Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-15
New York Scales Tilt
To President in Wake
OF Destroyer Deal
La Guurdio and Walker
Also Help, With WiIIkie
Drive Showing Log
Special Dispatch to The Star.

OIINe SHOWiHS Lug
Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, Sept. l4.-Wide-
spread popular approval of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's destroyer-naval
bases trade with the British, cou-
pied with an apparent lag in the
Willkie campaign, tilted the politi-
cal scale to the Democratic side
in New York this week
Two other developments. which
also tended to aid the Democratic
cause, were the decision OF Mayor
La Guardia to support openly the
candidacy of the President, and the
naming of former Mayor James j.
Walker as impartial arbiter of the
city's cloak and suit industry.
These Democratic advantages,
however, cannot be viewed in any
sense as decisive or permanent, and
with the actual campaign not yet
under way New York's all-important
At electoral votes in the coming
presidential campaign must still be
listed in the doubtful column.
For the heavy Democratic ma
jorities of 1882 and 1886, when the
President and his New Deal swept
the Empire State by over a million
votes, have been washed away as
far as this election is concerned.
The Irish and italian vote. normal
" Democratic, are off the reserva-
tion," the third term is a serious
political hazard, and the Repub.
licans, despite last weeks setbacks,
are confident of victory and are
working overtime.
Weekly Fluctuations Expected.
Impartial observers here expect
the scales to fluctuate back and
forth, with advantages recorded for
the Democrats one week and Re-
publicans the next, right up to cleo
ton day. They believe that the
State campaign will be a knock
down. drag-out fight to the finish
with the presidency probably riding
with the victor.
But it cannot be denied that the
popular reaction to the destroyer
bases trade had considerable favor
able effect on the local Democratic
campaign. The overwhelming &C
cord given the trade by millions OF
the States war-conscious popula-
ton overshadowed the protests by
Wendell L. Willkie and other OF
his party leaders over the methods
employed by the Chief Executive.
Charges of dictatorship" and "ar-
bitrary action" were lost in the
general approval of the deal.
The backing of the President by
Mayor La Guardia and the appoint
ment of jimmy Walker also tend
to restore to the Democrats some
Of the boiling Irish and Italian
votes.
The Mayors support of the Pres
ident did not come as any surprise.
but it is expected to aid among the
Italians. many of whom are still
resentful of Mr.. Roosevelts stab
in-th back" indictment of Premier
Mussolini. as we'll as helping to
whip into line the American labor
party's Endorsement of Roosevelt
presidential electors in the State. To
date the left-wing faction of the
labor party has been able to with
hold such move. despite attempts
by the right-wing branch.
Irish "Appeasement" Seen.
The appointment of Mr. Walker,
1t is understood here from reliable
sources, was made with White House
approval, and is viewed as a move
| to "appease" the heavy Irish vote
in the city. Mr. Walker, who re-
signed as Mayor under fire when
President Roosevelt was Governor,
has long been an idol of the city's
Irish. Their support of the New
Deal, particularly in Tammany Hall,
has been only lukewarm for the
last few years. and this year Is
apathetic to say the least
In addition to these developments,
the lag in the Willkie campaign has
also accentuated Democratic gains.
| VA eAAC AL GlAAlC SlAICC lllc ilOIll-
ination at Philadelphia a drop in
enthusiasm was evident here dur
ing the week. A good deal Of this
is attributed to organizational diff
culties rather than any actual loss
of voting strength.
Serious friction had arisen be-
tween the Republican National Com
mittee and the Associated Willkie
Clubs. two of the main campaign
organizations. In more than one
instance these two groups have du-
plicated each others campaign work,
and jealousies have broken out.
This friction has been more or less
ironed out within the last few days,
| however, and the Willkie organiza =
tons are confident they will be able
to recapture the initial enthusiasm.
Better to have a lag now than
in the closing weeks of the cam
paign' Is the way the campaign
leaders put it, pointing out that
Mr.. wilkes presidential drive wifi
be formally opened Monday in Cof-
feyville, Kans., and that this will
be a signal for the launching of