The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-23
Chairman Cummings Character
ICES Published Statement as
Sporadic Negligence.
PLATFORM is DISCUSSED
Leaders Are Conceding That
Hardest Fought Issue Will Be
That of Prohibition.

San Francisco, June 22-William F.
McCombs' statement that President
Wilson's assumption of authority has
been autocratic was termed today by
sporadic criticisms that are negligible
factors in our affairs"
Questions as to 1earship of the
President answer. themselves" Cum
mings said, "The character of such
leadership depends upon the vitality
Of the man who is president. Mr.
Wilson Is a very vital leader and his
greatness will be more universally re-
cognized in the next decade than per-
haps It is now.
Discussion as to platform and or
ganization of the Democratic National
Convention continued today to concern
delegates here apparently more than
prospects of aspirants for the nomin-
nation. 1t was said if proposal to
make Senator Walsh of Montana, per-
manent chairman of the convention
is not realized he may not be put
forward for the craftsmanship of the
resolutions committee which frames
the platform.
Secretary Colby has been frequently
mentioned as permanent chairman;
Senator Glass, of Virginia, heretofore
has been virtually the only delegate
advocated to head the platform COM
mittee.
Chicago, June 22-There is no dis
4. n
none is expected said attorney General
Palmer today. "All is harmony" He /
refused to discuss his own candidacy
hut Warren yandyke, secretary Of the
Pennsylvania state committee, predict
ed Palmer would have more than four I
hundred votes on first ballot. They |
were among the host of Democrats I
who PASSED through today
San Francisco June 22--No men |
will get anywhere by subjecting the /
President to either an. open attack or !
by sneering reference" said e. H.
Moore, manager of the campaign for T
Governor Cox of Ohio. for the Demo- /
cratic presidential nomination. in a /
statement today replying to the charge
by William f.. McCombs of New York, |
that the president has been autocratic |
in assumption of authority.
While hotel lobbies began today to
take on the appearance of a national
political convention only few of the
Democratic chieftains who will figure
prominently in the party's quadrenniall
gathering next week had reached the
convention city.
Direct developments of the day were
confined to physical preparation of
- ~ l
vention and the work was well ad-
vanced. but there was much discussion
in progress as TO elements that would
be involved in shaping the party plat
form and there was strikingly little
talk about candidates.
out of the talk of the day came
a increasing rumble of wet" and
dry maneuvers. No definite state
ments were obtainable from leaders
who have reached the scene of battle
but is was clearly indicated that they
looked forward to a fight on the floor
OF the convention over efforts to make
tAe Demcratic platform advocate mod
ification of the prohibition enforce
ment law through beer plank" ii
Some observers who had counted
noses on the resolutions committee
which will frame the tentative draft
of the platform said the "drysn would
control by sufficient margin to Sc
cure defeat of any wet plank in the
draft Ii was added however. that if |
the question of permitting manufac- |
ture of mild beverages was brought [
before the convention itself, the re- |
suit would be more in doubt. Pending I
arrival of Senator Glass of Virginia,
slated to be chairman of the con. ,
fion no direct stem iowa r5 s,,,r,5;,,S. Z
sentiment in the convention on the 1
issue appeared likely.
The League of Nations issue did
not fill prominent place in talk I
among leaders today. but possfbiIitv !
of a struggle over Japanese >exclus-
ion was suggested after Governor
stephens letter to Secretary CnIhv
declaring the situation serious IN
California, had been read. coupled as
it was with the statement of Senator 2
Phelan of this state, that the demo / 9
Gratis should deal with the Oriental I
problem in framing the platform a
Comment on this aspect of the situa-
ton did not indicate. however. that II |
was no occupying an important place
IN the minds of leaders on the ground
There was no marked activity II
among supporters of men seeking the
presidential nomination. Posters urg- II
ing the claims of Attorney General /
Palmer began to appear after head S
quarters for his boom had been es- +
tablished and workers in behalf of In
governor Cox of Ohio and other as Iy
nirants were beginning to arrive Ii
rhey are not expected to get their
seampaigns into active motion however 2
until later in the week a