Evening star., 1949-07-19
The Political Mill
CO.. P. to Be Blamed
For Any Depression
Democratic High Command Acts
to Put Idea Over to Public
Bv Gould Lincoln

It's Republican depression-if there Is
one That's what the Democratic high COM
mand Is now starting to put across to the
people. just in case economic conditions in
this country should deteriorate and unen-
ployment should grow to large proportions.
Chairman Howard McGrath Of the Demo-
cratic National Committee sounded off along
these lines last week at a jefferson jackson
dinner in Pensacola, Fla. He started out
by saying that Soviet Russia wants a de-
preston in this country. Then he added
the Republicans were climbing in bed with
the Russian Communists because they saw
in depression their only chance to defeat
the Democrats in the elections next year.
He quoted Senator Brewster of Maine,
chairman of the Republican Senatorial Com
mittee as saying: I'VE are now in state
Of depression" Other Republicans. he said.
agreed with Mr.. Brewster.
The very fact that President Truman has
come forward with large plans for printing
the pump is evidence, too, that the Demo-
Gratis are worried.
Rhode Island Hard Hit.
New England Democratic leaders are par
ticularly worried incidentally, Chairman
McGrath is Senator from Rhode Island.
which according to Government reports Is
one of the hard-hit spots In the country
with unemployment mounting. Secretary
of Commerce Sawyer has just announced
that he is starting job survey throughout
the country, and that he will go to Boston
to initiate it July Is.
Gov. Chester Bowles of Connecticut, Demo-
crat. who came to Washington to attend
meeting OF Americans for Democratic Action.
took occasion to praise the President, Mr..
Sawyer and others in the administration Tor
the plans to throw Government money and
activity into depressed areas.
The Connecticut Governor, with 10000
unemployed and part-time industrial work
ers. has a real problem on his hands.
He is also candidate for reelection next
year-he said 50 emphatically while here.
The voters must be convinced that. If there
is falling of in business and employment.
the Democrats are not responsible and also
that Democratic administration Is willing
to do more for distressed workers than are
the Republicans.
The Connecticut situation politically IS
further complicated by the fact that Coy.
Bowles must appoint successor to Repub-
lican Senator Baldwin next December. Sem
ator Baldwin is resigning from the Senate
to accept appointment to the bench rendered
him by Gov. Bowles. Gov. Bowles appointee
will serve until an election Is held, which
means two Connecticut Senate seats will
be fought for in the 1850 elections. Senator
election:
Bowles Denies Report.
Gov. Bowles denied fatty an earlier report
that he had under consideration the appoint
ment Of a Negro lawyer to I'LL the Senate
seat which will be vacated next winter by
Senator Baldwin. He said he did not know
how such runlor got around. And ne added
that he would not be opposed to appointing
a Negro per Sc. He was close -mouthed about
his prospective appointee.
In some quarters another rumor has sprung
up to the effect Gov. Bowles will appoint
Mrs. Chase Going Woodhouse, Democratic
Representative from the second congress
sional district, to fill the Baldwin vacancy.
If he should, Connecticut would have the
only woman Senator, except Mrs Margaret
Chase Smith Of Maine, Republican, elected
last year. Also, some Republican leaders
have been trying to interest Mrs. Clare Boothe
Luce, former Representative, in Republi.
can senatorial nomination in Connecticut
next year. Gov. Bowles might like to have
a woman candidate Of his own to offset a
Luce appeal.
The Connecticut situation Is symptomatic.
There are plenty of other States in which
the Democrats may find themselves in tough
election contests If times should grow diff
cult within the next twelve months. The
Democrats must re-elect Senators in Cali.
fornia. Illinois, Washington, Pennsylvania.
Idaho. Utah, and must elect Senator in
New York, where the Republicans might
have real chances.
No one should want depression. But II
one develops. there is apparently going to be
a mad scramble to fix the blame-either on
the Republicans or the Democrats.