Evening star., 1949-09-03
Lehman Has Had Ambition
For Years to Be Senator
Once Tried to Persuade Wagner
To Swap Offices in New York
Bv Gould Lincoln
The Political Mill

Herbert Lehman has for years had an
ambition to be a member OF the United
States Senate. At one time when he was
Governor of New York he sought to per-
suade former Senator Bob Wagner to trade
horses-so that he. Lehman, could have the
Democratic nomination for Senator and
Wagner would run for Governor. But Sena-
tor Wagner declined with thanks. In 1916
Mr.. Lehman did get crack at running for
the Senate. He had the Democratic nominal
ton for the Senate, and also those of the
American Labor Party and of the Liberal
Party. He was beaten by Senator Ives, Re-
publican, by about 250000 votes,
When Senator Wagner resigned a couple Of
months ago, it was we'll understood that MI.
Lehman would like to have the nomination
to run next November. Senator Wagners
son hoped to succeed his father-and there
was considerable talk of labor union support
for his nomination. Young Franklin D.
Roosevelt, jr., had just been elected to the
House in the old Sol Bloom district, by big
vote, and there were suggestions he would
make strong candidate for the Senate. The
Democratic high command, however, pre-
ferred Mr.. Lehman. He had been elected
Governor several times and he was considered
a stronger candidate than any of the others
mentioned. particularly as he could be relied
upon to get practically the solid Jewish vote
i d
Yielded to Draft" Plans.
Mr.. Lehman, however, was coy, and it was
only after plans to draft" him had been
made that he yielded to the plans of the
Democratic leaders. He has the blessing Of
President Truman as we'll as the support Of
Mayor ODwyer of New York, Ed Flynn.
leader of the Bronx and Democratic national
committeeman, and of the Roosevelts, Mrs.
Eleanor and Franklin D.. jr.
The New York senatorial election will be
watched with the keenest interest. 1t is the
first important election in big State since
the 1a48 Republican fasco. New York went
for Governor Dewey last year. but only by
the grace of the split among the Democrats
and the radicals occasioned by the candidacy
of Henry Wallace. If the Democrats can
win this Senate seat, it will be feather in
their cap, decidedly, and pleasant augury
for next years congressional elections.
The Republicans cannot afford to lose in
New York. If they do. it will be a serious
blow to party morale that is already mighty
low. Some Republicans have not been slow
to say that Governor Dewey himself should
make the race-but the Governor has said
emphatically he did not intend to be a can
didate. There is no other outstanding polit-
ical figure among the Republicans for the
senatorial nomination. They are, therefore.
concentrating on John Foster Dulles, now
serving in the Senate under Gov. Dewey'S
appointment. Senator Dulles is man of
great ability, particularly in the field Of
foreign affairs, where he has had distin-
guished career. and he has demonstrated his
worth in the Senate during his two months
service. Senator Dulles frankly is disinclined
to run-but he may be persuaded, and prob
ably will be, according to reports from New
York. The Republican State committee will
make the nomination September Is.
Old Story to Electorate.
1t may not be all smooth sailing for the
veteran Lehman. He is an old story to tie
electorate-he was elected lieutenant gov
ernor in 1928 when the late President Roosc-
velt headed the Democratic State ticket. 11e
was elected Governor in 1882. and served in
that Office for 10 years. He is now in his
I'D year. He did not run for reelection as
Governor in 1912. but was appointed director
general of UNRRA in 1943 and quit that jon
before he ran for the Senate in 1916.
Mr.. Lehman leaped into the recent contro-
versy over Federal aid to parochial schools
between Cardinal Spellman and Mrs Flea
nor Roosevelt-chiding the cardinal for his
attack on the widow of the former President.
Obviously Mr.. Lehman will have Catholic
support in the coming campaign, since he
has Mayor ODWyer and Ed Flynn in his COR
ner. But there is a suspicion that a feeling
of resentment still exists.
Also MI. Lehman will not have the support
OF the American Labor Party, as he did in the
Senate race three years ago and as he did
in gubernatorial contests. The Labor Party
is planning to put up candidate of its own.
There is quite battle in the making which
may turn out larger vote than is usual in
special elections.