The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1940-03-07

Gently there was al
ways the possibility
that he might be de- 81 49,
feated by group John N. Garner
of "allies."
Roosevelt's strength has lain
chiefly in the fact that there weren't
any allies" The only candidate
who dared to come out with the idea
of being in the race whether Roose-
welt wanted third term or not was
John Nance Garner. In the begin
ming there was real hope that
there would be hall dozen, each OF
whom would gather delegates here
and there, until the total OF all the
allied delegates would be in ex-
cess OF majority. In short, a stop
Roosevelt bloc would have been in
operation.
That has not materialized for very
human reasons. Each Of the other
candidates, except Garner, has been
guided by wishful thinking. This was
that Roosevelt would not choose to
run, and Just might decide to choose
'me.'
That has been the thinking Of Sen.
Burton K. Wheeler of Montana who
goes about opposing the idea OF
third term, but saying he is sure
Roosevelt does not want it, He isn't
sure OF any such thing, never has
been. Yet now he says he will not
oppose Roosevelt in any primary.
He doesn't want to split the apro-
gressive' vote, for the nomination
of q conservative Democrat would
throw the country into the hands OF
the Republicans
McNuft Ha, Handicap in
ForIey's Personal luminosity
Paul v. McNutt was the first cam
didate to pick that particular line.
But there was more political sa-
gacity in McNutt' course than
there has been in Wheeler's. Nc
Mutt had handicap which Wheeler
did not have, and which had to be
Offset to give him a Chinaman'
chance. This was the personal ami
mostly OF Jim Farley.
When he first started on this II
am for Roosevelt if he wants it, but
II he doesn't then am after the
nomination strategy, McNutt did
not know how bitterly the left wing
ers in the New Deal were against
him. But even if he had known, there
was no other course open to him.
Obviously Farley plus Roose-
welt could beat any candidate at the
convention, and, not having Farley,
McNutt had to have Roosevelt to
be in the running. He seems to
have failed but not through any
stupidity unless one goes back to
his original alienation of Farley.
Farley himself could have been a
potent member of a stop Roose-
velt' bloc. But the Massachusetts,
situation made that pretty nearly
impossible. Due to a complicated
situation inside the Bay state, Far
ley found it out of the question to
buck a ro-Roosevelt delegation.
Especially as he could have the dele
cation on platter providing Roose-
welt didn't want it.
1t was clear case of half LOAF
being better than no bread. but il
did not play in with the stop
Roosevelt" movement at all
But while Mr.. Roosevelt can ap-
parently have the nomination it he
wants it, there is still little evi
dence that his approval for any 9th
er candidate is worth very much. II
still appears that he must take il
himself or see it 60 to somebody fol-
whom he has no enthusiasm.
Left Wing Split Over
Associated Gas Receiuership
Outside the gas and electric in
dustries, there perhaps is very little
interest in who is receiver for the
Associated Gas & Electric compa
ny, but in the fight which developed
inside the New Deal on that CUES
ton there is enormous political ant
economic interest.
In the first place, there is one O
the most spectacular divisions in
ride the left wingers which has oc
Cured since the New Deal cam.
into power seven years ago. 1t i!
fnr more important than the on,
which resulted in Ray Moley's be
ing exiled. Moley was almost alon,
Ia that affair, and besides, it wa
generally accepted that his exit re
suited because Cordell Hull demand
cd it, on issues which had little to d.
with main New Deal detectives.
But this time we have Jerome N
Frank, chairman of the Securitie'
and Exchange commission, Leor
Henderson. another member OF II