Evening star., 1942-10-05
Roosevelt's Pledge
10 Support Bennett l!l'
Hailed by Farley
Move Seen as Attempt
To Close Party Ronks
Against COP Threat

In a move apparently aimed at
solidifying Democratic ranks in his
home State against the threat Of
Republican Thomas E. Dewey's gu
bernatorial bid, President Roosevelt
came out hatly for the first time yes
terday behind Attorney General
John j. Bennett, who won the DEM
ocratic nomination for Governor OF
New York with the support Of James
A. Farley.
Mr.. Roosevelt had backed Senator
James Mead to carry his party's
standard In the November election
and since the Democratic convention
at Brooklyn nominated Mr.. Bennett
instead, he had brushed aside in
quiries at several press conferences
as to whether he would support Mr..
Bennett.
Mimeographed Statement.
Reporters were summoned to the
White House yesterday to receive
from a uniformed guard a mimeo-
graphed statement headed For the
press. immediate release" which
said:
TN reply to numerous inquiries
with reference to the political situa-
ton In his home State of New York,
the President has authorized the fol-
lowing statement:
"'Of the three men in the race for
the governorship of New York, I
shall cast my ballot for John Ben
nett because believe that he is the
best qualified
"At the same time. the President
further said:
I trust that every voter, not only
In New York State, but throughout
the country, regardless of party
afiliations, will register. and on
November 3, exercise the right of the
ballot. This is one of the essential
privileges and duties OF our demo-
cratic way Of life for which we are
now fighting.'"
The third gubernatorial candidate,
IN addition to Mr.. Bennett and Mr..
Dewey, is Dean Alfange, New York
lawyer who was nominated by the
American Labor Party in dissatisfac-
ton with Mr.. BENEFITS selection by
the Democrats. The ALP had sup
ported Gov. Herbert H. Lehman
against Mr.. Dewey in the previous
election.
Action Not Unexpected.
While the manner of Mr.. Roose-
Velt's Endorsement of Mr.. Bennett
was surprise, the action itself was
not unexpected. It had been widely
predicted by political leaders, in
cluding Senator Mead, who has
pledged his support to Mr.. Bennett.
Mrs. Roosevelt recently spoke in
Mr.. BENEFITS behalf in New York.
On the recent occasions when Mr..
Roosevelt had refused to comment
specifically on the New York CAM
paign he also had nothing to say
reports from New York of
a rapprochement between himself
and Mr.. Farley but his statement
yesterday was viewed by political
observers as move In this direc-
ton.
Mr.. Farley, former Postmaster
General and Democratic National
Chairman, resigned from the cabinet
and gave way to Edward J. Flynn
at the helm of the party at the time
Of the Presidents third-term candi-
dacy, which Mr.. Farley disapproved.
Since then relations between the
two had been generally considered
to be far less cordial than they had
been when Mr.. Farley directed the
campaigns which led Mr.. Roosevelt
to the White House in 1882 and re-
elected him In 1886.
Informed of the Presidents ac-
tion, Mr.. Bennett said it "pleases
me greatly, and I deeply appreciate
his friendly Endorsement"
Farley "Gratified!"
Mr.. Farley said Mr.. Roosevelt's
assertion that the Attorney General
was best qualified "gratifies me and
I am sure is pleasing to all inter-
ested In the continuation of good
government at Albany"
At Republican campaign head
quarters. Herbert Brownell, jr., cam
paign manager for Mr.. Dewey, called
the presidential Endorsement some
thing to be expected"
Reviewing Mr.. Roosevelt's pre-
vious opposition to Mr.. Bennett and
asserting that the President once
said the Attorney General could not
win. Mr.. Brownell said:
obviously, he was right and am
sure that the voters will confirm
his Judgment by electing Mr.. Dewey
Governor"