Evening star., 1924-06-21
M'ADOO AND SMITH
REDOUBLE EFFORTS
Fight Between Two Leading Can.
didates Easily Dominates
Convention.
KLAN ISSUE GROWS BITTER
Struggle May Be Carried to Floor
of Convention.
BY the Associated Press


NEW YORK. June 21-Redoubled
efforts to strengthen their positions
today occupied the camps of William
e. McAdoo and Gov Alfred f. Smith
as the Democratic national committee
went in session to complete final ar
ransements for the opening of the
national convention at Madison
Square Garden next Tuesday
The fight between the Smith and
McAdoo forces easily was the domi-
mating feature of the closing days of
the re-convention period, but other
issues, particularly that of the ku
klux klan, also held prominent
places in the discussions among the
assembling delegates
An increasing demand from George
f. Brennan of Illinois and leaders
from other states that the platform
added to the difficulties of the plat
form builders. who already We're di-
Vlded on that point.
McAdoo StiII silent
Meantime, Mr. MCAdoo maintained
silence on this and other planks in
the platform. At his headquarters II
was made known that he had not
consulted party leaders on that or
other questions which are giving con-
Germ to the group who are under
taking to shape up general party
expression for presentation to the
platform committee, which will be
organized with the meeting OF the
convention. Predictions that the Khan
issue would find its way to the floor
of the convention for final decision
were made today in several quarters
There also were those who regarded
ii as possible that the prohibition
question would be taken TO the Hoor'
but the "dryS," confident of strong
enforcement. were concentrating their
fight against wet" candidates.
Strategy Boards Busy.
Both McAdoo and Smith held fire.
ouent conferences today with dele
gates and leaders from number of
states. Confidence radiated from both
headquarters, but the strategy boards
on each side were busy with their
preparations and organizations were
being perfected and enlarged.
At the McAdoo headquarters a force
of twelve, to have charge of as many
zones on the convention floor. was
being formed. 1t is to function under
the general supervision of David
Rockwell. McAdoo's campaign man
ager, and Will constitute something
of an innovation in national conven-
tions.
Gov. Smiths plans with regard to
convention work are carefully guard
ed but formal announcement has
ROOSp-
Welt, former Secretary of the Navy.
and candidate for the vice presidency
in 1920, will place his name before
the delegates.
Other Leaders Active.
Although the NcAdoo-Smith con-
test overhadowed their activities,
supporters of other candidates for the
presidency and dark horses" were
far from idle. Workers were here
and there about the hotels pressing
the claims of their favorites upon in
coming delegations. Some of these
candidates already are on the ground
and others are due within the next
few days.
The force of party leaders on the
ground had been augmented by the
arrival of Thomas TIA ggart, the Demo-
cratic leader in Indiana, and Joseph
Z. Guffey, national committeeman
from Pennsylvania. They conferred
with party chieftains during the day
With the intelligence from McAdoo
headquarters that d decision there
respecting the abrogation of the two
thirds rule for the nomination of d
presidential candidate would be de-
ferred for at least day or two, that
question was pushed somewhat in the
back ground, but leaders recognized
that it was ,freighted with the pos
sibility of a spectacular fight on the
floor. which might furnish the first
test of strength between McAdoo and
his opponents.
The volunteer platform builders re-
sumed their work and hoped to reach
at least tentative agreements on
number of the less controversial
planks. The main questions to be
dealt with were fairly we'll agreed
upon, but there remained a difference
of opinion as to the language and
broadness of expression to be en-
ployed in the framing of others.