Evening star., 1944-09-11

no one. Tor example, questions that
Mr.. Hillman and his afinated
groups are making a far greater
contribution to Mr.. Roosevelt's
fourth-term campaign than are the
Democratic National Committee OF
the Democratic State machines
outside of the Solid South.
The Hillman groups are better
organized, better financed, more
ably directed and far more earnest
and enthusiastic than the regular
party organizations. Moreover, they
are working very much harder and
more effectively.
The fact is that in number OF
the more electorally important
States. outside the South, the regu-
lar Democratic organizations are
relatively feeble affairs, in which
figure many men who are only per-
functorily for Mr.. Roosevelt and
have no great heart in the fight
though the exigencies of politics
compel them to make it.
The real Roosevelt strength In
these States, aside from the CIO,
is what the Dunn Survey calls The
Bought Vote" 1t consists of the
vast army of Federal jobholders,
who have reached a total well above
three million in the country, and
whose continuation on the pay roll
depends upon the continuation of
Mr.. Roosevelt in the White House
Energy. Zeal and Force.
But, the real energy, the real zeal
and the real force behind the
fourth-term effort is furnished by
the CIO-Communist leadership.
There are to be found Mr.. Roose-
velts most ardent and sincere sup
porters.
The character and volume of the
praise which they heap upon him,
and the fervor of their efforts in
his behalf, make the activities, in
Guiding publicity. of the Democratic
National Committee appear pallid
and puny in comparison.
Certainly, no posted person thinks
that Chairman Hannegan, of the
National Committee, is as forceful
or important a figure in this CAM
paign as Is MIR. Hillman. head of
the PAC of the CIO, and boss of
the American Labor party
And should Mr.. Roosevelt be re-
elected, certainly no one would con-
tend that Mr.. Hannegan had done
as much to re-elect him as Mr..
Hillman. 1t Is as absurd to say
now as it would be absurd to say
then that Mr.. Roosevelt owes as
much to Mr.. Hannegan as to Mr..
Hillman.
1t was different in 1882 and 1896.
In those campaigns, so far as prac-
tical politics was concerned, the
Presidents debt was deeper to Mr..
James A. Farley than to any other.
It was he who ran his campaign,
supplied the brains and the man
agerial ability. And, in 1910, it was
Mr.. Flynn. In none of those CAM
paigns was there any figure to
measure against the national chair
man.
But, this time it is very different.
This time the figure of Hillman
towers above the figure of Hanne-
gan and everybody knows it. AT
Democratic headquarters and the
White House, with both of which
Mr.. Hillman Is in constant touch,
the phrase Clear it through Sid
ney" is frequently heard. AS re-
ported in the New York Times. and
repeated by Representative Luce,
it was supposed to have been used
first by the President.
At any rate, a great many admin
istration political matters are being
cleared through Sidney. And Sid
ney and his friends are working
night and day for the fourth term
with vigor, zeal and determination
not found anywhere else.
Told in Detail.
The Hillman denials of any am
bition to take over the Democratic
party are clearly made to avoid
unfavorable reaction to his becom-
ing too conspicuous and powerful
before the election. But Mr.. Hill
mans Communist affiliates make no
such denial.
On the contrary, the Daily Worker
tells in detail of the Communist
penetration into the Democratic
ranks, gives instructions for deeper
penetration, deplores the fact that
the Democratic party is still par
TALLY a bourgeoise party" but speaks
hopefully of the day when 'it will
become completely peoples party"
In the event of Roosevelt re-
election, Mr.. Hillman certainly
would be in the saddle as the most
powerful politician in the country
with more formidable machine
than that of the regular Democrats
He and the Communists deliber-
ately have chosen the Democratic
party as the instrument through
which they intend to work politi-