The New York Times (March 26, 1944)
Support of fourth term is growing despite anti-New Deal feeling
By James E. Crown
New Orleans, Louisiana – (March 25)
Theodore “The Man” Bilbo (D-MS) pointed probably to the most authoritative political trend of the Deep South when, in addressing the joint session of the Mississippi Legislature, he urged the renomination of President Roosevelt for a fourth term.
For some months now, especially in Louisiana and Mississippi, there has been considerable agitation against renaming the President and against the New Deal. The Deep South is still against the New Deal, but opposition to the nomination of Mr. Roosevelt is waning. The tendency in the South now is to select, if possible, a conservative candidate to run as Vice President. In some quarters it is hoped that this man will come from the South. The names of Senator George (D-GA), Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, and in some quarters, Governor of Louisiana Sam Jones, are being mentioned.
Not only the Deep South, but the entire Mississippi Valley is now trying to form a movement to have transportation facilities of the Mississippi River improved. Advocates of greater use of water transportation are organizing all up and down the great artery.
Last year, according to figures made public this week, more than 9,000,000 tons of freight were floated up and down ole man river.
The transportation problem is one that is being wisely studied in the South. It is believed that river transportation will do much toward development of the states bordering the Mississippi.