Evening star., 1950-07-11
The Political Mill
The Political Mil
DenfeId to Give Color.
To Massachusetts Ruce
Will Give 6. O. P. New Look
In Gubernotoriol Primary
By Gould Lincoln

When Admiral Louis E. Denfeld an
nounced his candidacy for the Repub-
lican gubernatorial nomination in Mas
SachuSetts last week it became clear that
the primary campaign will hold unusual
interest. Admiral Denfeld in Massacl1u-
sets. it is said, is to take the same line
the progressive line-that Gov. Duff has
taken in Pennsylvania and Gov. Dris-
coll in New Jersey. The admiral, in
deed, provides new face in Republican
politics in the Bay State, and If he is
nominated for Governor he will give the
party new look.
Republicans in Massachusetts, had
been fully prepared to nominate the late
Representative George Bates for Cover
nor. and Mr.. Bates had agreed to run,
and would have made a popular candi-
date. Since his death a number of can
didates have thrown their hats in the
ring, or are prepared to do so. Among
them are former 1t. Gov. Arthur w.
Coolidge, former Attorney General Clar-
ence A. Barnes, Judge Franklin w. L.
Miles, former State Senator Edward M.
Rowe. The most formidable of these
candidates was Mr.. Barnes-and he may
be the man whom Admiral Denfeld has
to defeat In Massachusetts, nomination
may be made by plurality vote-that
is, a majority Of the total vote cast in
the primary is not necessary.
Foes Old in Politics.
Admiral Denfeld. according to reports
from Massachusetts, affords the only bit
Of color in the race. Whoever the Re-
publican nominee turns out to be, it
seems certain that he will find himself
opposed by present Gov. Paul Dever,
Democrat, in the general election in No
vember. Admiral Denfelds opponents
are old in the political game. and Ad-
m1ral Denfeld is newcomer. Between
today and September 20, when the pri-
mary election is run off, he must get his
views before the voters and build what
ever organization he can.
The admiral is already widely known
because of his conflict last October with
Secretary Of Defense Louis johnson and
Secretary of the Navy Matthews over the
Administrations program for unification
OF the Armed Forces, under the Defense
Department. The result Of the battle was
the ousting of Denfeld as Chief of Naval
Operations. Admiral Denfeld's defense
OF the Navy was extremely popular in
many quarters-and it will do him no
harm now, particularly should it turn
out that his complaints against Secre-
tary johnson were justiied-as the war
in Korea develops further. 1t was Ad-
miral Denfelds contention that the
Navy had been denied full partnership
in policy making-and that the Navy
was getting the little end of the stick
in reorganization, uniication and new
plans for the armed forces.
Ticket of New Faces
Mason Sears, who has been chairman
of the Republican State Committee, re-
signed two weeks ago. Mr.. Sears will be
in Admiral Denfeld's corner and it is
understood that he really was in part
responsible for the admiral's candidacy.
Since Denfeld's announcement, Mr..
Sears has given his hearty endorsement
to the admiral as the best man to head
the COP ticket. Mr.. Sears has been in
sisting on ticket Of new faces" for
the Republican Party this year.
The contest for the gubernatorial
nomination will line up the more pro-
gressive Republicans against the So
called Old Guard. And the fight may be
brisk. The new State chairman, who
succeeded Mr.. Sears, is Daniel Tyler Of
Brookline, who is identified with Repub-
lican National Committeeman Sinclair
Weeks.
Before Admiral Denfeld announced
he would run for Governor he was Of
fered the Office of director of the Port
of Boston by Gov. Dever. But Admiral
Denfeld, who had been an old friend of
Gov. Dever, turned down the offer be-
cause, he said, there was too much
politics involved, and he had demanded
a free hand.
Not for years has a regular Army or
regular Navy man sought high political
office in Massachusetts, At one time
there was talk of nominating the late
Gen. Clarence R. Edwards, who COM
manded the Yankee Division in the first
World War. but nothing ever came Of it.
Senator Lodge resigned during the sec
ond World War. to enter the Army and
serve overseas. On his return to civil
life, Mr.. Lodge sought again his old
Senate seat, and was elected