The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-27
SMITH BEATEN,
WHEELER
FINDS
Senator Says McAdoo Can
Dictate Choice-Chances
for Dark Horse Grow
BY BURTON X. WHEELER.
United States Senator From

$4,000
Montana.
Copyright. 1875. international Feature
Service. Inc)
NEW YORK, June 27.-The
Democrat nominated by this con
vention as the standard bearer OF
the 1924 campaign, must beat
McAdoo, Davis, Ralston, and Walsh
to win.
This was the situation as the
national convention began its
fourth session today with thu
chances of a first ballot being
taken before nightfall. The out.
look was uncertain with oppor'
tunity apparently seeking a dark
horse"
Governor Al Smith cannot be
nominated. That much was ap
parent even to his managers who
looked the facts squarely in the
face. His chances of success were
fatally injured by the tactics OF
his friends in the galleries thirty
minutes after his demonstration
started at yesterdays session
They seriously offended numerous
delegates who might have gone to
Smith in event Of a protracted dead
lock.
McAdoo Can Dictate.
There is still a possibility of
William Gibbs McAdoo being nomi.
mated, but not a probability. II
the McAdoo forces hold their lines,
they can dictate the nomination of
almost any man they want. They
have not yet combined on a second
choice.
The Smith forces, sensing defeat
Of their leader. have been unable to
unite upon any other candidate,
nor can they agree upon a com
promise dark horse" with the
other forces in the convention who
Joined them in opposing McAdoo.
Part Of the Smith following is for
John w. Davis, as second choice,
but Davis Is looked upon by the
progressive element in the Smith
group as a reactionary, controlled
by Wall Street interests, and they
will bitterly oppose his selection as
a compromise candidate. The
Smith ranks were badly split as a
result.
r.. The same situation exists in the
McAdoo camp. A reactionary group
will support Davis, while the pro.
gressives will fight his selection.
Davis Forces Active.
There Is a great deal Of activity
under cover in support of Mr..
Davis candidacy. His managers are
hopeful that when the break comes
in the McAdoo and Smith camps,
that they will be able to stampede
the convention for their candidate.
The progressives in this convention.
however, feel that Davis nomination
would mean disaster for the Demo.
cratic party in November. Regard.
less of his high qualifications, the
progressives believe that he can.
not be sold to the people because
OF his Wall Street connections.
have also found a great deal of
second choice sentiment for Sen.
ator SamNlel Ralston Of Indiana.
II he were ten years younger and
more aggressive in action, there
would be no question about his
nomination. The handicap of ad.
vanced age may defeat him but he
remains strong possibility in
event the convention reaches q. pro.
tracted deadlock after bitter fac.
tional fighting.
A boom for my Senatorial col.
league, Senator Thomas ]. Walsh,
has assumed definite proportions.
Among a large number of progress.
sive delegates, he is thought to he
the strongest man that the conven.
ton could nominate.
There is talk among the Smith
and McAdoo managers tending to.
ward an ultimate compromise on
Senator Walsh.
Walsh Is Satisfactory.
There Is a feeling that he would
be satisfactory to the drys, to or.
ganiged labor, to the Smith forces,
to McAdoo's following and that by
reason OF his outstanding leadership
for clean government, he would be
the logical candidate to lead the
fight against Republican corruption
In public office. His candidacy is
receiving serious consideration by
the highest leaders Of the party.
There II also q movement on foot
tor tha selection az Senator Joseph