Evening star., 1947-08-21
The Political Mill
Democratic Convention
Likely in San Francisco
Good Offer Repeatedly Received by
Hannegan in Recent Visit
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
San Francisco is way out In front for t<~
honor of holding the Democratic National Con-
vention next year. Reports received here are
to the effect that Chairman Robert E. Hanne'
gan of the Democratic National Committee III
his recent visit to the Pacific CoaSt-froul
which he will soon return-received a parttcu.
larly good offer from San Francisco--ons
equally as persuasive as that of Philadelphia,
which is ready to contribute s25O,o00
For several reasons the Democratic high
command is anxious to have the convention
held on the Pacific Coast Los Angeles is said
also to be knocking at the door, but the more
northern city apparently has the inside track.
The matter will be determined when the Demo-
cratic National Committee meets here about
september %, at the call of Chairman Hanne-
gan,
1T looks now as though the Democratic
national organization is due for a thorough
revamping. Not only is it probable that Mr..
Hannegan, because of his health, will step out
of the craftsmanship, but it is now learned
that George Kiion, treasurer, is planning to
resign. Mr.. Killion recently was elected presi-
dent of the American President Lines Ltd. and
is returning to California, where the company
has its headquarters. He has been here in
Washington, doing a full-time job for the
national committee, since he took over the
treasurer's post when Edwin w. Pauley re-
signed that Office soon after the conclusion of
the 1914 campaign.
Mr.. Hannegan, during his visit to California,
talked with all factions of the Democratic
Party. They have been at swords point for
months. Among those with whom he was in
Is
the late President and chairman of the Demo-
cratic State Committee; Bob Kenny, former
attorney general, who has sponsored the Wall
lace-for-P President drive in the State, and Mr..
Pauley national committeeman for California
who accompanied Mr.. Hannegan on his quick
vacation trip to Hawaii. The feuds among the
Democrats in California are bitter and will
take good bit of ironing out. That is one
reason for taking the national convention
there next year. Another is that President
Truman as head of the host nation played an
important part in the final ceremonies of the
birth of the United Nations in San Francisco
in 1945-and that he would like to return
there as the party's presidential nominee next
year to deliver an important speech on world
affairs.
Mr. Hannegan, on his return from Hawaii,
will go to Lake Tahoe for rest. and then
back to Washington, where he will have a
thorough checkup by the White House
physician, Brig. Gen. Wallace Graham. On
the report ne receives, Mr.. Hannegan will
decide whether he will hold on to the national
Craftsmanship or not The prediction is that
he will resign.
To Apportion Delegates.
The national committee, in addition to
picking q site for the coming national con-
vention when it meets here will also apportion
the number of delegates among the States and
Territories and the District of Columbia. The
Philippine Islands, now independent will no
longer have delegation in the convention.
In 1914. the total delegate strength was Its.
Some of the Southern Democrats, whose States
continue to go solidly for Democratic candi-
dates both for the presidency and for Congress,
are insisting that they are entitled to
bonus" in delegate strength-but whether they
will get 1t is another matter
The name of Secretary Anderson of the
Agriculture Department still stands high on
the list Of possible selections for the Demo-
cratic national Craftsmanship if Mr. Hannegan
steps out 1t is known that President Truman
personally has urged Mr.. Anderson to take
the post, and that he, the President has been
active in the matter for months. Mr. Anderson,
however, is in none too good health, according
to reports and has been reluctant to take over
the arduous task of running the partys ma
tionaI organization in campaign year.
The Democratic high command has been
cheered greatly by evidences that many OF the
elements which went to make up the strength
of the late President Roosevelt are falling in
line for Mr.. Truman. When President Whitney
of the Brotherhood Of Railroad Trainmen
announced his support of the President, it
was considered quite feather in the cap OF
the national communication Mr.. Whitney was
out to "get" Mr. Truman after the President
had broken the railroad strike last year.
Senator Pepper of Florida, who has been train
ing along with former Vice President Wallace,
too has declined to have anything to do with
a third party and will, he says, support Mr..
Truman. The White House, however, Is
particularly anxious to learn what Mr.. Wallace
himself will say when he resumes his speaking
tour of the country, beginning with Labor
Day speech in Detroit. 1t Is announced that
Mr.. Wallace will denounce the Taft-Hartley
labor law-and go along with the Truman
administration to that extent. Whether Mr..
Wallace will abandon his third party threats
remains to be seen.