Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 36, DeMotte, Jasper County, 5 August 1949 — Gates, Jenner Reported. To Be Friends Again [ARTICLE]

Gates, Jenner Reported. To Be Friends Again

Former Governor Backs Senator On Demand For Aggressive Campaign Indianapolis, Aug. 2. Hoosier politicians are wondering if former Governor Ralph F. Gates and U. S. Senator William E. Jenner have amicably settled their political differences. Reason for. the conjecture is Gates’ statement issued today in Washington, D. C., commending the junior senator on his foi'thright demand that the Republican national committee adopt an aggressive program for the 1950 campaign. Gates, national committeeman, is in the capital for Thursday’s meeting of the national committee. At that time Rep. Hugh p. Scott, Jr., will submit his resignation as chairman. Rugged Foes The former governor and Senator Jenner have been arch political enemies since before the 1948 state convention. Jenner lost the governorship nomination race there in a measure due to Gates’ opposition. In the bitter pre-convention campaign, Senator Jenner assailed the Gates said administration in speeches. Gates did not make any pubilc statements on Jenner’s gubernatorial candidacy, but worked diligently behind the scenes to beat him. When Gates aspired to Scott’s post at the national committee meeting in Omaha last winter, both Jenner and U. S. Senator Homer E. Capehart joined in a statement describing Gates as “a party wrecker.” Gates and Jenner had a conference in Washington over the last week-end. Follow Decree It is likely they threshed out some of their pa'st differences. Republican politicians here have been saying privately for months that the scrapping among top party leaders must end for the sake of victory in 1950. Jenner is firmly in control of the state party organization. Gates was re-elected national committeeman for a four-year term by the state committee after the 1948 state convention. In his statement today, the former governor said: “I do not want loyal opposition to the fair deal. I want opposition period.’’ He added that he would offer Jenner’s program to the national committee and “insist on speedy action” as soon as Scott’s successsor is chosen.