Evening star., 1944-02-24

VII IicIN LAPtIItu
From BarkIey Speech
The wave of political commen
flowing into Washington in th
wake of Senate Majority Leade
Barkley's break with Presiden
Roosevelt over the tax bill vet
reflected wide difference of opin
ion over the effect 1t would have Of
the approaching national election
In Frankfort, KY, George Glenl
Hatcher, former Democratic Secre
tary of State, said he was wiring tn
majority leader that "Barkley-for
President clubs will spring up al
over the Nation" Mr.. Hatche
added that the Senator's "histori
speech" was a tonic the Natiol
needs"
Perhaps the most definite reac
ton was the statement in New Yorl
of Col. Robert Harvey White, whit
had announced in December that h,
would run as an independent in thi
years senatorial primary in Ken
lucky, that he will withdraw from
the race in favor of Senator Bark
ley because of the Senator's ''cou
rageous and justified stand regard
ing the tax bill
Democrats Seek Peace.
Most Democrats willing to bt
quoted. however, sought to pour OF
on the party's troubled waters.
IT regret very much Mr.. Barkley
decision, but It happens in the bes
regulated families. you know" OBJ
served Chairman SABBATH of tn,
House Rules Committee.
James A. Farley, former Demo.
cratic national chairman, who op,
posed the Presidents third tern
nomination in 1910, declined com.
ment-with a smile.
Other Capitol Comment.
Other comment at the Capitol in.
cluded:
Senator Hawkes., Republican, o.
New Jersey--Any man who has sub.
merged his own personal feelings a.
many times as Senator Barkley ha.
during the last seven years as ma.
jority leader in trying to carry into
effect the Presidents wishes mus
have a very excellent reason for re.
fusing to carry the load further
Senator Walsh, Democrat, of New
jersey concur unqualifiedly ir
every word of Senator Barkley's
moving speech, and I honor him fol
making it. More than ever he has
proved that he should be the ma
Jority leader.
Senator Moore, Republican. of
Oklahoma.-"Even the Republicans
can afford to applaud Barkley's ac-
ton. He rose to magnificent heights
as a statesman. 1t proves that we
still are a great country, bigger
than any one man and the clique
he surrounds himself with 1t def
nitely sets Congress apart from be-
ing under the executive thumb.
Senator Caraway, Democrat, OF
Arkansas)-I thought Mr.. Barkley
made wonderful speech. I was
among the first to stand and cheer
him. largely agree with his views
and probably shall vote to override
the Presidents tax veto.
Rogers Backs President.
Representative Rogers, Democrat
Of California wired the President
last night that Senator Barkley
did not speak for me when he sale
that your veto message insulted tht
honesty and integrity of each mem.
Der of Congress" Mr.. Rogers con.
tinued:
Il thought it was brilliant mes
sage which simply showed up the
tax bill for what 1t was, measure
favoring war profiteers and bill
which in the year of our greatest
national income has no relation te
wartime needs"
Gov. Spessard Holland of Florids
expressed fear that If the breach
between the President and his Sen
ate leader is not healed it will
jeopardize Democratic chances ir
the coming election.
Pepper Expresses Regret.
Also from Florida came the wore
that Senator Pepper, strong sup.
porter of the President, regretted
the Barkley Roosevelt rift.
Senator Downey. Democrat, o.
California called the revolt 80 seri.
GUS a matter that hesitate to com
ment."
"It is an understatement to say
that it certainly can't help the Dem.
ocrats," he added. 60 I very
much regret to see this break in the
Democratic party"
On the other side, Democratic
Gov. Herbert B. Nav of Utah pre-.
dicted it would not attract any
more than passing interest"
Too Tragic for Comment
Mayor F.. H. La Guardia of New
York. a political irregular who i:
registered in the American Labor
party but was an active campaignel
for Mr.. Roosevelt in 1910. called tn.
situation too tragic for comment
now
Let us hope" he said, that or
reflection it will be seen by all thai
a break between the Chief Execu'
tive and Congress just must no.
happen. We are at war"
Postmaster General Walker, wht
recently resigned as Democratic ma
tional chairman to turn the party
reins ever to Mr.. Hannegan, sale
he saw no serious implications II
Senator Barkley's resignation.