TAMMANY-FDR JR. ELECTION BOUT WATCHED BY NEW YORK AND NATION
JAMES, DANIEL
Tammany—FDR Jr. Election Bout Watched by NewYorkand Nation Liberals, independents Unite To Challenge Rogers Machine By Daniel James FROM HELL'S KITCHEN TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY the voters of...
...man's Civil Rights Committee and is now chairman of a similar committee under Mayor O'Dwyer...
...This is the picture: 1. Last year Mayor O'Dwyer cut off Tammany from city patronage...
...Most concede, though, that if Roosevelt draws a record crowd to the polls, he* stands a good chance of election...
...Tha alliance behind young FDR is not unlike that which supported his father...
...Bunche was formerly a professor at Harvard University in Washington, D. C„ one of the.leading Negro institutions of higher learning in the nation...
...Johnson's yeoman service as Assistant Secretary of ;War*from 1937 to 1940, when he—as much as any other man—was responsible (of America's industrial mobilization for defense...
...Fox IheUbit lima CIO and AFL unions —Including, the traditionally antagonistic Amalgamated Cloihipjf Workers and Irdernational Ladies...
...WHY DID TAMMANY PERMIT this situation to develop...
...Forrestal's post, the conservative*, pundits were quick to point out that Mr...
...Underlying Rogers' candid admission is the cold fact that Tammany is fighting for survival...
...neighboring 21st District last November — will greatly enhance Liberal chances of displacing the ALP as the balance of power in city and state...
...AN EDITORIAL— Cheers for Mr...
...Nor will the city administration- escape these enmeshing processes, for O'Dwyer himself must campaign for re-election in November,, and sooner • or later will have to choose between Tammany and the liberals...
...to the south are Chelsea Park, Hell's Kitchen, • and blocks of freight yards and warehouses...
...His father hSs pcllctl heavy pluralities in the 20th District since 1933...
...Although for weeks Tammany rocked with controversy—and it was clear that powerful West Side leader Robert B. Blaikie would split in favor of Roosevelt—FDR Jr.'s defeat for the nomination was a foregone conclusion...
...At the same timet these voters—who represent, a population as large as a good-sized city: 250,000 — may also radically alter the political configuration of New York City, and seriously affect the course of state and national affairs...
...THE FOUR CANDIDATES will have their work cut out for them...
...The machinery is headed by experienced Veterans like Alex Rose and Murray Baron of the Liberal Party...
...All these were met with Itony silence and relative inaction...
...CENTER OF THE RISING DRAMA is 35-year-old Franklin D. Roosevelt, lr., third son of the late President whose initial bid for political office has provoked the four-way contest...
...Privately, his supporters say that half the 1948 turnout will do it...
...Johnson had served Is the-Democrats' chief election fund-raiser...
...There are, still other factions...
...Johnson's chief, President Truman, is to be congratulated on a fine appointment...
...Now, in less than a month, Mr...
...young man, that if Sol Bloom lived, ha wouldn't be renominated, becauie I'm not interested In statesmen, I'm interested in politicians...
...In the race are four candidates from five political parties...
...According to the Daily Worker (April 17), ALP...
...The ALP is not campaigning, with any prospect of victory, and the Republicans can win in (he normally' Democratic 20th District only by a miracle...
...What effect this may have on national politics can best be judged by recalling that ALP -support of Wallace, threw New_ York State to Dewey in 1948...
...He is 44 years old...
...Most observers agree that young Roosevelt's glamor, his fight against Tammany, and the liberal-labor support h'e has won, have combined to galvanize young West Siders who think generally in liberal terms...
...CIO and AFL members, businessmen, students, professional politicians, reformers, pbilan...
...Those liberals, disillusioned by the 81st Congress, have been given a strong shot in the arm, at least for the meantime...
...Communist totalitarianism, and Republican reaction as'a "wickqd triaufnvirate," Ftnnklin D. Roosevelt Jr., has managed to attract to himself a formidable left-of-center alliance., . Leading this coalition, and standing to benefit most from it direetly, 'is the Liberal Party...
...As a result, politics is...
...and the grandson of a former slave.' His appointment marks one of the highest Government positions ever attained by a Negro.' As a professor and research worker, Dr...
...The labor end of the pro-Roo^t alliance has its own surprising twists...
...costly apartmenthotels...
...candidate Annette Rubinstein's chief contribution to the cam...
...FOR SHEER ENTHUSIASM and energy, so far, the Roosevelt band sounds loudest...
...It is also highly communityconscious, and probably nowhere'else •in New York are there as ^many organizations of all sorts as can be found here...
...RALPH BUNCHE...
...But Tammany, fractionallzed by Internal warfare, and facing a potent liberal-labor coalition behind Roosevelt, can now lose the...
...3. Roger* himself comes up for reelection as Manhattan Borough President this November...
