Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-29
LookforPalmer
and Coz to
Break
MARSHALL MAY
GET WET VOTES
Winner Must Lead
Delegates From
His Opponents.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


SAN FRANCISCO, June 2s.-William
Gibbs McAdoo has taken the lead in
the race for the democratic presiden-
tial nomination, but the necessary
thirds vote is not yet in sight.
Either the Palmer or Cox forces must
break to McAdoo before he can be
nominated. The McAdoo board of
strategy is confident of drawing
from both camps, but on this, the
second day of the convention. not one
OF the leading candidates can be posi-
tive even of a majority.
Those who are directing the fight
for McAdoo plan to have their man
receive more than ESQ votes on the
nrst ballot The Palmer men are driy-
ing Tor a maximum. They probably
VIII never get more than $50 or 500
votes. and then the numerical build
ing for~Cox and McAdoo will begin.
Inere seems to be some doubt as to
Whether the McAdoo people will throw
IN their reserves and forge ahead as
soon as Palmer is eliminated, or hold
tnelr strength intact while the drive
on COX is tested out. But, while there
IS significant talk everywhere of a
McAdoo triumph. the votes are not yet
on the horizon. The managers are
counting on psychological effect and
breaks as the balloting progresses.
~ would not be at all surprising If
McAdoo got up to 600 votes and fail
ed to get any more for several ballots.
Then the crucial moment will come.
Strength Will Stick.
The McAdoo strength is the kind
that sticks, just as Wilson's following
did at Baltimore in 1912 but there is
always danger when a deadlock comes
that the delegates will begin turning
10 compromise candidates. If that
happens the Indiana delegation will
start movement for Vice President
MARSHALL and may get some support
from New York, Ohio and Illinois. ar
Marshall is supposed to have wet
leanings. On the other hand, such a
situation might be met by the Wilson
FORCES by a counter drive with HON Ter
Cummings, chairman of the demo-
cratic national committee, who is
more OF less friendly to the vets
at least. Bryan considers him so.
Just what effect this turn from the
pig three would have is entirely con-
jectural.
Mr.. Cummings made a splendid i'm
Epfassten with his keynote speech. and
OF course, he is personally known to
most OF; the delegates and would be
acceptable to President Wilson. But
1t Is true that at this writing few
people here expect any such develop
ments. All minds are fixed on the big
three, Palmer, Cox and McAdoo, with
an almost universal feeling through
out San Francisco that McAdoo has
the best chance. Members. Of the New
York delegation. who are bitterly op-
posed to McAdoo, privately concede he
has the best prospects and are whis-
pering to their betting friends to
place their money on him.
~ OF
the victory of the administration
forces in the choice Of Senator Carter
Glass to be chairman Of the resolu-
tions committee. Although a vote was
not taken, it was apparent that the
Wilson forces controlled the situa-
by IS to $3.50 Senator Walsh of Mon
tana withdrew from the race, and the
selection was made unanimous.
Platform Commlttee Busy,
The platform committee went to
work at once. Two things appear to
be settled. One is that the demo-
cratic senators who voted for the
Lodge reservations will not be de-
nounced, as was the case in the Vir-
ginia platform.
Second, the majority of the commit.
| tee will favor a compromise on the
liquor question.
Senator Glass. himself a dry, has
drawn a plank that may not satisfy the
extreme vets, but will, il adopted, wir
the support of many who favor some
modification Of existing conditions with
respect to the Volstead law. The sig.
nificant thing Is that most of the drys
Excluding. of course. Bryan-see the
necessity Of saying something to appease
the demand for a statement on the pro-
hibition question which will not be in.
terpreted by the voter in wet states az
| infexible and immutable
Bryan May BE Softened.
Another vital point is the apparent
| certainty that once the platform is
adopted an opportunity will come TO,
| Gov. Cox and Mr.. McAdoo to tele.
| graph to the chairman of the reso.
lutions committee their approval OF
| the platform. This will mean the
| elimination of all doubt concernine
the willingness Of candidates to rur
on the platform adopted, and If NC.
Adoo should express his approval Of
whatever compromise plank may be
| offered on the prohibition issue some
| of the delegates who have been in.
clined toward Cox on this question
would shift toward McAdoo,
Copyright, 1920.)