Show Last Newsman to See Borah BOl ah Recalls How Lion of Idaho Inept Mum in 1936 Campaign Didn't Di nt Favor Landon Lan on So He lIe Played Ball With Home Iome State Dems Dents By ROBERT S. S ALLEN author Co-author with nith Drew of 0 The Washington Jr Round Go M RolI d. d Released by Western Newspaper Union WASHINGTON The Sen Sen- Senate Senate Senate 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- dent I think I am the last news news- newsman newsman newsman man he talked to It was late in the afternoon I knew that the Presidents President's message on the Finnish loan was due the next day and I dropped into Borah's office to get his views Wrapped in inan inan inan an army blanket he was lying on ona ona a couch reading an article on trade i I treaties He motioned me to a chair which I pulled up near him On the marble mantle directly over him was a striking y ne 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 thinking ing of taking Mrs Borah south I Isaid Isaid Isaid said What about your trip I guess that's off Robert he replied Mrs Borah wont won't stay if I dont don't and I cant Why not Things arent aren't so active now A few weeks of warm weather er and sunshine would do you a lot lotof lotof lotof of good Yes but I cant can't leave Those I trade treaties are up and Ive I've got gotto gotto gotto to be on hand to keep k ep an eye on developments Its It's a close fight and we cant can't take any chances I would like 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 1 asked a very distressing dilemma ma for me Robert he said My heart goes out to those gallant peo peo- people people people but at the same time I have hav grave misgivings about lending money to anyone in Europe Once we let down the bars we cant can't fore fore- foresee foresee foresee see 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 was in a n dilemma It was in 1936 That spring at the age of 71 and for the first time in his long career he decided to make a serious try for forthe forthe forthe the presidency There was consid consid- considerable considerable considerable erable popular response but the ma ma- machine machine machine chine politicians were against him He went to the Cleveland conven conven- convention convention convention tion handed empty and he knew it The night Herbert Hoover made 1 HE lIE WATCHED W LANDON Sen LANDON-Sen- Sen Senator ator Borah waited for Alf Ai f London's Landon campaign before prejudging him but he later confided I 7 1 am not for him his speech which speech which he secretly hoped would stampede 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 and he talked about Hoover the convention and Alf AI Landon Doubted Landon's Ability nominate Landon tomorrow tomor tomor- tomorrow tomorrow row he said The liThe stage is all set Hoover tried to run away convention tonight but they dont don't want yant any ony of him It will be I Landon and Knox you mark my I word I And then what are you going to todo todo todo do Senator I dont don't know Ill I'll wait and see what Landon says But what hat Im I'm wondering is what can he say He knows nothing about national or foreign for for- 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 the e times I dont don't want to pre pre- prejudge prejudge prejudge judge Landon I shall hear him out but I have a strong hunch I will not nol not support him lie He 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 before he retired I remarked that I hadn't heard eard hi him p say a word during the day about Landon And I dont don't intend to say any any- anything 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 lot of Democratic friends in Idaho and I think they know where I I. I stand And then with a gentle smile he added a pretty good goodnews goodnews I news story isn't it It certainly was It was the big scoop of the campaign |