal delegation
from Florida" Senator Pepper tnld
'>areporters afterWard, and it will be
for Mr.. Roosevelt, if he wants it, or
for any one else he might designate. ~
Although expressing a doubt that
the President wants a third term,
Gov. Cone told newsmen, Il think
he can get third term if he wants
A.lt. But l don't believe he does
want it,"
Gov. Cone has qualified as a pri-
mary opponent of Senator Andrews
in an election scheduled for May T.
Senator Andrews was White House
caller last Saturday.
Donahey Sees President.
Even more political interest than
was directed at the Florida delega-
ton centered on White House visit
today by Senator Donahey, recog-
nized as one of the Democrats
strongest vote getters in pivotal
Ohio. His call on the Chief Execu-
tive, although he refused any COM
ment when leaving the White House,
gave rise to speculation that the
President may be attempting to per-
suade the Ohioan to stand for re-
election or to seek the gubernatorial
Democratic nomination.
After earlier declining to head a
favorite-Son presidential primary
slate committed to third term for
4 Mr. Roosevelt, Senator Donahey an
nounced about 10 days ago that he
would not stand this fall for re-
election to the Senate.
At a press conference a few days
later, the President expressed re-
gret at the news, paid tribute to
Senator Donahey as a public serv-
- ant and said he hoped he would
decide to run either for the Senate
or for the governorship. Mr.. Dona-
hey served three consecutive terms
as Governor of Ohio from 1923 to
1929.
He was elected to the Senate in
1884, carrying every congressional
district.
Later it was learned that Senator
Donahey will not reconsider his de-
clslon to retire from public life, but
that he may issue a second state
ment explaining that failing health
is the sole reason for his retirement.
At the same time he is expected to
voice confidence that Ohio will be
in the Democratic column in No
vember.
Still confined to the White House
proper with a cold Mr.. Roosevelt,
nevertheless, planned a full morn
ing of conferences.
Also on the Presidents appoint
ment list today was Representative
J Norton, chairman of the House La
Dor Committee now holding the Ma
tional Labor Relations Act amend
mentS recommended last week by
the special committee headed by
Representative Smith of Virginia.
Meanwhile, prospects of untang-
ling the Democratic presidential
primary snarl in California and an
announcement that National Chair
man Farley will not be a primary
candidate in Ohio were principal
overnight political developments.
Farley Raps G. o. P.
Meanwhile, of only slightly less
interest, was a lusty exchange of
press releases in which Chairman
Farley spurned the advice of Re-
publican Chairman John Hamilton
about discontinuing party conven-
ton books and made it clear the
Democrats are planning a bigger
and better literary masterpiece than
ever before.
With two Roosevelt tickets in the
making for California's May pri-
mary-one being directed by former
Senator McAdoo and the other by
Gov, Culbert L. Olson-Secretary of
Interior Ickes, an ardent third
term for Roosevelt man, was on his
way to the Pacific Coast today for
what was believed an effort to rec
oncile the two Democratic factions
or to persuade one to withdraw.
Continuance of both in the race
might force Mr.. Roosevelt, if he is
really desirous of controlling the
California delegation, to repudiate
one of the tickets in order to pre-
vent damaging split in the vote.
Farley's Reason.
Mr.. Farleys Ohio abstinence was
disclosed in an Associated Press dis
patch from Columbus, quoting
Francis w. Poulson, former Demo-
cratic State chairman and leader
OF Farley movement in that State,
as saying:
In event that the President does
not elect to permit use of his name
at the national convention, the
delegation (Which is pledged to Mr.
ROOSEVELT is free to 60 where it
chooses. Hence, Mr.. Farley has an
equal chance with any one at the
national convention
Mr.. Farley admitted that the G.
o. P. method of getting money for
the expenses connected with elec-
tions is much easier and more eff
fective than the Democrats
They merely levy on a selected
list of very rich men for whatever
they require. The last report of
Mr.. Hamiltons outfit seems to have
established S4000-apiece rate.
Unfortunately, a Democratic ad-
ministration has no favors to sell
1t must be admitted that a $400G
draft is cheap to pay for such
enactments as the Smoot- -Hawley
tariff, for example. Doubtless if the
Democrats we're in that sort of
market, they could offer comparable
bargains"
Meanwhile, reports to the clerk of
the House of Representatives yes
terdav disclosed that the two major
parties already have nearly $1,OOO,-
900 iingling in their cash drawers:
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