Evening star., 1954-05-06
Democratic Leaders
Turn Cold ShouIderfo
Condor, Roosevelt
By Gould Lincoln


mittee, through it's Executive
Committee. has turned a cold
shoulder to James Roosevelt,
son of the late President, and
Representative Condor, both
candidates for California seats
in the House in the 84th Con-
gress.
The effect is to support COM
pletely the stand taken by
Democratic National Chairman
Stephen A. Mitchell in the
California intra-party row. Mr.
Mitchell had said the national
organization would not give
financial or other support to
Mr.. Roosevelt or Representative
Condor, who are running in the
California primaries for Demo-
cratic nominations for Repre-
sentative.
The case of Mr.. Roosevelt and
Mr.. Condor came up briefly for
discussion at meeting of the
Democratic National Committee
today behind closed doors. The
Executive Committee late yes
terday had adopted a resolution
completely indorsing the stand
taken by Chairman Mitchell.
This remains the official action
Of the national organization.
Brought Up for Discussion.
The subject was brought up
for discussion today by Neil
Staebler, Michigan State chair
man, who suggested some of the
members might wish to discuss
it. Neither Paul Ziffren nor
Mrs. Clara Shirpser. the Cali
fornia members of the National
Committee, entered the discus
sion.
Chairman Mitchell was asked
whether his intervention in the
California Democratic primary,
through a letter which he had
written to Mr.. Ziffern opposing
Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Condor,
set precedent.
mo, it does not" Mr.. Mitchell
replied.
Democratic National Commit
teeman Sweetland of Oregon
told the committee that the
Young Democrats had adopted
a rule that officials of the Or
ganization should not intervene
in party-primary contests. He
asked if it would not be advisable
for the National Committee to
adopt a similar stand. He did
not press for action, however,
and the issue was left for future
discussion.
Members of the committee said
the pros and cons on the facts
of the California cases were not
discussed at today's meeting. Mr..
Mitchell's opposition to Mr..
Roosevelt as candidate grew
out of charges of adultery
brought against Mr.. Roosevelt by
his wife. His opposition to Rep
resentative Condor was based on
the fact that Mr.. Condor had not
been cleared to witness atomic
energy tests because of alleged
Communist associations,
Vote Resolution of Thanks.
At the conclusion of the meet
ing, the members unanimously
adopted a resolution of thanks
to Mr.. Mitchell "for his great and
untiring efforts in behalf of the
Democratic Party" 1t was Of
fered by Edgar A. Brown, nation
al committeeman from South
Carolina, who said:
II know of no chairman of the
Democratic National Committee
during my experience who has
worked under more trying and
difficult conditions, who has
rendered a greater service to his
party and to his country.
stephen A. Mitchell has led
the Democratic Party to perhaps
the highest point of political
morality in the history of polit-
ical parties in the United States.
Under his leadership we can
fully expect our party to resume
in the not too-distant future its
rightful place as trustee of our
national Government and its
peoples destiny"
Chairman Mitchell urged the
members again to exert every
effort in the coming congress
sional campaign.
Before the national committee
met the National Democratic
Advisory Committee was enter
tanned at breakfast where ways
and means of raising money for
the campaign were thoroughly
discussed. Former President
Truman was present at the
breakfast for a time.
Mrs. ShirpSer told reporters