Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-22
Minnesota Democrats
Seek Farmer-Labor
Swap 10 Hold State
Wallace Makes Good
Impression on Stump,
But More Is Needed
By JERRY VESSELS,
Special Correspondent of The Star.

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 2l.-Stirred
by Republican strength in the re-
cent State primary. Democrats are
trying to prevent the enemy from
taking the State in the fall.
Gov. Harold E. Stassens party
polled so per cent of the total vote
in the primary, which found the
Democratic and Farmer-Labor par
ties badly scrambled. The two lead
ing Democrat factions, both agree
able to the emocratic-Farmer-La-
Dor deals that in 1882 and 1886 en-
abled President Roosevelt to carry
Minnesota. were hit hard. with a
dark horse, Ed Murphy, getting the
Democratic gubernatorial nomina-
ton.
First thing Mr.. Murphy did was
to issue statement pleading for
real party spirit and for develop
ment Of the party for something
other than barter purposes.
Complaining the Democratic
ldSk Vi SdlNdellle IIlc StdlC 10 Vic
fact that Elmer Ryan, Minnesota's
only Democratic Representative, won
easy denomination over strong
Roosevelt hacker, Fred Curtis.
An Anti-Third Termer.
Mr.. Ryan issued a famous state
ment at the Chicago national con-
vention smashing at the third-term
proposal, and then came back home
to campaign on an anti-third-t term
basis Mr. Curtis was a key figure
in the 1886 swap between the Demo-
Gratis and Farmer-Laborites. He
then was a candidate for Governor,
but quit in favor Of the Farmer
Laborite candidate, Elmer Benson,
who thus was elected
The pressure to work out another
horse trade already is beginning to
show. Paul Rasmussen. prominent
Farmer Laborite. has been named
head of the Minnesota Roosevelt
Wallace Clubs. Swapping overtures
apparently have been made to have
former Gov. Benson, Farmer-Labor
nominee for the Senate, drop out
of the race in behalf of Democrat
John E. Regain. In return for this
the Democratic candidate for rail-
road and warehouse commissioner,
lucrative State post would support
the Farmer-Laborite.
But the trading will be compli-
Gated If it takes place at all. for be-
sides the Democratic factional dis
putes, the Farmer-Laborites are hav-
ing internal troubles.
Wallace Impression Good.
Henry Wallace. Democratic vice
presidential nominee. appeared to
give the Democrats something to
cheer about, however He spent
four days and nights in the State.
making 26 scheduled speeches and
many informal talks mainly in the
small towns and at cross-road points.
Reporters agreed he made good
showing generally, that he particu-
larly appealed to the farmers. and
that he talks the language of the
sons of the SOIL
At Duluth. the big port at the head
of the Great Lakes. Mr.. Wallace
provoked enthusiasm ry a biting at
tack on Wendell Wlllkie for oppos-
ing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence
seaway.
Duluth for a quarter century has
harbored fond hopes OF having the
United States and Canada improve
the st. Lawrence ano. connecting
Great Lakes waterways to bring in
ocean-going vessels, so Mr.. Wallace
contrasted what he called strenuous
efforts of Presiden: Roosevelt to
complete the seaway with a Willkie
statement against it.
Unless the Democrats and Farmer
Laborites effect another swap, it may
take more than former cabinet men,
bers to keep this State out of the Re-
publican column Ali signs indicate
Gov. Stassen's greal popularity still
is at its peak and thar Mr.. Willkie
is bound to be the beneficiary.