The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-06-21
SAYS WILSON WON'T.
BOSS CONVENTION
Cummings Believes, However,
That Presidents Wishes VIII
Be Carried Out.
NJ JAMES n. RISE.
Uu1veruaI Service.

UnsversaI Service.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 2i.--chair'
man Homer Cummings. OF the Demo-
cratic National Committee. believes
the Democrats are going TO have an
"unb ossed" convention. 1t will be en-
tirely free from any attempted die
tation from the white House In MS
opinion. He has made no arrange
ments to set up a private wire con-
Meeting the convention hall with the
executive offices In Washington.
But Mr.. Cummings also believes that
the President will have his own way
In all matters connected with the Sc
lection of the candidate and the draft
ing of the platform. He believes IL
as good as settled that the virginia
platform on the league OF nations 10
sue, which has been approved by tho
President. will be adopted by the con-
vention. He thinks that nothing
which may be attempted by Mr.. Bryan
on the league question or by tho ad-
vocates of q wet" plank will get
anywhere.
EXPECTS COMPLETE HARMONY.
In other words. while Mr.. Cummings
believes the convention Is going 10
be a perfectly harmonious affair ut
terly free from boss control. he also
is OF the opinion that the opponents
Of President Wilson are going to be
In the minority and that the conven-
ton "will go along" with the wishes
of the President in all matters OF
concern to the party.
Take the two statements together
and think them over.
Mr. Cummings expressed his views
along these lines In an interview
given to the correspondent OF Unit
versal Service this afternoon. He
| discussed the situation with conn
dcnce and frankness. refraining only
from giving any expression as 10
whom the candidates OF the conven-
ton would be.
He emulated in this respect the
| oft-repeated assertion of Republican
Chairman Will Hays that the bust
ness of the chairman was ito elect,
not select" the candidates.
RETICENT ON THIRD TERN.
There was just one question which
Chairman Cummings seemed inclined
| to discuss with reticence. That was
the subject OF a third term" for
President Wilson. He dismissed the
subject with the statement that il
was a constantly recurring topic"
He admitted, however, he had no au-
thority from President Wilson to say
to the convention that a third term
nomination would be unacceptable.
Discussing the matter of the plat
form, Chairman Cummings stated
| that in his opinion there would be
very little difficulty in reaching an
agreement upon all the vital issues.
He said that the Republicans in their
l ..l- - = Ia aaI
| simplifieu the issue for the Democrats
and there remains no longer any
question as to the stand the Demo
Gratis will take. He defined the issue
| in this manner:
1T is perfectly clear that II the
Democrats had won In the 1918 cleo
| ton the treaty would have been rati-
| ned and would have long ago passed
| into history. 1t is also now perfectly
clear that II the Democrats win in
| 1920 the treaty will be ratified. No
| clearer definition of the issue than
| that could be desired"
DENOUNCEs &. o. +. STAND.
! Denouncing the Republican declar-
alton on the league issue. Cummings
| continued:
The Republican plank on the
treaty is Dishonest and misleading. II
was a calculated attempt to mislesd
| and deceive. 1t is sad to see a great
political party ducking and lodging
on a great vital issue. 1t Is sad
commentar on American politics. I
don't believe the people will ever sup
port such policy"
Mr.. Cummings was questioned
| about the attitude of Mr.. Bryan
and whether he did not fear
the influence Of the Nebraskan in the
convention il exerted against a less
decisive Endorsement OF the league
than that contained in the Virginia
| platform, might not succeed. He dis
missed the subject of Mr.. Bryan and
his power to influence the convention
with this statement:
81 don't know what Mr.. Bryan will
do, whether he will fight the Vir-
ginia platform >or. not. Even II he
does, it will not make any difference.
1t is a waste of time to debate what
Mr.. Bryan is going to do or how
many people will stand with him"
what have you to say of others
besides Mr.. Bryan who disagree with
the President and would like to have
less rigorous declaration in the
| platform on the treaty question:"
\ was asked.
| "All question OF opposition to the
| President and to the treaty is at an
end" Mr.. Cummings replied. Let us
dismiss all thought OF that. The ma
| jority in the convention will be solid
! ly behind the President and his poll
cies with regard to the treaty and
| other issues"
| Mr.. Cummings is OF the opinion
that the platform adopted by the con-
| vcntion will consist merely OF the
| virginia platform plus a few plank
on social questions. profteering and
| other local issues" He looks for no
fight on the liquor question.