Evening star., 1944-01-24
Hannegan Takes0vet;
Will Seek Far|ey's
Aid in Campaign
By the Associated Press.


By the Associated Press.
The political whereabouts OF
James A. Farley became one of the
most pressing questions confront
ing youthful Robert E. Hannegar
today as he took over the Demo-
cratic National Committee chair
manship vacated by Postmaster
General Walker.
Mr.. Hannegan moved into Demo-
cratic headquarters in a downtown
hotel with the expressed deter
mination to exert every effort to
bring Mr.. Farley and others op-
posed to a fourth term back into
the organization fold.
The new chairman had what
amounted to party instructions to
lay the groundwork for President
Roosevelt's denomination and one
of his first self-appointed tasks was
to try to bring divergent elements
into line. The practical politicians
of the National Committee left no
doubt where they stand on the
fourth-term issue with shouted ap-
proval Saturday Of hastily drawn
resolution soliciting Mr.. Roosevelt
to continue in the world leadership
role they depicted for him.
Overtures to Farley Asked.
But even then some of them
notably former Gov. E. D. Rivers
of Georgia, called for overtures to
the absent Mr.. Farley, who was
national chairman during Mr.
Roosevelt's first two campaigns.
Some indication of Mr.. Farley's
strength with the organization was
given when seven committee men,
bers voted him their first choice for
the vice presidential nomination in
a poll conducted by the Associated
Press. Speaker Rayburn topped the
poll with 18 votes and Vice President
Wallace was second with IA. Mr.
Farley took third place and War
Mobilization Director Byrnes was
fourth with five. Votes for other
candidates were scattered.
Mr.. Farley. who now serves as
New York State Democratic chair
man, talked with old friends at the
committees hotel headquarters here
last week, but did not attend any Of
the official sessions.
Friends who talked with him came
away with the impression there may
be trouble in the New York State
Democrotic ranks this year, despite
the assertion of National Commit
teeman Edward J. Flynn that the
Empire States delegation to the
Chicago convention will be solidly
for the President for fourth term.
Expected to Speak Out.
While refusing to talk for publica-
ton, Mr.. Farley left no doubt in any
ones mind that he is just as much
opposed to fourth term as he was
to third. When the time comes, he
is expected to speak out in meetings.
No one believes Mr. Farley will
bolt the party, but none OF the lead
ers can guess how much his pro-
spective GOODNESS will affect the NO
vember results in New York II the
President is renominated. And the
Democrats desperately need to carry
New York if they are to win the
presidency again.
Several party leaders attempted
during Mr.. Farley's visit here to
argue with him that he ought to go
along this time, that conditions had
changed because of the war. Their
pleas fell on deaf ears. Mr.. Hanne-
gan now proposes to take up where
they left of.
Faces Other Problems.
The Farley enigma is only one OF
several problems faced by Mr.. Han.
negan, 40-year-old exponent OF
team play" who hopes to revitalize
the Democratic organization. There
is, for example, the attitude OF some
Southern members who want some
one from their section for President
Roosevelt's running mate. Others
like Senator Maybank, Democrat, OF
South Carolina want the two-thlrdS
nominal ing rule restored and Intend
to take this fight to the convention.
CThe party formerly required a two
thirds vote for nomination, abolish
ed that in favor Of simple major
ity in 1850
There also is the problem present.
ed by the silent contingent from Vlr-
ginia, unheard from during last
weeks meeting, which doesn't relish
the idea of any more terms for MI.
Roosevelt.
These and other knotty questions
promise to provide the energetic Mr..
Hannegan with plenty to do before
the Democrats meet in Chicago next
July to nominate. The consensus is
that the former st. Louis city chair
man will have earned his years SAL
ary, whatever it is, long before then.
One Vote for Mrs. Roosevelt.
The poll on vice presidential
choices turned up at least one vote
for Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. This
ballot was put in the box by a COM
mitteewoman who commented: I'VE
may as well keep it all in one family
so long as they do such a fine job"
Other committeewomen who heard
the comment, but who had already
expressed a choice for some one else,
asked if they could change their
votes in favor of Mrs. Roosevelt,
but it was too late-the ballot boxes
were sealed.
Two of the votes were for "Mr
Roosevelt'S choice" and c :" member
simply suggested somebody from
the South"