Evening star., 1943-10-29
BY GOULD LINCOLN.
Star Staff Correspondent.

NEW YORK, Oct. 29-Republic-
ans on the one hand and Democrats
and American Labor party members
on the other are going to the polls
next Tuesday to elect Lieutenant
Governor of New York. The Repub-
licans are backing State Senator Joe
r. Hanley, majority leader. The
Democrats and the Laborites have
put forward as their candidate 1t
Gen. William N. Haskell, U. S. A..
retired.
Though such contest is unusual
in an off year" election, it would
not create much interest in New
York or III the country were it not
for the much wider political impli
cations.
Boiled down. the race has become
a contest between Gov. Dewey
and President Roosevelt The
spokesmen for both candidates are
not saying this. Indeed, they are
avoiding any such statement of the
case. But more and more the voters
in New York and the interested
spectators outside the State are in
terpreting the election that way.
The reasons for this are obvious
A Democratic victory would show
reversal from the Republican trend
of last year in the Empire State,
which has At votes in the electoral
college. These votes will in all prob
ability settle the presidential cleo
ton Of 1914.
Dewey Draft" at Stake.
A Democratic victory also probably
would put an end to Republican
talk OF drafting Gov. Dewey for
the COP presidential nomination
next year. Gov. Dewey repeatedly
has denied he is or will be candi-
date for the presidential nomination.
Nevertheless. there are many Repub-
licanS throughout the country who
believe that he would be the strong
est candidate they could put in the
field. The talk of draft" there
fore, still persists.
II the Democrats win the victory
1t VIII be interpreted as a sure sign
that President Roosevelt, running
for fourth term next year, can
carry the State. Furthermore. it
would bolster Democratic hopes for
victory in other States.
On the other hand, if victory
perches on the Republican banner.
1t viii raise serious doubts that the
President OF: any other Democratic
presidential candidate can win in
New York particularly in view of
the widespread feeling that this
coming election OF Lieutenant
Governor has become test of the
President strength. True, Mr.
Roosevelt himself is not running
and he probably is much stronger
than any candidate who is merely
running with his backing But the
psychology Of Republican victory
next week would have its weight.
Hanley Election Would Aid Dewey.
One thing is certain. if Mr.. Hanley
is elected Lieutenant Governor. Gov
Dewey hold on the political affec-
tionS OF the State will increase
And, in turn. the Republicans in
other parts OF the country will be
desirous OF naming him
to run for the presidency. It can
not be said tCo strongly that Gov.
Dewey wishes to serve out his
present fOur-year term as Governor
of New York-a term which will not
expire until the end of l946-and
that he is not candidate for any
other Office. But should the Re-
publican convention next wear take
the bit in its teeth and nominate
MIN regardless, II would be practi-
callv impossible for him TO decline
to accept the nomination
A strange state of affairs exists
IN the Democratic party in New
York. All factions are supporting
Gen. Haskell Democratic State
Chairman James A. Farley, former
Gov. Al Smith. both of whom are