Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-24
McAdoo-Smith Fight
Dirns Other Features
as Rivalry Warns
to White Heat


nation has become a resolute tug Of
var between the supporters of Nc
Adoo and Smith, with partisans Of a
1ozen favorite sons looking on with
an apparent air Of grim satisfac-
ion over the prospect.
Two days before the national
convention begins in Madison Square
Garden the McAdoo and Smith
camps both are making unqualified
claims of a victory already won; but
none the less, the groups Of I'M
pledged delegates who hold the whip
hand are besieged by scouts and
outrunners from the two contesting
groups as they arrive in increasing
numbers to swell the convention
crowds already here.
The activities of the field forces
Of the two leading candidates today
cast into shadow every other fea.
ture of the big quadrennial show Of
the Democrats. The Ku Klux Khan
issue, which Is promising the most
bitter and spectacular of the con-
tests to be waged over platform pol.
icies, was thrown for the moment
into the background and all the
other jealousies and disputes that al
ways characterize the final pre-
convention period were all but OBJ
liberated from the picture. McAdoo
and Smith and their political lieu
tenants not only hold the center Of
the stage, but almost may be said
to constitute the show itself.
Issues Quiet Now |
There is a complete realization, Of
course, that the problems before the
convention are submerged only tenn
porarily. They are expected later on
to kindle into flame the rivalries
they have created, and tn add many
a colorful moment to the convention
before it is over. But for today,
and probably for two or three days,
or week to come, the delegates
and their leaders are engrossed in
the much more personal and hui
man grapple Of two now outstand-t
ing Democrats for the greatest hon
or the party can bestow.
In its nature the scrap must pro-
coed up to certain point without
much outward manifestation. In the
Sfo of Lo ~,
under cover, to be discussed quietly
but none The less gravely by party
counsellors in the seclusion Of their
conference rooms. When time and
consultations have crystallized opin-
ions, thu fireworks are expected to
begin. !
With the McAdoo-Sm fight 1t is
different. The time for the fire;
works already is here, and the po-
litical sky over Manhattan is il
lumined tonight with a display of
pyrotechnics that long has been I'M
the process Of careful preparation.
The contest has become a struggle
matching in it's intensity the most
celebrated in party history and with
the added modern qualities of fever!
ish haste and perfect organization.
Distributed everywhere, the mis-
sionaries for Smith and McAdoo are
carrying their gospels into every
nook and corner where delegates ara
to be found.
Atmosphere of Battle
There are handshakes and vel.
coming smiles for the uninstructed
as they step from their trains; can.
didatorial literature, badges and
souvenirs are thrust into their
hands as they pass through the
lobbies Of their hotels, and are slip,
ped under their doors; their ears are
assailed with an unceasing paean Of
praise for the qualities of the fa-
vorite candidate. And they are as
sured solemnly by the Smith men
that Smith is certain to be nomi7
mated and by the McAdoo men that
McAdoo is the only possible winner.
At the McAdoo headquarters high
in an uptown hotel, private ele-
vator is provided to carry callers to
the easy-chaired conference rooms
where the inner circle of the Nc.
Adoo managers use their best per-
suasive powers on possible converts.
Negro doorkeepers go to and fro
with flying messages from one lieu.
tenant to another, with reports from
listening posts out before the enemy
and with orders and advice from
those in command to those on the
firing line. The air OF driving en-
thusiasn1 and Of organized deter
mination is unacceptable.
The Smith forces are quite as
busy, and their convention ma
chinery is far-flung across the no.
tel section of New York. EThe gov.
ernor is living at one hotel where
many delegates and party leaders
are congregated for the convention,
and in his suite receives a constant
stream of visitors.
Dark Horses Hope
In another hotel, where the Dem.
1cratic national committee is housed.
here are two Smith headquarters,
one on the street level, just ada.
cent to the lobby and one in quiet.
er and more secluded spot several
-loors above. In addition, the of.
Ices of the Smith campaign man.
lger, Franklin ID. Roosevelt, OCCUPY
/ suite in an uptown office build
ng and hold open house. His scouts
Ire every where, girls are distribute
ng Smith for president" badges
~ the thousands and women are
to pass around Smith
cavaliers and vanity cases
o women. delegates.
If this campaign has done more
han to close up the gaps in the
pposing ranks there is no outward
violence of it, except the directly
claims of the rival man.
gers. No favorite son has been
and no delegation has
nnounced any change of allegi-
nee since it reached New York. On
re contrary, those who have the
.eys to the paddock Of dark horses
rofess to be gaining hope hourly
s the McAdOO and Smith supnort