Evening star., 1944-07-19
Democratic Convention

Democratic convention which opens
in Chicago today promises to be a
one-man show, and therefore lack
ing in sensational surprises.
The selection of President Roose-
velt for fourth-term nomination
is foregone conclusion. There are
indications that perhaps as many as
10 per cent Of the delegates, all from
the South, will vote for Senator Byrd
Of Virginia, both as protest against
some of the administrations policies
and as tribute to the fortnight
Virginian. But by no stretch of the
imagination can this be viewed as
serious threat to the President.
His position is secure, because he is
the only candidate with whom the
Democrats can hope to win and the
delegates know it.
Despite reports that the party's
platform has been written in ad-
vance and stamped with the Presi-
dents approval, there is plain evi-
dence of dangerous friction over the
racial plank. The clash here is
between the Southern delegates on
the one hand and the CIO and
Negro spokesmen on the other. Be-
cause Of his commanding position
as the party's sole hope, the Presi-
dent, of course, can have whatever
kind Of racial plank he wants. But
it does not follow that a plank salts
factory to him can be drafted with
out causing serious impairment of
Democratic strength among either
the Negro voters or in the South. At
best, this question poses a ticklish
and delicate problem for the plat
form writer's.
1t Is in the selection of a vice
presidential candidate, however that
the convention faces its hardest
shedding. BY his severely restrained
Endorsement Of Henry A. Wallace
the President has served notice that
the vice presidential race, for the
time being at least, is an open con-
test II matters threaten to get out
of hand he may step in, as he did in
1910, and name his own running
mate, but there is no present indica-
ton that he intends to do so.
. This leaves a fertile field for seri-
GUS dissension. Mr.. Wallace, despite
the loss OF Mr.. Roosevelt's active
support, Is making a determined
fight to retain his old place on the
ticket. He has strength among some
of the important elements OF the
party, and he cannot be dropped
without leaving wounds that will be
slow to heal
Another probable casualty among
the vice presidential hopefuls is
James F. Byrnes, head Of the Office
OF War Mobilization. The case of
Mr.. ByrneS reflects no credit on the
Democratic party. Here is a man
who, at the request of the President,
gave up place of distinction on the
Supreme Court to apply his talents
to the prosecution of the war. His
has been trying and thankless
job, but he has done it we'll. He has
taken great load from the Presi-
dent, and by his skill and courage
he has kept the wheels of our in
duStrial war machine turning and
has STAYED off the selfish pressure
group demands which would have
wrecked our economy. This could
not be done in manner to please
every one, of course, and it now
develops that labor politicians have
decreed that Mr.. Byrnes must not
be the nominee on the grounds that
labor will not support him because
he has insisted on wage controls and
that, coming from the South, he
cannot attract the Negro vote. Mr..
ByrneS, being the good soldier, will
swallow his medicine if he is forced
to step aside, but it will not sit we'll
with those independent voters who
believe that qualities such as ability
and integrity should determine the
selection of the second man on the
Democratic ticket in this critical
election.
AS matters stand. unless the Presi-
dent steps into the picture, the con-
vention probably will settle on a COM
promise vice presidential candidate.
Thus, the appearance of harmony
may be preserved, but it the nominee
is not man in whom the people can
have confidence as a possible sue
cessor to Mr.. Roosevelt, the party's
election prospects will surely suffer,
eohorn