...Truman gives Tammany a wide berth...
...k i „'','¦ .tffE DISSIDENT DEMOCRATS in the coalition — Blaikie and Sampson Democrats, Fair Dealer's, the new Four Freedoms Party, and others—likewise stand to gain much from a Roosevelt victory,' Post-May 17 plans call for contesting Rogers in the September party primaries...
...scattered everywhere are...
...i i| Young Roosevelt, although the Lib* eral Party's, designee, declares that he is a "big T>' Democrat," and is cam* paigning on a "New Deal-Fair Deal'' platform...
...hb was vice-chairman of Tru...
...Of this, they 'reckon 25,000 votes» far Roosevelt (including 10,000 Liberal Party votes), and 35,000 divided among the other three...
...election...
...MOre important, n Roosevelt-Liberal victory—following the decisive Liberal contribution to Republican Jacob K. Javlts' re-election in the...
...When Louis...
...More revealing, the Communist daily lauds Tammany for "resisting the /Liberal Party's attempts to dictate its candi...
...i Nominally a four-way affair, the real contest is between Roosevelt and Tammany...
...paignvwill be to "fight against the North Atlantic Pact," and she will.be made the center of a "peace drive...
...Should Rogers nevertheless become the Borough Presidential candidate, it is not unlikely that' a rival Democrat may be selected, and the 20th Congressional battle re-enacted on a borough-wide basis...
...At stake are the destinies of many men and movements...
...But there is this radical difference: the new front is operating as an Independent force outside the Demo* cratic Party...
...They were equally quick to avoid mentioning Mr...
...It is an area of economic extremes: the slums of Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues are sandwiched in between plushy Central Park West and the West End Avenue-Riverside Drive section...
...2. Tammany is riddled with factionalism...
...Such erstwhile pro-Communtsjs as Michae> Quill and Jdseph Curran are contributing both manpower algid funds to young Roosevelt...
...The varied Roosevelt forjees operate with comparatively little frictiom Understandings halve been reached which permit the ¦ pooling of technical, organization and financial resources, but, simultaneously enable each group to pursue ah independent course within the Overall framework...
...But Roosevelt's plans collided headon with those of Tammany Uall, which in Manhattan is the Democratic Party...
...H/s .Democratic opponent, Shalleck, says he also supports' the Truman program...
...Thus the Tammany trail leads from Manhattan's Borough Presidency through shadowy underworld bypaths to the doorihep of the Communist Party...
...e DENOUNCING TAMMANY CORRUPTION...
...Many have flocked into the district from other parts of the city...
...Encouraged by leaders of the New York State Liberal Party—who promised him their endorsement—and by pledges from independent Democrats and unaffiliated liberals, young Roosevelt launched in mid-March a campaign to secure the Democratic nomination for the jeatMSol Bloom had held for nearly thirty years...
...in combat are forces said to represent everything from liberalism tV gangsterism...
...The Frank Sampson bloc' from which Rogers originally wrested power, T&if been constantly at War with him.* Since November, a group of younger "Fair Deal" Democrats has arisen t6 plague Rogers...
...But immediately after Shalleck's nomination, State Democratic Chairman Paul Fttzpatrick forbade "any alliances" with the ALP, which puts Rogers in an unenviable position between Fitzpatrick and Marcantonio...
...Few seasoned observers are willing to predict the outcome of this campaign...
...As an indication of the new trend, a liberal postcard poll reveals that, of those ALP voters who .responded, 65 percent favored Roosevelt...
...Both to strengthen his hand internally and to guarantee enough" non-Democratic votes to reelect him, Rogers is said to have made a deal.!With Communist party-liner Vito Marcantonio in 1943, "by which Rogers agreed to doublecross his candidate for Congress, John Morrissey, to insure Marcantonio's Own re-election...
...It is said that no less than fifty men sought the 20th District nomination, and that sums up tb $50,000 were offered for it...
...Thus it is not inconceivable that, after a decade during „ which the Communists occupied a strategic position in a pivotal state, their hold oh New York polities' may be • milch 'weakened as a result of this campaign...
...This is expected In a few weeks...
...Bunche devoted years to the study of the problems of backward areas of the world...
...Johnson was appointed to Mr...
...Locked...
...Robert K. Straus, Charles Horowitz and, Robert Blaikie among the Democrats, and independents from Americans for Democratic Actiom A common board of strategy meets regularly to plan high policy, and a common GHQ centralizes all activity...
...The issues involved range from good government to self-aggrandizement...
...aid the judgeship ho will then v.acato wul provide a rewarding plum for another Tammany faithful...
...At the very least, ShaUack's nomination means that a regular, if elected, will control a Congressional seat lor Tammany...
...New York has been slow to join the liberal upswing which gripped the nation last November, But once in motion there is no telling what great events the Empire State may finally inspire...
