Evening star., 1941-06-28
Roosevelt Watches
Texas Vote, Hoping
For Johnson Victory
State Is Voting Today
On Is Candidates
For Senute Scot
BY JOHN c. HENRY,
Star staff Correspondent.


HYDE PARK, N. Y. June 28.-
President Roosevelt was mixing rest
with politics and foreign affairs
here today, In the routine of
weekend which he will climax Mon
day by dedicating the new Franklin
D. Roosevelt Library.
Although politics has been pretty
much in the background since the
1910 campaign. largely because of
the concentration of all energies
on the defense program, special
senatorial election under way in
Texas today has caught the per-
sonal interest of the Chief Executive
and Of the political observers who
consider any contest Of votes an
open season for marking trends
and judging factional or party
strength.
Battling for the seat left vacant
first by the death of Senator Shep-
pard and again by the death of
Senator Houston are Is candidates.
Four of them are tapping the field
and two of these have attracted
the particular interest of the Demo-
cratic administration in Washing
ton-Representative Martin Dies,
enemy of all un-Americans, and
Representative Lyndon Johnson,
friend Of all that is the New Deal.
Declares for johnson.
On at least three occasions. the
President has made clear his pref
erence for Mr.. johnson.
AS for Mr.. Dies, the unfriendliness
of the administration for the out
spoken chairman Of the House Com
mittee on Un-American Activities
has been manifested in frequent
public controversies and exchanges
Of harsh words during the past two
years. OF the other principal cam
didates today, Gov. w. Lee ODaniel
and Attorney General Gerald Mann,
they are in Washington's disfavor
mostly because Mr.. johnson is the
preference.
Although local issues and inf1u-
ences may be decisive in the voting,
the results will be some measure of
public reaction to present Roosevelt
policies with regard to defense and
foreign affairs. 1t is with realiza-
ton of this that administration
leaders and others, are anxiously
awaiting the results.
Russian Situation Considered.
Meanwhile. the President was CIV
ing important thought to two par
ticular phases of the foreign situa-
ton. first, the matter of aid to
Russia and second, the question Of
Irish policy.
Earlier this week, the Chief Execu-
tive declared without qualification
that all possible aid will be given
the Soviet government in its resist
ance to German invasion depending
only upon availability of American
material and statement of Russian
requirements. Conversations be-
tween Undersecretary of State
Welles and Constantine OumanSky,
Russian Ambassador, already have
taken place regarding American
assistance and the President talked
to the acting head of the State De-
partment by telephone yesterday.
Further disclosures in this regard
may be expected soon.
With respect to Irish policy, Mr..
Roosevelt revealed to a press con-
ference here yesterday that he is
studying the possibility of sending
military rifles to the Fire Govern
ment but that an important require
ment will be the receipt of assur-
ances that the Irish would defend
themselves against German attack.
AS yet, the President said, he has not
received such assurances.
Guests Arrive for Dedication.
Capt. and Mrs. James Roosevelt
are expected to arrive at Hyde Park
house over the week end, in time
for the library dedication on Mon
day. Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt
also is expected to return from Camp
Bello, Me, today or tomorrow.
Other guests at the Roosevelt
home are Crown Princess Martha
of Norway and her three children.
Princess Astrid, Princess Ragnhild
and Prince Harald.
Among those scheduled to arrive
from Washington for the library
ceremonies are Postmaster General
Walker, treasurer of the library
corporation, and Archivist r. D. w.
Connor.
-Four Regarded as Leading