Show Last Writer Wi itel to See Borah BOlah Recalls Recall How Idaho's Lion I Kept Mum in 36 Campaign Didn't Favor Landon So He Played Ball With Home State Dems By ROBERT S. S ALLEN author Co-author with Drew Pearson Pearon of o f The TheW Washington W Merry Go Released by b Western Newspaper Union T T WASHINGTON The The Sen- Sen Senate VV ate just doesn't seem the same without Senator Borah He was the first leader I came to know intimately as a cub Washington reporter 15 years ago and I saw him last the day before his fatal acci acci- accident accident dent I think I am nm the last news news- newsman newsman man he talked to It was late in the afternoon I knew that the Presidents President's message on the Finnish loan lorin was due the next day and I dropped Into Borah's office to get his views Wrapped in inan Inan an army blanket he was lying on ona ona a couch reading an article on trade I treaties He motioned me to a chair which I pulled up near him On the marble mantle directly over him was a striking new photograph of himself which he liked very much Duty Came First Borah looked well but frail and recalling that during the Christmas holiday he had told me he was think think- thinking thinking ing of taking Mrs Borah south I Isaid Isaid Isaid said What about your trip trip- tripI trIp tripI that's at oft off of Robert Ro he I guess es h. h replied Mrs Horah Borah wont won't stay 11 U UI I I dont don't and I cant Why not Things arent aren't so active now A few tew weeks of ot warm weather er and sunshine would do you a lot lotof lotof lotof of good Yes but I cant can't leave Those trade rade treaties are up and Ive I've got goto gotto gotto to o be on hand band to keep an eye on developments Its It's a close fight and we cant can't take any chances I would like ike a little rest but I feel its it's my duty to stay on the job and oppose this act What about the Finnish loan I asked a very distressing dilemma ma for me Robert Robert he said My heart goes out to those gallant peo pea people people pie but at nt the same time I have grave misgivings about lending money to anyone in Europe Once we let down the bars we cant can't fore fore- foresee see sec what it may lead to We must keep out of that mess regardless of our personal sympathies Dilemma of 1936 I remember another time when he le was In a dilemma It was in 1936 That spring at the age of 71 and andor for or the first time in his long career he le decided to make a serious try for forthe forthe forthe the presidency There was consid consid- considerable considerable erable popular response but the ma ma- machine machine chine politicians were against him He Ic went to the Cleveland conven convene convention convention tion handed empty and he knew it The night Herbert Hoover made a I a s M. M ti t s' s I HE WATCHED W LANDON LANDON- Senator Borah waited for Jor All Alf London's Landon's campaign before pre prejudging prejudging judging him but he lie later con con- confided confided confided I 7 am not for him his speech which speech which he secretly hoped would stampede stamp de the delegates I I countered Borah leaving his hotel It was past midnight hot and sticky Come along Robert and walk with me he said Its cooler out here So we walked about the deserted streets ant he talked about Hoover the convention and Alt Alf Landon Doubted Landon's Ability nominate Landon tomor tomor- tomorrow tomorrow row he be said The stage Is all set Hoover tried to run away with the convention tonight but they dont don't want any of him It will be Landon and Knox you mark my word And then what are you going to todo todo todo do Senator I dont don't know Ill I'll wait walt and see sec what Landon says But what Im I'm wondering is what can he say He knows nothing about national or for for- foreign foreign foreign eign affairs I am told he is a nice gentleman but the country needs more than that in the White House Housein in these times I dont don't want to pre pre- prejudge prejudge judge Landon I shall hear him out but I have a strong hunch I will not support him He lIe Didn't Either Borah's premonition was right Three months later I spent a day with him in Boise as he campaigned for his sixth senatorial term We had a long talk that night in his room a h hG retired I remarked that I haM hadn earl eard him say a word during the day ay about Landon And I dont don't d nt intend to say any any- anything anything thing about him Borah replied quietly I am not for him Are you for Roosevelt Well Robert he said Ive got gota a alot lot of ot Democratic friends in Idaho and I think they know where I stand And then with a gentle smile he added a pretty good goodnews goodnews goodnews news story isn't it It certainly was It was the big scoop of the campaign |