Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-06
The Political Mill
The Political Mill
Republicans Have Eye
On z California Seats
Roosevelt and Condor
Muy Fuce Uphill Bottles
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
The frontal attack made on the
candidates. of James Roosevelt and
Representative Condor for Demo-
cratic nominations for Congress in the
26th and 9th California districts,
respectively, by Democratic National
Chairman Stephen A. Mitchell has
encouraged the Republicans to believe
they may pick up one of these districts
at least in the November elections. The
9Th district was carried by Representa-
tive Condor with lead of 2.012 votes
over his Republican opponent, John
Baldwin, in 1852. It is there the Re-
publicanS hope to win, if Mr.. Condor
stays in the race. The 26th district.
however, is strongly Democratic. Repre-
sentative Yorty. now candidate for
the Democratic senatorial nomination,
won both the Republican and Demo-
cratic nominations in that district two
years ago, and Adlai Stevenson carried
the district in the general election over
President Eisenhower by $4,000 votes.
Whether James Roosevelt is the Demo-
cratic nominee or not, it appears en-
tirely improbable the Republicans could
win there.
Chairman Mitchell's unusual, if not
unprecedented, entry into the Demo-
cratic primary controversies in Cali
fornia has created something OF Juror
in party circles. He has declared that
it would be in the best interests OF the
Democratic Party if both Mr.. RooSe-
welt and Mr.. Condor should withdraw.
Mr.. Mitchell's contention is that neither
Mr.. Roosevelt nor Mr.. Condor should
seek personal vindication, in the Demo-
cratic primaries and the general cleo
ton, against charges brought against
them. Mr.. Roosevelt is facing a suit
for separation, brought by his wife, in
which he is charged with adultery
charge which he has denied. Mr..
Condor was denied the privilege of
attending atomic energy tests by the
Atomic Energy Commission as a secur-
ity risk. He has vehemently denied the
charge of being a security risk, but
so far has not obtained clearance from
the Atomic Energy Commission.
Felt in New York.
The controversy over the political
aspirations of James Roosevelt, the
eldest son of the late President Frank
lin D. Roosevelt, had already made
itself felt in New York, where another
son of the late President, Representa-
tive Franklin D. Roosevelt, jr., has
been regarded as the leading candidate
for the Democratic gubernatorial nomi-
nation. Chairman Mitchell'S present
attack on the candidacy of James
Roosevelt is being seized upon as
another weapon in the hands of the
conservative Democrats of New York.
who do not wish Franklin, jr., nomi-
mated for Governor. However, it is be-
lieved that Representative Roosevelt
still remains the probable Democratic
nominee for Governor of the Empire
State. What effect, if any, it may have
in the general election next November,
is matter of speculation. Supporters
of Representative Roosevelt say that
II he was a strong candidate before
the scandal broke over James Roose-
Velt'S marital difficulties, he still is a
strong candidate. James RooSevelt's
troubles, they say, in no way reflect
upon Representative Roosevelt.
Out in CALIFORNIA; 26th district,
James Roosevelt won the Endorsement
the charges of adultery against him
had been made public. One of his OPP
ponentS, Ned Redding, a newspaper
publisher, has filed against Mr.. Roose-
welt in the primaries for the Democratic
nomination. Under the croSs-filing per-
mitted by California election laws,
Democrats and Republicans file for
both party nominations. Two Repub-
licans have filed in the district, Theo-
dore r. Owings, city clerk of Culver,
and Richard WeStbrook. The deadline
for filing in the primaries was last
Sunday. There seems no way to get
Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Condor out of
the races--unlesS they are persuaded to
withdraw, as suggested by Chairman
Mitchell. Also, there appears no way
to get any more Democrats into those
races at this date. The primaries take
place June 8.
Baldwin in Race.
The Republicans have as their candi-
date-already flled-against Mr.. Con-
don, Mr.. Baldwin, who lost toeMr. Con-
don two years ago in close race. Adlai
Stevenson carried the Condor district
against Eisenhower by 5000 votes,
showing Mr.. Condor running about
5000 votes behind the democratic
national ticket.
Paul Ziffren, Democratic national
committeeman for California, to whom
Chairman Mitchell wrote his letter say
ing that the party could not support
either James Roosevelt or Mr.. Condor,
has said he would call the Democratic
State Central Committee together to
consider the situation. 1t is evident
that Mr.. Mitchell has reached con-
cluSion that Democratic chances in
California this year will be materially
harmed if the Democrats have on their
ticket Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Condor.
California elects a Governor, a Sena-
tor and all 80 members of it's House
delegation in November 1t is also pos
sibles that an elimination of James,
Roosevelt from the fall elections would
lessen, if not end, anti-Roosevelt