Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-16
The Political Mill
Democratic Split in New York Widened
AS Flynn Steps Out as National Chairman

tirely aloof from the President.
He may succeed in electing many
upstate anti-Roosevelt delegates
and perhaps few in the city, but
presumably there will be a size
able Roosevelt bloc in the delega-
ton. If the war should be over
by the time delegates are pledged
and elected, the picture may be
different.
New Color to Organization.
With Mr., Flynn resigning as
Bronx leader, the Democratic
organization in New York City
takes on new color, too. The
Bronx. next to Brooklyn, is the
most populous of the city bor-
oughs. So far Mr.. Flynn has not
yet been able to dictate his sue
cessor as leader. The strong man
of the city, in the Democratic
organization, may we'll turn out
to be Frank Kelly, the Brooklyn
leader.
Mr. Kelly allied himself with
Mr.. Farley in the fracas last
summer, and held his delegation
in line for the nomination Of
John j. Bennett, jr., the Farley
candidate for Governor, over
Senator Mead, who had the
Presidents backing. Obviously
something must be done to get
the city Democratic organization
to functioning more efficiently.
For some years now the party
has been unable to elect a mayor,
although the city Is known to be
overwhelmingly Democratic. Per-
haps Mr.. Kelly will be able to
turn the trick, If he gets the
chance.
The terrible licking which the
Democrats took in the recent
gubernstorial election has left
the party in bad shape. The
Democrats have neither q Gov
ernor of New York nor Mayor
of New York City-and the Leg
islature Is Republican in both
houses. Gov. Dewey's ambition
is to solidify Republican gains
and to keep New York Repub-
lican State. He has just begun
his administration, but the pros
poets are good. His appoint
ments to Office have been we'll
received, and his determination
to be Governor-and not a pros
pective candidate for the Presi-
dency in 1944-giving all his time
to the job, Is also helping him.
New Paving" Probe Doubted.
Efforts are being made already
to get Gov. Dewey to reopen the
Flynn paving block" case. II
Mr.. Flynn is confirmed by the
Senate as Minister to Australia
and he sets off on his long jaunt
it does not seem likely that the
case will be reopened at this
time anyway. Gov. Dewey In all
probability will not initiate a new
investigation on his own, but If a
considerable number of respon-
sible citizens petition him to do
so that would be a different
matter. He could get at the
matter by appointing a special
commission to investigate the
administration OF affairs in the
Bronz If he wished.
How far Mr.. Farley is going In
a campaign to head off Roose-
welt nomination for a fourth term
remains to be seen. The former
chief political lieutenant of the
President has Just gone to Mexico
on business. Before he left, how
ever, he had been travelling ex-
tensively around the country and
had consulted with a number of
anti-New Deal Democrats. He
may be expected to renew such
expeditions when he gets back.
One thing is obvious, however,
and that is If the President Is to
be a candidate for another presi-
Dental nomination he will get
it unless another candidate can
be found who might defeat him.
1t would be toughest kind Of a
job under all the circumstances,
not the least of which is the ire
mendous power which any Presi-
dent has to dictate his own NOM
nation If he desires to do so.
Mr.. Farley's effort will be, how
ever, to make 1t certain there Is
no unanimous draft among the
Democrats for fourth term
nomination Of Mr.. Roosevelt.