The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-08-21
FARLEY THE WINNER


James A. Farley. in his triumph
6ver President Roosevelt IN New
York's Democratic gubernatorial
fight, has won the opening round in
Nhat appears 20 be a bitter strug'
gle between the two erstwhile
friends for control OF the states
delegation 70 the 1914 national con-
ventiou. The Roosevelt lieutenants,
backing L. :. Senator James NJ.
Mead. steadfastly refused 10 yield
ground until a showdown vote had
been taken and Farley's man, At
torney Gen. John J Bennett. Jr.,
had been nominated for governor
OF New York.
Seldom have Washington politi-
cal leaders and members Of Con-
gress given closer attention 10
gubernatorial fight. II was a battle
between two political titsns: Mr..
Roosevelt. this nations first third
term President. and big Jim" Far
ley, the man who twice handled the
Chief Executives presidential cam
psign.
In Congress AZ least. the victory
scored by Farley as Democratic
state chairman OF New York. was
a popular one. Many members.
some OF them publicly more OF
them privately. expressed belief
that the President should have kept
hands of the New York contest:
that he shouldn't have risked his
political prestige with the nation at
war.
This seemed to be the consensus
OF dozen or more senators sought
out for comment, although all uni
formly declined TO talk for publica-
ton, possibly out OF respect for the
defeat suffered by their colleague.
Sen. Mead. Several volunteered that
they we're glad Jim Farley had
won with Democratic members ex-
pressing the hope that with the
light now over, the President and
Farley might be reunited
Some members Of the House were
less reticent. One stalwart New
Dealer, plain-talking Rep. John VI.
Coffee Cd Wash. declared that the
Presidents participation in the
fight was very unfortunate and
certainly most untimely"
Men most interested in party
welfare express regret that such
a fight should have been started in
the first place. Such a demonstra-
tion renews the slogan. Win the
election and lose the war" which
is harmful.
The President needs harmony
He apparently felt that time spent
now in New York TO put his man
into power would return ample diyt
dends in time and worry. But now.
that he has lost the fight and Farley
has won, there will be a good many
people ready 10 say that he should
have stayed in Washington and
concentrated on methods OF winning
the war.
Both Farley and the President are
outstanding politicians. 1t was Far.
ley who predicted the exact outcome
of the presidential election in 1885.
II was Farley to whom the President
turned for wise political counsel
during his first campaign and
throughout his first eight years in
the White House. Henceforth. IL
Farley chooses TO remain in an op.
posing camp, It will be Farley
whom the President must watch
most carefully and with whom he
must match political witt for con-
tinuation Of power.
Whether Farley can develop a fol
lowing TO defeat the President for a
fourth term depends largely upon
the turn OF the war. Anyway that is
a long time ahead and meantime
there will be pressure TO win Farley
back 10 the Presidents side. Now
that he has won the first major
battle. he may be able 10 bargain
TO better advantage for what he
wants. Possibly he will eventually
get IL.