The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-14

faction and the Garner force
The c. I. o. leader originally
supported the left wing slate Of
delegates headed by Lieuteant
Governor Ellis Patterson, there
by opposing both the Roosevelt
and Garner tickets. But a few
days before the primary. Lewis
grew panicky lest the vice presi-
dent. whom he once dubbed a
"whisky-drinking. poker-playing.
laborbaiting. evil old man"
might win or roll up an impress
sive total. That would have
been a dangerous callenge-and
rebuff-to the labor forces in a
state where they have rich
stake. Garner never had a
change, but John L. wasn't
sure: his political savvy is not
exceptional.
So Lewis notified Harry
Bridges to desert Patterson for
the Roosevelt ticket headed by
Governor Olson. This strategic
maneuver probably enab led
F. D. r. to poll a much larger
vote than he would have under
the original plan. The c. I. o.
boss has demonstrated that he
has no love for the president;
apparently he hates Garner
more. But the third-termers in
terpret the incident to mean
that Lewis must support the
president IL the latter runs
against 9 fairly conservative
Republican. II proves to them
that the shasgy.maned indi-
vidualist might like to bolt, but
that he has no place to 60.
President Roosevelt has made
several qu,et gestures of friend
ship toward the vice president
in recent weeks. Now that
F. D. r. has demonstrated his
ability to defeat the No. 2 DEM
oerat in the open political field,
he is apparently inclined to be
generous and diplomatic.
Roosevelt has been unusually
amiable toward the v. p. in their
Monday morning conferences on
legislative matters at the White
House. So far as appearances
so, there has never been any
controversy or difference be-
tween the head man and his
assistant. F. D. r. has suggested
that Mr.. Garner accompany him
on the transcontinental tour he
will take during the G. o. P.
Convention And if the v. p.
finds that he cannot make the
whole journey-as he probably
will-the President may stop
off for a visit beneath the pecan
trees at Cvalde and eat one of
Mrs. Gamers homecooked meals
Of chill con carne.
On his part, too, the vice pre-
sident has indicated a willing
ness to bury the hatchet-and
not the way William G. McAdoo
sank it in AL Smiths back at
Chicago in 1882. Politically,
both men are learning that they
can catch more flies with mo-
lasses than with vinegar. And
each has much to gain from a
realliance.
F. D. F. may assure himself
of control Of the convention,
the platform and the campaign.
Jack may be able to convince
the President that a third-term
try would be fatal.
The House vote recommitting
the Wheeler-Lea transportation
Bill was one of the most signi-
ficant demonstrations on Capt.
tol Hill in many years. To In
siders it proved that new
political and economic setup
prevails In the U. 8.
The measure provided, rough
ly, for control Of all forms OF
transportation--with the excep-
ton of aviation--by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission. 1t
has been under consideration
for years. 1t was backed by the
most powerful and well financed
Hobbies the railroads have sent
to Washington in decades. That
master lobbyist Joe Grundy of
Pennsylvania-wired TO Key
stone C. o. PIERS to support it.
1t had the Endorsement of Re-
publican Financier Joe Pew.
And President Roosevelt's letter
in favor OF the bill was placed
on every members desk only a
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