The Wilmington morning star., 1944-08-08
BY WEsTBROOK PEGLER

ST. LOUIS. Aug. 7-Altnough the 26 Repub-
lican governors tactfully set the date for open
ing their unique political conference in St.
Louis one day after the Missouri primary, the
results have been such that their three days
of elaboration have been period of poignant
embarra ssment to statesmen of President
Roosevelt's party of humanity and OF restrain
ed exultation for the guests.
Tom Dewey spent Tuesday, primary day,
in Springfield. ILL.,, while others of the 26
either held themselves quietly 1ncognito in ST.
Louis or put in the day travelling. Meanwhile,
the citizens of Missouri were going to the polls
and the governors congress opened Wednes-
day amid a scene of some confusion and
sounds of recrimination
For, on the Democratic side Bennett Champ
Clark, MisSouri's senior senator and the col
league, personal friend and political choice of
Senator Harry Truman, the nominee for vice
president was beaten badly for denomination
by Roy McKittrick, the state attorney general
who had the support Of Sidney Hillmans Polit-
ical Action committee of the CIO-communSt
front in New York Senator Clark was, SO to
speak, the regular democratic candidate, for
he had the friendship and Endorsement of Rob.
ert c. Hannegan, chairman of the Democratic
National committee. Yet Clark's defeat was
made certain in St. Louis, where he ran more
than 1900 behind McKittrick. st. Louis is
Hannegan's own home town.
PAC and FSA
Hillman's local agency was diligent here,
especially among the workers in the war in
dustries many of whom, Of course, are relative
strangers in town. but active in the rural re-
gions as well. Hillman's assistant in the New
York headquarters of the Political Action Com:
mittee is c. B. Baldwin, who lef THE cha,
manship of the Farm Security administration
in Washington to help the CLIO in the national
subordinates in that powerful agency. The Dies
committee recently through seizure of long
distance telephone slips in New York, was en-
abled to report that Baldwin's New York po-
| lf:sal center had made number of calls to
FSA regional offices where the CLIO was fight
ing to defeat for denomination senators and
| congressman whom it condemned for exces.
sive Americanism Among them was a call to
the FSA in Springfield, Mo.
Clark'S defeat has created real bitterness
among the Democrats of Missouri and, in view
of his Endorsement by Truman and flanagan,
plainly is a defeat for the two regular Demo
Gratis of the party who rank next to President
Roosevelt. It was noted at the Chicago conven-
ton that Hillman, by mis- use OF the taxing
power over labor, conferred on him by the
president, had become Hapnegan's equal, il
not his superior in the party, although ne nolds
no party position. Now by remote control he
has Inundated Truman and Hannegan who
recently blocked his attempt to dictate the re-
nomination of Henry Wallace.
| The CLIO modesly disoWns credit for Clark S
Illustration but, in reality, is mildly alarmed
by its own success and trying to escape blame
for turn which may arouse regret among
some who voted against Clark and anger
among those who voted for him. For, while
McKittrick, too, is a Missou1ian, he is not
popular in the picturesque and sentimental
sense, and the successful intervention in Mis-
souri, of an outside pressure group on his be-
half will not endear him.
| Clark frankly denounced the Clio as a
| group controlled by communists IN a bitter
statement accepting defeat but put his faith
| in the future.
Other matters may have contributed to his
fall but the CLIO undoubtedly made the de-
| cision.
| The Republicans are thus greatly heartaned
and expect TO win Missouri in the fall, de-
Heating Truman in his home state. Their can
! didate for senator IS Forrest Z. Donnell, the
present governor. hannegan and McKittrick
tried to keep him out of office when he was
elected and did prevent his inauguration for
two month. Now they are divided and Don
nell meets the CLOS candidate head-on in an
warns the state that vote for McKittrick will
be vote for Hillman and communism.
SO THEY SAY