Evening star., 1952-04-24
The Political Mill
ne PoIItIc0I Mil
Hartman Move Called
Sufe One for Democrats
Next Four Years Will Be Touch
For Any Purty or President
By Gould Lincoln

w. Averell Hartman has now been
launched as New YorkS full-fledged
candidate for the Democratic presi-
dental nomination. Senator Lehman,
who is too old to run for President, and
Representative Franklin D. Roosevelt, jr.,
who is considered by some too young.
have undertaken to lead the campaign
for Mr.. Hartman. How smart the New
York Democratic leaders are in making
this move remains to be seen. They
haven't shown much intelligence since
the death of the late President Franklin
D. Roosevelt in 1945 Indeed, very little
since Gov Thomas E. Dewey's election
in 1912. Gov. Dewey twice has been re-
elected.
When the Harriman-fo -for-President
proposal was first put forward it was re-
garded as holding operation-to keep
New York's "a delegate votes in the
party's national convention from run
ming off at odd angles, especially to-
ward Senator Kefauver of Tennessee.
whom the professionals do not like. But
now it appears that Mr.. Hartman is to
have at least a warming up gallop,
largely with administration backing.
Unknown to Mass Of Voters.
To the great mass Of voters, Mr.. Har-
riman is practically an unknown--de-
spite the many important Offices he has
held during 10 years in the Roosevelt
and Truman administrations. If he is
to become the serious contender for
the nomination-and for the election
he must undergo a great build-up op-
Grafton. AS a speaker, Mr.. Hartman
&c hofh nd vNotrinfio hut hA
is no ball Of fire. He Is going to need
help.
If Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower be-
comes the Republican presidential NOM
inee and lives up to specifications SO
far as personal appeal and ability as a
campaigner are concerned, the Demo-
cratic nomination is going to be worth
just about as much as it was back in
1904, when Judge Alton B. Parker Of
New York was nominated to run against
President Theodore Roosevelt. Certainly
he will not be defeated by a Hartman.
Senator Kefauver has insisted that Gen.
Eisenhower can be defeated-and that
he. Kefauver. can dQ it. although that
seems doubtful.
It seems reasonable that the Demo-
cratic leaders would like to have Mr..
Hartman take over, as titular leader Of
the party, if they are to be out of con-
troll of the Federal Government during
the next four years. The party affairs
would be in safe hands. Further, the
next four years may be tough years for
any President and any party. Imitation
and depression clouds hang heavy.
Events might make 1t exceedingly diff
nl1lt foY. fho n n . f0 mi, fY, 1O6R
G. o. p. Decision Waited.
On the other hand. should Senator
Taft of Ohio finally land'the Republican
nomination. Democratic hopes would
soar. The demand for denomination of
President Truman or the nomination
of Gov. Adlai Stevenson of Illinois would
be immediate and loud. There would be,
in all probability. a side-tracking of
Mr.. Hartman. In the meantime and
until the Republicans decide on their
candidate, the Hartman operation
seems safe one.
Indeed, and unless the Democrats
should turn to that hero of many cam
paigns. Vice President Barkley, 1t ap-
pears that the New Yorker should ad-
mirably I'LL the bill required of him.
He will be rallying post for those
Democrats who wish to look and listen
before they take final action. As of
today, the situation for the Democrats
Is little short of chaotic. The Northern
Democrats are unwilling to 60 along
with Senator Russell of Georgia-an
admirable candidate, but impossible in
their eyes on account Of civil rights
The Southerners either are hostile or
not sure about Senator Kefauver. The
fourth announced candidate, Senator
Kerr of Oklahoma, has made mighty
little progress so far.