The Pittsburgh Press (July 28, 1944)
Some payrollers sick of Roosevelt
Don’t like New Deal’s raw deal to Wallace
By Daniel M. Kidney, Scripps-Howard staff writer
Washington –
“For Roosevelt before Chicago,” a phrase which Jim Farley used in 1932 to test a Democrat’s loyalty to the incoming New Deal administration, has taken on new meaning here.
Many “idealistic” government employees, banned from politics by he Hatch Act and therefore not subject to quotation, were “for Roosevelt before Chicago” this year. But they find themselves wavering now.
“Before Chicago,” 1944, they never could have been convinced, they say, that President Roosevelt would scuttle Vice President Henry A. Wallace.
Wallace always loyal
One explained:
Why, he is the only loyal Vice President FDR ever had.
Jack Garner not only opposed the New Deal program, but actually was running against the President in 1940. Henry Wallace never has done anything but try to be a New Dealer and espouse the things which made this administration progressive.
His great personal loyalty was expressed in that Chicago convention speech in which he said: “Roosevelt is a greater liberal today than he ever has been. His soul is pure.”
Yet 24 hours later, Wallace was having his political throat cut. And the evidence indicates that President Roosevelt was in on the kill. Hus lukewarm letter endorsing Wallace, followed by the one to National Democratic Chairman Robert E. Hannegan saying that Senator Harry S. Truman would strengthen the ticket, are proof.
Wallace men made ill
Since the President chose the type of politics played by the Hannegans, Hagues, Kellys and Flynns, maybe they can put him over for a fourth term. Men of the Wallace type cannot be expected to help much.
They are sick at the stomach over the Chicago performance, and wonder whether their one-time hero would rather be President than be right.