Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-08-13

Governor. Unless there should
be last-minute draft of Dewey
at the Republican State Conven-
ton in Saratoga, September and
7, 1t. Gov. Joe R. Hanley appears
certain to receive the COP guber-
material nomination. The Demo-
Gratis, in view of the uncertain po-
litical conditions growing out OF
the Korean war. are beginning to
view MI. Hanley as much more
dangerous opponent.
The selection of a Democratic
candidate for Governor. therefore,
has taken on increased impor-
lance. AS of today the nomina-
ton appears to lie between Repre-
sentative Franklin D. Roosevelt,
jr.: Paul E. Fitzpatrick, Democratic
State chairman, and New York
Supreme Court Justice Ferdinand
Pecora. Mr.. Roosevelt made an
extremely strong race in a Spe-
cial election to fill the late Repre-
sentative Sol Blooms seat in the
House, in May. 1949. Tomorrow
he will be SO years old.
1t might well have suited Mr..
RooSevelt'S own plans to wait
few years before running for the
principal political prize in the
Empire State. The situation,
however, has shaped up differ
entity. He is not out seeking the
gubernatorial nomination - but
certainly he is not backing away
from it. There are important
Democrats in New York who
would like to have him go on the
ticket as candidate for Lieutenant
Governor. That, however, makes
no appeal to Mr.. Roosevelt. He
would prefer to remain member
of the House. He is practically
certain of denomination for his
present House seat, in a strong
Democratic district.
Lehman Influential
The idea that, with Dewey out
of the picture, the Democrats can
put across almost any candidate
for Governor in November, has
evaporated. There is no slightest
doubt that the name of Franklin
D. Roosevelt would carry great
weight in a New York election.
So the Democrats have to decide,
when they meet in Rochester in
State convention at the same
time the Republicans are making
their nominations. whether to
gamble on the Roosevelt prestige,
or to nominate for Governor JUS
tice Pecora: their State chairman,
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, or still another
candidate.
Oscar R. Ewing. head of the
Federal Security Agency and a
chief protagonist of compulsory
national health insurance, has.
been in the past much more than
a potential nominee for Cover
nor. Recently, however, he is said
to be losing strength and is likely
to be sidetracked. w. Averell Har-
riman, former Secretary of Com
merce and at present a rowing
ambassador of the United States,
also is more likely to continue in
his present job-which has taken
l,;,,a RI +loo Toy Eoct &c q crooiol
representative and observer for
President Truman. There remains
James A. Farley, former PostmaS-
ter General and Democratic ma
tional committeeman, who at one
time had a tremendous grip on
the Democratic organization of
the State, Mr.. Farley has kept a
close mouth-but there seems
grave doubt he will become a cam
didate for the nomination -
though he may hope for an i'm
portant part in the final decision.
One veteran Democrat, Senator
Lehman, who served four terms
as Governor, undoubtedly will
have a great deal to say about the
Democratic gubernatoriaI nomi-
nation. This is particularly true
since he is expected to be the
Democratic candidate for Senator
to succeed himself. At present,
Senator Lehman is saying nothing
publicly about his choice for Gov
ernor. But when the chips are
down, he will carry considerable
influence in the selection of the
candidate, who will virtually be
his running mate on the Demo-
cratic ticket. Mr.. Lehman him
self was first elected Lieutenant
Governor-with the late Franklin
D. Roosevelt as the gubernatorial
victor-in 1923. Mr.. Lehman's
only defeat at the polls was in
1916, when he lost a race for Sem
ator to Senator Ives, Republican.
Gov. Dewey in that year was WIN
ming reelection by a tremendous
vote.