Evening star., 1954-04-29
The Political Min
The Political Mil
Dewey Standing Firm
On Decision Not to Run
Wagner or Roosevelt Moy
Seek Top Post in New York
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York
is sticking to his decision made last
year not to be candidate for re-elec-
ton. Pleas that he run again have
come to him from many Republican
sources. but he has not been persuaded,
to date. Should this country become
involved in war, as it became in
volved in the Korean war in 1850, Coy.
Dewey might reverse his stand and run
again, just as he did four years ago.
That appears the sole contingency
which would change his mind now.
The New York Governor, who has
. been in Washington this week for the
conference Of Governors with Presi-
dent Eisenhower and 'his chief aides.
has recently put the final touches-his
approval or diSapproval-on legisla-
ton enacted at most successful, from
Dewey's point of view. session of the
Legislature. When and if he goes out
OF office. Gov. Dewey will leave record
OF major accomplishment. His firm
handling of the harness track scandals
has minimized them as an issue in the
coming campaign.
He demanded and finally obtained
the resignation of State Senator Wicks
from the Republican leadership of the
Senate, which automatically carried
with it the job of acting Lieutenant
Governor .(becauSe 1t. Gov. Moore
had resigned). Mr.. Wicks had been a
visitor of "Joey'' Fay, labor racketeer
and extortionist, while Fay was in Sing
Sing prison. and Fay's name entered
the track scandals.
Cleaned Up Scandals.
Gov. Dewey also appointed a strong
commission under the Moreland Act to
get at the facts in track scandals and
to help clean up the situation. He also
made other appointments and the
track situation is being successfully
handled. While the Democrats will at
tempt to make the scandals an issue in
the campaign, Gov. Dewey's course has
largely nullified the effect.
It's no secret that Republican lead
ers will continue their efforts to get
Gov. Dewey to seek denomination,
which he could have at the drop Of
hat. They point out that he an
nounced four years ago he would not
finally did. The Governor has said
he would announce his plans this
spring. He may do so some time in
May.
When he says he will not be can
didate-as it is now expected he will
decline to run-New York Republic
cans are likely to turn to Senator
Ives for their gubernatorial nominee.
Senator Ives would be a strong can
didate, they say, and capable of de-
feating any candidate. including Rep
resentative Franklin D. Roosevelt, jr.,
whom the Democrats may put up.
Senator Ives has consistently said
he believed that Gov. Dewey should
be renominated and indicated he
wished to remain in the Senate. With
Gov. Dewey out of the picture for
denomination Senator Ives would have
to reassess the situation and his own
position. There are other potential
Republican nominees for Governor, but
none who stand out so prominently
as the Senator, in the event Gov.
Dewey is out.
IL Years as Governor.
Gov. Dewey will have served II
years as Governor of New York at
the end Of his present term. He will
have been Governor longer than any
other chief executive of the State,
except its first Governor. George Clin-
ton. who had 20 years. Under his
leadership, the Republican Party took
over complete control. winding up with
a smashing victory there for President
Eisenhower in 1862 and the election
OF ~ Republican members of Con-
gress to Is for the Democrats.
Gov. Dewey wishes to return to the
practice of law, after years of public
service as prosecutor, district attorney
and Governor. An alternative might
be an important post in the Eisenhower
administration, should the President
call upon him.
The Democrats in New York are
Juggling their potential gubernatorial
nominees. Mr.. Roosevelt still looks
to be the most likely choice-although
some OF the Democrats there feel the
troubles of his older brother, James
Roosevelt in California have lessened
his availability.
Since the publication Of the adultery
charges against James there has been
more talk of nominating Mayor Wag-
ner or former Ambassador w. Averell
Hartman. Mr.. Wagner was nomi-
mated and elected Mayor with the aid
OF Mr.. Roosevelt last year.
If Mr.. Roosevelt still wants the NOM
1nation for Governor-and presumably
he does-Mr. Wagner is not likely to
go after the nomination himself. Fur
ther. Mr.. Wagner has just started on
his four-year term as Mayor. 1t has
been suggested. too. that Mr.. Wagner
may wish to run for the Senate in
1856, if Senator Lehman. Democrat.
who will be 78 in that year, does not
run again. Mayor Wagner's father
served in the Senate for many years.
main supporter of the New Deal.