Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-06-29
The Political Mill
New York Democrats
Will Attack Dewey
Whether or Not He Runs,
His Record Is the Issue
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
New York's Democratic leaders have
decided apparently that, whether Gov.
Thomas E. Dewey runs for reelection
or not, he and his IL years of admin
istration must be their principal point
of attack in the coming congressional
and gubernatorial election campaign.
New York Republican leaders, for
their part. will by no means back away
either from Gov. Dewey or his admin
iStration. They claim that Mr.. Dewey
is one of the ableSt Governors the State
has ever had; that the State has made
enormous progress under his admin
iStration. So far as they are concerned,
Dewey as an issue is all right with
them.
The Democrats from New York have
just put on preview Of their campaign,
meeting here with Democratic National
Chairman Stephen A. Mitchell and the
Democratic congressional delegation
from the Empire State, including
Senator Lehman. Among those who
journeyed down here were Democratic
State Chairman Richard H. Balch,
Democratic National Committeeman
Carmine G. De Sapio, w. Averell
Hartman, former ambassador and the
States favorite-son candidate for the
1852 Democratic presidential nominal
ton, and Thomas H. Finletter. Repre-
sentative Charles A. Buckley, leader Of
the Bronx, was at the meeting, too.
Decision in September.
Those on the inside in Democratic
politics in New York say that the
leaders of the four big boroughS of
greater New York City are likely to de-
eide whom the Democrats will nomi.
nate for Governor at their State conven-
ton the latter part of September. Mr..
De Sapio, who in addition to being ma
tlonal committeeman is the party leader
in Manhattan and Tammany leader,
will have a good deal to say on this
subject At present he is contenting
himself with saying that the potential
candidates have free hands and are
being looked over by the party. Repre-
sentative Franklin D. Roosevelt, jr., w.
Averell Hartman and Mayor Robert F..
Wagner Of New York are regarded as
the three main possibilities.
Up to date, Mr. Roosevelt has been
doing all the running and has the
promise OF 234 upstate delegates. It
takes $40 delegates votes to nominate.
Mr.. De Sapio and others admit there is
some opposition to the Roosevelt nomi-
nation, and they are giving that oppose
ton chance to have it's say in party
councils. At present, however. the odds
are favoring Mr.. Roosevelt. He is an
avowed candidate. Mr.. Hartman is a
willing candidate. Mayor Wagner is
saying nothing. He has a big job to
which he was elected only last Novem-
Der. His ultimate aim, it is said, is to
go to the Senate, following in the foot
steps of his father. The question in his
mind may be: Is the mayoralty a safe
stepping stone to the Senate, or should
he make himself more certain by win
ming election as Governor?
Now or Never.
For Mr.. Roosevelt there is a great
deal tied up in this race for Governor.
If he can win he may win a second
time in 1956-or he might even be a
presidential candidate in that year, or
certainly in 1860. 1t also looks as
though it is now or neVer-if he is to
cash in on the great popularity of his
father. 1t will soon be 10 years since
the death of President Roosevelt
State Chairman Balch really epto-
mixed the Democratic campaign against
Gov. Dewey and the Dewey adminiS-
tration-and Mr.. Roosevelt added the
details-at the gathering here. Boss"
Dewey is the title given the Governor
by these DemocratS-boSS not only Of
the Republican Party and government
in New York. but also the whole Gov
eminent of the United States and the
Eisenhower administration. The Demo-
Gratis are out to pin on the Governor
not only the harneSs-track scandals
and unemployment in New York, but
also what they call the failures of the
Eisenhower administration. They claim
that Gov. Dewey, through his many
friends in high-level office-among
them Secretary of State Dulles and
Attorney General Herbert Brownell, jr.
really dictates to the Eisenhower adj
miniStration both foreign and domestic
policy. Mr.. Roosevelt pointed up the
Democratic issues of unemployment, of
tax reductions for the rich, of give
away" policies for the Nations natural
resources and bungled foreign policy.
The Democratic speakers at the gath
ering here demanded a united Demo-
cratic Party as necessary for victory.
A great deal depends upon whether
the leaders can successfully get to-
gether in picking a gubernatorial can
didate A wide-open fight could mean
party disaster again. The Roosevelt
New Dealers appear to be in the saddle.