Evening star., 1942-07-24

udlOfldl nominee IOT Cne Demo-
cratic party normally would do no
damage whatsoever. because other
Presidents have felt free to have
their say in their home State po-
litical contests.
But Mr.. Roosevelt is the highest
ofhcer in the Army and Navy, and
this is wartime. He outranks the
admirals and the generals. His
once is specifically named in the
Constitution as that of commander
In chief and his example is un-
questionably important to every
subordinate in the armed services.
1t isn't Mr.. Roosevelt in his ca
pacity as party leader who is func-
ttoning separate and distinct from
his status as commander in chief.
There can be no detaching the
prestige which goes with a COM
mander In chief In wartime from
the influence that is inevitably
welded II such a commander in
chief permits himself to become a
factor in political controversy.
Sets Example.
At the moment when national
unity demands that everybody for
get factional differences and give
the commander in chief undivided
support along comes a controversy
which Mr.. Roosevelt himself. pro-
notes, thus reviving factional Bit
terness and raising very definitely
the question OF why any Army and
Navy ofhcer isn't free now to in
dulge openly in politics and politi-
cal discussion when the commander
In chief sets the example.
The dangers of dragging the
Army and Navy into politics are
obvious and yet the millions of
men In the Army and Navy who
may differ politically from the
President cannot but be puzzled
that while they are many miles
from home making every sacrifice
the commander in chief should be
blisying himself with the factional
dinerences in political party
battle. There are tens Of thousands
OF civilians, too, engaging in war
work, selling bonds and doing a
thousand and one chores on a
volunteer basis. Many of them
voted against Mr.. Roosevelt and
many voted for him in the last
election. But a vast number con-
sider themselves independent in
politics and doubtless resent any
attempt OF Mr.. Roosevelt to WELD
his presidential prestige in war;
time to affect political contests.
II Mr.. Roosevelt can intervene in
New York State, he can intervene
IN other States. The rumors are
that he already has intervened in
local politics in New Jersey and
Kentucky. The congressional elec-
tons are not far distant. The prece-
dent OF Intervention in a guberna-
tortal contest can easily be followed
In the national contests.
At this, more than at any other
time. the charge of dictatorship in
elections should have least justifica-
ton. There are too many persons
who cannot draw a distinction be-
tween their right to vote as they
please and the dictation which they
may assume they must follow when
It comes from the man who is COM
mander in chief OF the Army and
Navy.
Prestige Factor Enters.
But, even apart from this, the
national Government has beer
making rapid strides in unifying thu
Nation. Men who have been thu
bitterest political opponents of tn,
President have rallied to his aid il
helping to win the war. II this wal
Is won while Mr.. Roosevelt is still
President, the prestige that will b,
his in history may prove incompar
ably greater than that of any othel
wartime President. The stakes arr
larger and the dangers are more ex
tensive. No prestige can be addet
to Mr. Roosevelt's already successful
record in politics by winning /,
battle on the New York State from
against James A. Farley, who /
supporting the other candidate IL
the Democratic race. There is moth
ing to be gained by way OF nationa
prestige in announcing politica
preferences from the White House
Mr.. Wilson made bad mistak
In 1918 when, toward the end of tn
war. he appealed for a Democrat
Congress. Mr.. Roosevelt has mad
an even greater mistake, for he ha
tndulged in political controversy a
q moment when the war is far fror
won-in fact, at time when tn