Evening star., 1950-02-05
Franklin Roosevelt, Jr.,
BEING Groomed for Albany
Columnist Discusses Preparations for
Gaining Nomination for Governor
By Frank X. Kent

Gaining Nomination for Governor
By Frank X. Kent
The efforts to build young Franklin Roose-
velt up to a size where he must be nomi-
mated by the Democrats for Governor OF
New York next November is not going so
well For this there are several reasons.
The chief of these seems to be the source
and character of his publicity Most of this
comes from interested persons so close to
him personally as to make the fulsome-
ness Of their praise slightly sickening. A
second trouble is their technique. Their
notion OF an argument is to assert that the
mere suggestion of either James or Frank
lin Roosevelt achieving success in politics
is enough to cause all the rich old reac-
tionaries" in the country to tear their hair
in rage or swoon with fright. This is
considered not only effective politically but
screamingly funny. 1t is, of course, pretty
silly stuff but it does give an idea of the
caliber of the new gubernatorial aspirant
and his Journalistic masseurs.
It is interesting to note that in none Of
the printed grease in which young Frank
lin Is now being drenched is there any ref
erence to his qualifications for the gover-
norship. Great emphasis is placed on his
personal charm" his extraordinary VIC
tory in the district last year and the vote
getting asset of his name. Not a word is
said about either his character or his ability.
No mention is made of his public record.
OF course, as yet, he has no public record.
Nor has he ever been in position where his
ability could be judged. AS to his views"
his speeches have merely r1outhed the
word of the welfare state administration
lists and he has carefully echoed the Amer
leans for Democratic Action propaganda.
If since he came to CongreSs-or before
he has done any thinking for himself about
issues OF measures or men, there has been
no sign OF 1t.
Notwithstanding the spoiled child"
characteristics which protrude, when he first
came to Congress the disposition of his COLI
leagues was rather to like him personally.
He has done good deal to change this
recently. Among the incidents which do not
reflect credit on him may be mentioned his
slightly degrading controversy with Clayton
Powell, Negro Congressman from New York.
who accused him of discourteously usurping
Mr.. Powell's prerogative to present the petit.
ton to bring the FEPC bill OUT of committee
in order to "glorify' himself and promote his
gubernatorial ambitions. Another was his
attack. upon Congressman Clarence Brown,
OF Ohio, who, in replying. gave the rather
startling figures of the number of important
roll calls Junior had missed since he took
his seat and suggested that he could not
learn House procedure in New York night
clubs nor by nocturnal n1editations on
Fifty-second street." A third. was his in
excusable use of the word .'chicanery" in
referring to the greatly beloved and respected
Congressman James w. Wadsworth. He also
indicated his belief that Senator Taft and
ex-President Hoover were somewhat "hypo-
critical" And. finally, there was the typi-
cally bumptious reply to the question of why
he refused to debate with Wendell Wilkes
son Philip over the radio. why" he asked.
Should make that fellow big shot?".
AL this has combined to create the i'm
preston OF an unpleasantly Immature and
self lf-assertive playboy, chiefly, interested in
promoting himself politically as fast as pos
sible, but not to be regarded asraising either
the mental or moral level of the House. OF
course, he may correct this! idea in the
present session and make record that will
commend him generally. But no one will
claim that he has yet made a.start in that
direction. His publicity promoters have
practically drawn blueprint of how, with
the aid OF his friend, Ed Flynn of Belgian
paving block fame, he can ed khe guberna-
tor1al prize through the old labor union.
Negro combination. 1t is to be worked for
MIN by his political aides and agents. He is
to stay in Washington (mostly) and "stick
to his knitting" pretending not to be inter.
ested in anything except his seat in the
House. while his friends sew the nomination
UP for him.
Perhaps. it will work out the way they
have it planned. However, there are a
good many hurdles to take and quite a few
persons to push out of the way. Also, there
is the question of being elected after being
nominated. Juniors boosters insist the
name alone will carry him. Junior" they
say, is just the boy to do the trick" But
that is not necessarily so. For 10 years
now. the Democrats have not had a real
majority in New York State. In that time
they have carried the State for President
and for Senator by the grace of the so.,
called Liberal Party bossed by David Dublin
sky. the labor leader, and the American
Labor Party. admittedly dominated by the
Communists.
Combined, the two parties poll upward
Of 100000 votes. Without their support
President Roosevelt would not have carried
the State in either 1910 or 1914 With their
support, President Truman failed to carry
1t IN 1S4S and Senator Lehman would have
peen Overwhelmingly beaten last year but
for them. The indisputable truth is that
for its success in the greatest State in the
Union. the Democratic Party is completely
dependent. upon these two splinter parties.
It isn't savory situation. If the people of
New York ever really grasp the character
OF the men who control their State and
what shabby. subservient instrument the
Democratic Party has become there, it will
take good deal more than Junior has to
do the trick.