The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-12-15

It is the old, basic feud be- tween isolationist-c st-conservatives and progressive-in -intervent'onists.
 Actually the feud flared up in- side the party several weeks be- fore the National Committee man from Idaho, began lining up western leaders for the Chicago T'ribune's isolationist candidate, Werner Schroeder.
 This was what aroused Fred Baker, the 34-year old Seattle youngster who almost won out over Schroeder. Hearing of Whitla's activities, and being dead opposed to any COP backtrack to isolation, Baker came east for conferences with Willkie, Herbert Hoover, Governor Bricker and Senator McNary. His proposal was to unite behind Oregon's Ma tional Committeeman Ralph Cake.
 In the end, Baker so impressed leaders with his own enthusiasm and organizing ability, that they including Cake-lined up be- hind him. And when the Cake Baker contingent arrived in St. Louis they had almost, but not quite enough, votes to, stop Schroeder.
 SURPRISE BALLOT
 The Schroeder contingent never realized this, however. On Sat- urday before the meeting opened they counted 58 votes in their pocket. and would not believe that any could be taken away.
 Baker and his libertal-non-iso- lationist group caucused on Sun day morning. Even at the time some of them were heady to take Harrison Spangled of Iowa as compromise, but the Schroeder isolationist forces were too cocky.
 So when the balloting opened Monday they were knocked for a loop as Baker, the young man who came out of the west, rolled up 40 votes to Schroeder's 70. On the second ballot he
 went ahead to 43, Schroeder dropping to 38.
 Both sides huddled after this, and a great emotional meeting took place on the part of the non- isolationists. Some were for fight ing to the bitter end. Staunchest packers of Fred Baker were Bud Kelland of Arizona, Ralph Cake of Oregon, Walter Hallanan of West Virginia, Mrs Worthington Scranton of Pennsylvania, Dan Whetstone of Montana, Sinclair Weeks of Massachusetts, and Grace Reynolds of Indiana.
 Finally they decided har- n'onS was more important than cut throat battle and agreed to take the 62-year nd Spang- Ter.
 All sioes agree, however, that this is merely the postponement Of the inevitable. Sooner or later the showdown has to come between the two wings of the Re- publican, party. And many be- lieve that the old issue which rose to destroy Woodrow Wilson's peace after the last war had best be threshed out now rather than left to fester and destroy any peace agreement after this war.
 It Is the most important issue the COP has to face.
 TAFT AND FARLEY
 When Big Jim Farley makes friends he makes them for keeps. One such is the youngest son of staunch Republican Senator Bob Taft of Ohio, with whom Farley does not have a great deal in common.
 Young Horace Taft has a hobby of collecting autographs from famous men whom he has interviewed himself. Among these are all the cabinet mem- bers of the Roosevelt adminis- tratlon, including, when he was Postmaster General, Jim Far ley.
 Most cabinet members, busy, busy, were polte but brief with young Horace Taft then aged l2. But when. he called on Jam Far- ley, Jim engaged him in conver- sation, wanted to know boy As