The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-01-23

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man he talked to.
It was late in the afternoon. I
knew that the presidents mess
age on the Finnish loan was due
the next day, and I dropped into
Borah's office to get his views.
Wrapped in an army blanket, he
was lying on couch, reading an
article on trade treaties. He mo-
toned me to chair, which I
pulled up near him. On the mar
BILE mantle directly over him was
a striking new photograph of
himself which he liked very much.
Borah looked well, but frail,
and recalling that during the
Christmas holiday he had told
me he was thinking of taking Mrs.
B0rah south, I said, "What about
your trip?"
4 guess that's off, Robert" he
replied. ''Mrs. BOrah won't stay
If don't, and I can't"
'Why not? Things aren't so
active now. A few weeks Of
warm weather and sunshine
would do you q lot Of gO0d.'
eyes, but / can't leave. Those
trade treaties are up and I've
got to be on hand to keep an
eye ON developments. It's a
close fight and we can't take
any chances. would like a lit
tie rest, but I feel it's my duty
to stay on the job and oppose
this act"
what about this Finnish
loan?" I asked.
That's . very distressing d.
1emma for me, Robert" he said.
MY heart goes out to those
gallant people, but at the same
time ! have grave misgivings
about lending money to anyone
In Europe. Once we let down
the bars we can't fOresee what
it may lead to. We must keep
out Of that mess regardless OF
our personal sympathies."
1896 DILEMMA
I remember another time when
he was in a dilemma. 1t was In
1896.
That spring, at the age Of II
and for the first time in his long
career, he decided to make SER
ious try for the presidency. There
was considerable popular response,
but the machine politicians were
against him. He went to the
Cleveland convention empty.
handed-and he knew 1t.
The night Herbert Hoover made
his speech-wh!ch he secretly
hoped would stampede the dele
gates-I encountered Borah ,leav-
ing his hotel. It was past mid
night. hot and sticky.
"Come along, Robert, and
walk with me-" he said. TITS
cooler out here"
So we walked about the de
serted streets and he talked
about Hoover, the convention,
and All Landon.
They'll nominate Landon to-
morrow" he said. "The stage Is
all set. Hoover tried to run
away with the convention to-
night, but they don't want any
of him. It win be LandOn and
Knox, you mark my word"
"And then what are you going
IN IA SAwmfMr9N y
II don't know. I'll wait and
see what LandOn says. But what
I'm wondering Is what can he
say. He knows nothing about
national or foreign affairs.
am told he Is . nice gentleman,
but the country needs more
than that in. the White House
In these times. ! don't want to
prejudice LandOn. / shall hear
him out, but / have q strong
bunch / will not support him."
Borahs premonition was right.
Three months later ! spent a day
with him in Boise as he cam
paigned for his sixth senatorial
term. We had a long talk that
night In his room before he re-
tired. ! remarked that ! hadn't
heard him say q word during the
day about Landon.
"And don't intend to say
anything about him." Borah re.
piled quietly. II am mot for
him."
"Are you for ROOSEVELT"
'Well, Robert he said, 1--WE
got . lot Of Democratic friends
In Idaho and think they know
where i stand" And then with