POLITICAL NOTES: 1940

¶ In whatever Valhalla exists for U. S. politicos, many a shade must have called for stronger mead one day last week. For in Washington the Civil Service Commission released 25 pages of new rules under the Hatch Act, rigidly barring 939,876 Federal employes from any real political activity except voting. Classified workers (620,000) may not even express their preferences publicly; may not march in parades (blow horns, beat drums); may not write articles on politics; may not distribute literature or buttons; may not bet on elections; may attend conventions but not participate; may not allow their husbands or wives to "front" for them.

They may contribute funds (i.e., $100 for the Jackson Day dinner, Jan. 8), but may not solicit or receive money for political purposes.

¶ Fortnight ago, Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes watched with bright red face while Gridiron Club members portrayed him as Donald Duck, the frenzied squawker. Last week, "Honest Harold"* engaged General Hugh Johnson in debate in Newark, said: "We are both contesting for the post of Donald Duck of Public Affairs."

Said General Johnson of Mr. Roosevelt: "A third term . . . a fourth and a fifth term . . . a 15th term, and finally elect Jimmy Roosevelt and then start all over again."

¶ Volatile Senator Burton K. Wheeler, Montana Democrat, was advanced by stolid Senator Edwin Johnson, Colorado Democrat, as a "liberal candidate" who might make it unnecessary "for the President to run against his will in 1940."

¶ To Third Termites were added two Oklahomans—Senator Josh Lee and former Governor Martin Edwin Trapp; also Ambassador to Belgium Joseph E. Davies.

¶ Silver-headed Paul Vories McNutt last week reared up on his fine hind legs, revealed that his status as 1940'$ leading If man is causing him considerable pain. Addressing Indiana University footballers, Paul McNutt touched on stories that he is 1) a stalking horse for Mr. Roosevelt; 2) a club wherewith the President can cow Jim Farley, who would rather have almost anybody nominated but Mr. McNutt; 3) anathema to New Deal extremists like Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, who said last fortnight that Paul McNutt could never win liberal support. Roared genial Mr. McNutt: "You don't know whether the quarterback wants you to carry the ball or to run interference. Sometimes the whole team wants to call the signals. .. . My office [Federal Security Administrator] is only an epithet away from the Interior Department and a stone's throw from the Post Office Department."

¶ Appraising Western reaction to Tom Dewey's first G.O.P. campaign speech last fortnight (TIME, Dec. 18), Governor Harold E. Stassen of Minnesota dryly reported "rather a deep interest in what Mr. Dewey's policies will be." Aspirant Dewey in his second full-dress speech last week