...tb.e * anti-Rogers groups have rallied around Roosevelt—who accuses CostellQ of dictating Tammany's refusal to nominate him—and thus the election campaign is also a phase of the internal struggle for Tammany...
...old mansions become rooming houses for transients,1 and tall...
...With nothing but "nominations as its stockin-trade, Tammany has been in serious financial straits...
...These elements charge that Rogers is a stooge for underworld figures like Frank Costello, and politicians like former" General Sessions Jmfge Francis X. Mancuso nnd Elections^ (Commissioner darmine G. De Sapio...
...Johnson has won the respect of those Americans who place a democratic and efficient defense establishment above "tradition" and selfish partisanship...
...State Vice-Chairman Alex Rose, New, York County Chair-1 man Murray Baron, and ILGWU President David Dubinsky are generally credited with chief responsibility for ' the Roosevelt candidacy...
...Due to circumstances not entirely of their design, Roosevelt, if elected, will become the Liberal Party's first Congressman...
...Johnson has (1) silenced the military habitues of the committee rooms, (2) ordered an end to discrimination in the service, and (3) made a big step toward realistic utilization of our military potential by stopping the construction of the beautiful but vulnerable $300,000,000 carrier "United States...
...Johnson 7 HEN JAMES FORHESTAL was Secretary of Defense, there were IwV repeated pleas for abolition of segregation in |hearrned services, continuing disgust at trie undignified hair-pulling performances given by high brass and braid at Congressional hearings...
...In this special election Republican voters will turn out in proportionately fewer numbers because: their candidate is not a major factor, Against the ALP and the Repub-, licans, Tammany's .candidate would have won hands down...
...In 1948 they polled 34,819 votes against 63,764 on the Democratic line, and 10,102 on the Liberal line, for Sol Bloom...
...taken seriously by West Siders—even when" there are no elections, busy Broadway corners are frequently dotted with political meetings...
...Bundle to Be Assistant Secretary Bv JONATHAN STOUT DR...
...The nomination will be presented to the Senate as soon as the Administration bill authorising the appointment of additional assistant secretaries has been approved...
...he Is a.founder and leader of Americans for Democratic Action, and he has fought down the line for the whole Democratic program...
...Daniel James, managing editor of The New Under, resides in the 20th Congressional District, and is an active worker in the West Side community...
...UnUed Nations mediator, who has played a major role in bringing peace to Palestine, has been selected for appointment as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and African Affairs...
...Robert Blaikie, a- Sampson-Roosevelt Democrat, has openly charged that "Ma'ncuso had his district captains knife Morrissey"—it was in MancusoX district that.Marcah« tonio rolled up enough ALP Votes to beat Morrissey...
...Since then, the Communist-dominated American Labor Party has nominated' private school teacher Annette T. Rubinstein, and the Republicans insurance executive William H. Mclntyre...
...Election Bout Watched by NewYorkand Nation Liberals, independents Unite To Challenge Rogers Machine By Daniel James FROM HELL'S KITCHEN TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY the voters of Manhattan's Twentieth Congressional District will, on May 17, choose a successor to Democratic Representative Sol Bloom, whose recent death has precipitated an electoral battle which is already producing: widespread repercussions...
...Whatever happens, the fight will be colorful'and dramatic...
...The 20th District is roughly 55 percent Jewish, 25 percent Irish Catholic, and spotted with Italian, Negro, Puerto Rican, and European emigre groupings...
...In return, Marcantonio is reported to have.promised Rogers American Labor Party support ttys year...
...White it is still too early to speculate about its future (much can happen to divide it), its creation—plus the resurgence of independent liberaltorn In- states like Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and Connecticut — can conceivably mark the beginning of a Hf> lional political re-awakening...
...date...
...By these courageous steps, Mr...
...Garment . WorkriSrrWe working together M elect, then mutual candidate...
...In his own right he has these qualifications: he is young, popular, and a combat, veteran...
...For,, as Tammany leader Hugo E. Rogers confidentially informed Roosevelt when the latter vowed to following in Sol Bloom's path: 1 want to fall you...
...The state is Republican-controlled...
...Roosevelt, on the surface, would seem to be an ideal Democratic candidate...
...But Tammany apparently did not desire such qualifications...
...On April»11, Tammany leaders picked Municipal Court Justice Benjamin Shalleck, and Roosevelt promptly became a rival candidate on the.lines of'the' •LiberaV Party "andIfefffiljrtWwiffi'independent Four Freedoms Party...
...thropists, racketeers, an ex-Ambassadorson, a farmer Cabinet member, local'Mltftifii^^ York • Governor, and at least.two prominent United States Senators—as well as hundreds with no special claim to fame —are or will soon become joined in a struggle which, for bitterness and drama, may rival the 1048 special election in the Bronx's 24th District—a race which sent to Congress Communistbacked Leo Isaacson...
Vol. 32 • April 1949 • No. 18
