Modern David Harums –
Stokes: South will support Roosevelt again, but in return it will demand much
Will seek conservative Vice President and domestic policy at national convention
By Thomas L. Stokes, Scripps-Howard staff writer
Washington –
President Roosevelt gave Southern governors his most charming smile, a pleasant half-hour at the White House over tea and cakes and sandwiches, and the encouraging word that he was in favor of lowering discriminatory freight rates, which is the subject that brought them here for a one-day protest meeting.
But he said not a word about the fourth term. Nor did he talk about the numerous grievances, economic and political – aside from freight rates – which Southern governors have been discussing for months, and which they discussed with members of Congress from the South at a dinner last night full of oratory about freight-rate discrimination and other subjects.
The President preferred to keep the conversation to such subjects as their children and wildlife, including the ivory-billed woodpecker.
Commitment good omen
But the freight-rate commitment was something, and governors took it as a good omen for the case now pending before the Interstate Commerce Commission, of which the President is fully advised.
Disturbed as they are over some administration tendencies, the governors are not going to chance political revolt. They will acquiesce in a fourth term if Mr. Roosevelt chooses to seek it. They are confident, too, that the South will remain Democratic in November.
The Southern governors are traders, not bolters, no matter what they hint.
Are seeking concessions
They came here to raise a din, in the shadow of the White House, in the interest of getting concessions from Mr. Roosevelt, and it is very likely they will get some of what they want.
Their other grievances include:
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Lack of recognition of the Southern viewpoint in national politics.
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Encroachment on state and local affairs.
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Federal regimentation of business and industry.
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Neglect of the South in war contracts.
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Discrimination in patronage by appointment of Republicans to key Southern posts in war agencies.
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Agitation of the Negro problem by New Deal agents and agencies.
At the national convention, they will seek:
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The selection of a conservative, preferably a Southerner, as vice presidential candidate if the President is nominated.
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Representation in the platform of the Southern desire for more conservative administration of domestic policy.
Seek common front
The strategy will be to get Southern delegations, as far as possible, to join in a common front at the convention to achieve these objectives and to seek allies in other delegations. It is obvious, however, from conversations with governors here, that the South does not have a common front now, and cannot have a common front at the convention, for really holding out against renomination of the President until they get all they want.
Georgia Governor Ellis G. Arnall, a leader in the Southern protest movement, will handpick a delegation from his state which will be uninstructed and should be in a good bargaining position. There is some talk that Senator George (D-GA) might be put in nomination for trading purposes.
But other Southern delegations will not be so independent.
Wallace explains South’s problem
Washington (UP) –
Vice President Henry A. Wallace asserted last night that the South had failed to build a balanced regional economy because vested interests have sought to protect uneconomic profits through control of finance production, markets and monopolistic transportation.
In an address before a banquet attended by eight Southern governors who met here to urge removal of allegedly discriminatory rail freight rates, he said the South’s problem must be solved on a national rather than on a regional basis.