Evening star., 1942-07-22
Mead Agrees 10 Run
For Governorship
In Letter 10 Wagner
Entry in New York Race
Seen as Test Between
Roosevelt and Farley
Continued From First Page.)

believe that I would not become a
candidate. My election as Cover
nor should not interfere in the least
with Jim Farley's high position in
the party.
"I am very happy to have been
associated with you, Senator, In
helping to advance the great social
program you so ably sponsored In
the State and in the Nation. 1t
has been my great privilege to work
shoulder to shoulder with our great
President in these same endeavors
have always supported the Presi-
dents domestic and foreign policies
long before Pearl Harbor. am,
therefore, my dear colleague, after
the most thoughtful consideration
of your gracious letter, willing to
have my name presented to the
convention as candidate for the
governorship of the State of New
York"
Bennett Claims Most of Delegates.
Senator Mead's bid for harmony
does not appear likely to bear fruit.
Mr.. Farley and Mr.. Bennett have
both declared that the fight will
be carried through to 8. finish in
the Democratic State Convention
More than half of the LOLA delegates
to the convention, the Farley-Ben
nett forces claim, are pledged to sup
port Mr. Bennett.
In order to win the nomination
for their candidate, the Mead forces
will have to persuade the county
leaders and the delegates to trans
fer their allegiance from Mr.. Ben
nett and Mr.. Farley.
Mr.. Mead says in his letter he
sees no reason why Mr.. Farley
should not retain his high position
in the Democratic party in New
York II he, Mr.. Mead. is nominated
for Governor. If this means that
Mr.. Farley will remain as Demo-
cratic State chairman, politicians
here today believed this an impossi-
bility.
Mr.. Mead's statement, however
was regarded as an effort to make 1t
appear that the responsibility for
any break which comes out OF the
contest belongs to Mr. Farley.
Mr.. Farley gave up the chairman
ship of the Democratic National
Committee in 1910 after President
Roosevelt had been renominated
for a third term. 1t is believed he
will be either forced out or will re-
linouish of his own free will the
State Craftsmanship should he and
his candidate lose in this fight for
the gubernatorial nomination.
Roosevelt's Attitude.
President Roosevelt has not so far
come out with fiat statement he
wishes Senator Mead nominated
over Mr.. Bennett. 1t is well under
stood. however, that the President
is backing the fight against the
nomination of the Attorney General,
and that the reason advaAced is the
belief that Mr.. Bennett could not be
elected.
American Labor leaders in New
York have declared against the elec-
ton of Mr.. Bennett and have gone
80 far as to threaten to place can
didate of their own in the field
should Mr.. Bennett be nominated.
The American Laborites, however,
have made it known they will sup
port Senator Mead, should he be the
choice. They claim to hold the bal
ance of power in State elections
pointing to the fact they cast about
100000 votes in the last election.
Mr.. Bennett has been electee
attorney general without the sup
port of the American Labor party
Mr.. Farley has insisted that If thu
President should use his influence
the Labor party could be induced tt
support Mr.. Bennett.
The State convention will be helt
August 19 and 20 in Brooklyn, Mr.
BENEFITS home, according to an an
nouncement in New York yesterda.
by Mr.. Farley. The State Commit
tee must pick the time and place
but it is expected that when 1t meet
Friday it will accept the decision o
Mr.. Farley. This is the earliest pos
sible date for holding the State con
vention. The American Labor part,
will be forced to make its decision
under this plan after the Democrat
have selected their nominee.
Dewey Probable COP Choice.
Thomas E. Dewey, who ran agains
Gov. Lehman in 1898, is expected II
be the Republican nominee for Gov
ernor. He lost to Gov. Lehman b.
only "a 900 votes.
A third candidate for tn
Democratic nomination is Charlie
Poletti, Lieutenant Governor, in
dorsed warmly by Gov. Lehman
whose decision not to seek flftl
term precipitated the political tug
o'-war.
Senator Wagner's position wa
made known in a letter to Senate
Mead, made public last night, il
which he said:
You have the capacity to serv
with great distinction and yo
should have the opportunity to d
So"
Senator Wagner said he felt
his duty to give Senator Mead hi
views on the New York guberna
torial election this year, because Q
their 3o-year association in publ
affairs.