New-York tribune., 1920-01-08
Hint That Nebraskan NAV
Dominate Convention
Chief Argument for
1ndorsing Treaty Ideas
r al1ner's Candidacy
Given New Impetus
San Francisco and Kansas
City Lead in Contest
for Place of Meeting
By Carter Field
Neso York Tribune
WaShin1to7s B,srenu

Neso York Tribune
Washington BarcnH
WASHINGTON, Jan. THE first ac-
ton OF the Democratic National Com
mittee when it meets tomorrow is ex-
pected to be an Endorsement of Presi-
dent Wilson's stand on the peace
treaty. Whether this will 20 so far as
to demand ratification without reser-
vations is not sure. 1t seems more
likely that this delicate question will
be avoided by sort of blanket in
dorsement of the Administration.
The committee, incidentally, is being
driven into very strong Administers
tion position by the very great fear of
Bryan. That is believed to be one OF
the reasons for the quick development
of Attorney General Palmer's strength
as candidate during the last week.
"A firm position behind the President
also protects the party leaders from
having their organization more or less
annexed by Bryan.
Bryan Power Is Feared
Everywhere the. fear Of the Peerless
Leader is apparent. Arthur Mullen,
national committeeman from Nebraska,
encouraged fellow-committeem by
promising that he would keep Bryan
out OF the convention, as he did in
1915. Other committeeman, however,
were not so sure that Mullen could ac-
complish this, with Senator Hitchcock,
Democratic boss of the state, frankly
ia hot oh ko
permitted to go as delegate if he
wants to.
Bryan was expected to arrive in
Washington to-day, but did not get in,
and is now expected early tomorrow.
His action in ordering transcript Of
all that is said at the Jackson Day
dinner to, be taken by his own stenog-
raphers is disquieting to other speak
ers, who fear he will scan their re-
marks carefully, especially if they de-
part from their prepared addresses, for
material on which to attack them.
While Vice-President Marshall de-
dinner, on the ground that he was not
candidate, National Committeeman
Edward Hoffman, Of Indiana, who ar
rived to-day, Joined ex-senator Thomas
Taggart, big chief Of the Democratic
organization in the Hoosier State, in
declaring that Indiana was behind
Marshall if he should desire it.
Fight for Convention Hot
On the eve of the meeting of the
national committee the place Of hold
ing the national convention is still in
doubt. The fight, which had narrowed
down to three cities-Kansas City,
Chicago and San Francisco-was fur
ther complicated to-day by the re-
entry of St. Louis in the race. Com
mitteemen from thirteen Of the West
crn. States, however, in meeting
pledged themselves to stand by San
Francisco to the last ditch. and they
have considerable support from COM
Norman E. Mack, of New York, one Of
the best boosters the Pacific Coast
city has.
Chairman Cummings of the commit
tee announced gravely to-day that the
proposals of the cities desiring the
convention would have to be submitted
in writing tomorrow, $50 there will be
no doubt as to what was meant" San
Francisco has certified check for
100000 rcposing in the Golfers Of the
Riggs National Bank here, while so far
Kansas City has an offer of only $780,
900, with guaranty of expenses, and
Chicago, up to a late hour tonight, had
not met San Francisco's ante. 1t seems
to lie between San Francisco and Kan
sas City.
June % Date Probable
The Democratic convention probably
will be held beginning Tuesday, June
%, no matter whether it goes to the
Middle West or the Pacific Coast. The
Democrats are initiating the Repub-
licans in moving. the opening day up to
Tuesday instead Of Wednesday, on which
day both parties generally have opened
their conventions in the past. The
reason for the change is the same with
both national committees. They desire
to avoid the danger of running the con-
ventions over Sunday.
Aside from the question of money
which will not sway the committee at
all tomorrow II certified checks for
equal amounts are put up by each city
there are several other issues be-
tween Kansas City, the chief contestant
from the Middle West, and San Fran
cisco. Kansas City Ia heing attacked as
not having adequate hotel facilities,
while the difficulty OF getting proper
publicity on account Of shortage IN
trunk line telegraph lines from San
Francisco and The additional expense
and loss OF time which would bc i'm
posed on all the delegates is urged
against tho California city.
Much will depend on the recommen--
datjon OF committee consisting OF
Norman r. Mack, Of New York; Ed
ward q. Hoffman, Of Indiana, and Clark
Howell, Of Georgia, which was ap-
A