Evening star., 1954-04-27
The Political Min
Democratic Meeting
Muy Druft Campaign
Fur May Fly Over MitcheII's
California Interference
By Gould Lincoln

5 and 6. topped off by a major fund
raising dinner to be attended by for
mer President Truman and Adlai Ste
yenSon. the party's 1852 presidential
candidate, is regarded. in some meas
ure, as a substitute for the mid-term
presidential term) Democratic Ma
tional Convention, proposed year ago
but abandoned after study.
The meeting here is expected to
bring together nearly all of the leading
lights of the Democratic Party. In
addition to the members of the Ma
tional Committee. Democratic State
chairmen, Democratic Governors. the
whole battery of congressional Demo-
Gratis will be on hand. So national will
be the gathering that it will take on
some semblance of a national conven-
ton. Also, plans are under considera-
ton for the adoption either of Demo-
cratic declaration of principles, or
series of resolutions on important is
sues, that will bring the party's ma
tional platform of 1852 up to date.
One of the main reasons advanced for
holding a mid-term national conven-
ton was to accomplish just that.
Everything points to busy time here
for the Democrats. The issues of the
coming congressional campaign are fast
rounding into shape, although the
economic condition Of the country,
which is likely to be the main issue,
must still wait on future developments.
The Democratic orators will have plenty
to say about the Eisenhower admin
istration, the Republican-controlled
Congress. and the Mccarthy Army row.
If an attempt is made, through the
formal adoption of a declaration of
principles or resolutions, to give the
party platform for the congressional
campaign the newest look, serious work
will be required. Since the Republicans
have determined to make President
Eisenhower and his popularity with the
people an issue in the campaign. the
Democrats may have to decide to what
extent they intend to attack the Presi-
dent. and how wise such an attack
would be.
Mitchell to Report.
Chairman Stephen A. Mitchell Of the
national committee will report to the
committee on the activities of the
national organization. and plans for
the campaign will be discussed. Mr..
Mitchell himself may come under fire
for the letter he wrote to Paul Ziffren,
California'S national committeeman.
saying that the national organization
would not support James Roosevelt,
eldest son of the late President Franklin
D. Roosevelt, and Representative Con-
don, Democrat, who are seeking nomi-
nations for the House in the June
primary elections. Mr.. Roosevelt has
been accused of adultery by his wife
in a maintenance suit. Mr. Condor was
denied clearance to witness atomic
energy tests on the ground he was a
security risk. The Mitchell letter caused
a flare-up of resentment on the part
of some Democrats in California and
New York, where Mr.. Roosevelts
younger brother, Representative Frank
lin D. Roosevelt, jr., is an unannounced
candidate for the Democratic guber-
material nomination. Either one of the
California committeemen-Mr Ziffren
or Mrs. Clara ShirpSer of Berkeley
could bring the matter before the COM
mittee for discussion, or any other COM
mittee member. Mr.. Mitchell's letter
was regarded as move by the national
chairman into party primary races.
probably without precedent. The late
President Roosevelt attempted a num-
ber of "purges" of Democratic members
of Congress who opposed him in party
primary elections-but had a minimum
of success. If the Mitchell letter should
be brought up, fur may fly. No one has
given notice he or she will call it up.
or that any move against Mr.. Mitchell
will be made. He plans to stay on as
chairman until after the congressional
o1ontinTc Should fho nannn0rofo uriy1
these elections, demands may arise for
him to hold on still longer as chairman.
He is a Stevenson man, however, and
other prospective candidates for the
Democratic presidential nomination OF
1856 might take a dim view of Mr..
Mitchell'S continuance in Office.
List of Speakers.
The dinner. under the auspices Of the
national committee, will be addressed
informally by Adlai Stevenson. by the
two Democratic leaders of Congress.
House Minority Leader Sam Rayburn
of Texas and Senate Minority Leader
Lyndon Johnson of Texas, by Gov. Dem
mis- Roberts of Rhode Island and by
RoSalin Wiener, 23-year-old member
of the Los Angeles City Council. Mr..
Stevensons recent operation will pre-
vent his making major speech. No
such Democratic dinner was given in
the National Capital last year, so soon
after the Eisenhower victory, and while
many Democrats were holdoverS in
governmental Office. Even now, Demo-
Gratis who still remain in Office and who
wish to attend the dinner may be pres
ent and listen to the lambaSting the
Eisenhower administration will receive
without being publicly listed as guests.
They will just sit at tables charged to
some other persons. A sellout of seats
for the dinner is expected, for many Of
the Democrats feel that the party will
stage comeback in the elections next
fall. Former President Truman is not
listed as a speaker-but he may have
something to say, nevertheless.
The mid-term national convention
was laid aside for three reasons. First.
because OF State laws governing ma
tional political conventions and selec-
ton of delegates; second. because the
expense would have been very great.
and third, because, without a contest
for presidential and vice presidential
nominations, it was feared public in
tereSt in such a convention would not
have been too great. However. the de-
cision against a mid-term national
convention cuts of a potential forum
for aspirants for the 1856 party nomi-
nations. They might have made hay at
such gathering.