Evening star., 1946-11-17
Kerr Reported
Next Chairman
For Democrats
Oklahoma Governor
Expected to Succeed
Hunnegun in January
picture on Page A-8.)
By the Associated Pres,


Gov. Robert S. Kerr of Okla
homa was reported yesterday to
be the choice of party leaders to
succeed Robert E. Hannegan as
Democratic National Chairman
If the latter resigns in January
as expected.
President Truman was said by as
sociateS to look with favor on the
selection of Gov. Kerr, who keynoted
the 1914 party convention at which
Mr.. Truman was nominated for
Vice President.
Gov. Kerr threw the % Oklahoma
votes he received for Vice President
on the first ballot of the 1914 con-
vention to Mr.. Truman on the sec
ond ballot, when the latter was nom
mated.
Hannegan to Stay in Cabinet.
Friends of Mr.. Hannegan, who
recently went to Walter Reed Hos
pital for physical checkup, report
he has expressed desire to step out
as chairman at the annual meeting
of the Democratic National Com
mittee here shortly after the first
OF the year.
However, Mr.. Hannegan is expect
ed to retain his place in the cabinet
as Postmaster General.
The fact that Oklahoma remained
IN the Democratic column in this
years Republican turnover, elect
ing Roy Turner Governor to succeed
Gov. Kerr, brought the latter again
into the limelight. Gov. Kerr often
has been mentioned as a possible
cabinet appointee.
On the other hand, the Demo-
Gratis loss of New York apparently
retarded the chances of Paul E..
Fitzpatrick, that States party
chairman, to succeed Mr.. Hanne-
gan.
Supporter of Roosevelt.
The choice of Gov. Kerr would
bring to the party leadership a
Southwestern Governor who has
been a staunch supporter of the
policies of the late President
Roosevelt.
Gov. Kerr, a wealthy oil man,
could be expected to be acceptable
to conservative Southern Demo-
Gratis. however, since he has few ap-
parent political ties with the wing
of the party OF which Henry A.
Wallace, former Secretary Of Com
merce, Is a spokesman.
Because Mr.. Hannegan seemingly
exerted strong influence on Presi-
dent Truman in the latter's reac-
tion to legislative proposals, the Sc
lection of new chairman will be
watched closely by Republicans as
well as Democrats for possible ef-
feet on Mr.. Truman's relations with
the new GOP-controlled Congress.
The President has held out the
olive branch to the Republicans,
urging cooperation between the
legislative and executive branches
on measures for the benefit of the
country.
Peace on COP Terms.
Republicans publicly have. ac-
cepted this truce, but many of them
have made it plain that if peace is
maintained with the President it
will be largely on their terms.
They have said fatty that if Mr..
Truman wants to go down the
middle of the road, well and good.
But they have indicated that if he
renews some of the legislative pro-
posals he made to the 10th Congress
in pledged effort to carry out the
Roosevelt program there will be
strong opposition.
Democrats in Congress have
crossed fingers, doubling the ability
of any Democratic President to get
along with a Republican majority
that Enthusiastically plans to make
drastic revisions in Democratic
supported measures.
Senator Mcmahon, Democrat. of
Connecticut, put this viewpoint into
words before he left Washington
for a short tour of Europe. Said he:
When I see the promised CO.
operation, I shall enjoy the novelty" )"