The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-26
EXPECTS
. SOME STRONG
PLANKS
Predicts Unanimous Votes on
Platform After Compromises
Are Reached
By WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN,
Written Especially for The Washington
Times.

I@tiOs 4AAC NAAAHS0A1 WOAA VI a
national convention Of either Of
the parties is the writing Of the
platform.
The committee cannot be ap-
pointed until after the organiza-
ton of the convention. Then, Of
course, the members desire to
hear the keynote speech Of the
temporary chairman.
Groups Present Views.
Next comes the meeting Of the
committee and it's organization by
the election Of a chairman and a
secretary. Following this. there are
hearings.
A great many people have sugges-
tons to make. all earnest and many
Of them helpful to the committee.
They generally come In groups,
representing large constituencies.
Samuel Gompers and Frank Nor.
rison presented tle program of the
Federation of Labor. The veteran
head of the organization has been
Ill and the committee appreciated
the sacrifice of rest and strength
that he made to again be the mouth
piece of the nations greatest or.
ganization of wage earners.
The liquor question was present
ed by three groups, Wayne B.
Wheeler and the Reverend James
Cannon appeared for the anti
saloon league.
Doctor Clinton N. Howard and
Oliver Stewart appeared for num-
Der Of organizations totalling some
thing like 100000 members.
The anti-saloon league asked for
plank demanding law enforce
ment; Doctors Howard and Stewart
advocated stronger plank opposing
any increase In the alcoholic con-
tent.
Captain w. H. Stayton spoke for
the Association Opposed to the
Eighteenth Amendment and pres
ented a plank asking for two and
three quarters per cent beer.
Classifying Propositions.
The khan issue was presented
| with considerable feeling by several
opponents of the organization. Col
the standpoint of a Catholic, object
ed to having the campaign turned
from an economic to a religious
issue.
The league issue was presented
by a number of speakers and then
after hearing a large number of
representatives of smaller groups,
the committee settled down to the
work of sitting out the more import
ant propositions and classifying
them.
The members were soon hard at
work when a photographer came
into photograph the group, he found
the twelve members of the commit
tee in their shirt sleeves. What a
delightful time such a committee
had.
The platform committee is always
made up Of men of public expert
ence in politics, and the sub-com-
mittee is composed of the most ex-
perienced of these experienced poll
ticians.
At this writing the work of the
subcommittee is not yet completed
and its progress cannot be revealed.
Ready to Compromise.
But I venture to say without VIC.
lation of the rules of propriety that
the subcommittee is made up OF an
agreeable a lot of men as 1 have
ever met in a convention. They do
not always agree in opinion, but
there Is the utmost charity and
courtesy in the discussions.
Each member shows a disposition
NVdt Pc,
accommodating his views to the
views of the others, but the mem
bers are not always free to do as
they please because they represent
delegations and are conscientiously
trying to reflect the wishes of those
for whom they speak.
While the subcommittee was per-
spring over the planks of the plat.
form, saving, fitting, and then nail.
Ing them down, the convention pro-
ceeded with nominating speeches. I
spoke in my last article of the nonu-
mating speech of Mr.. Johnston of
Alabama, whose reference TO the
Kan stirred up demonstration that
Tor while threatened to end in a
riot.
Ex-Governor Brough, of Arkan.
sas, presented the name of that
States distinguished Senator Joe
Robinson, minority leader of the
Senate. Brough is a fine speaker.
a real orator, and he had a subject
to his liking, for Robinson is a
lovable man, as well as a states
man of large merit and long ex-
perience.
Governor Brough, who is him.
self presidential timber, is a scholar
who went from the presidency of
the State university of Arkansas to
the gubernatorial chair.
Given Real Thrill.
Ex-senator James D. Phelan of
California placed ex.Secretary Nc.
Adoo before the convention. SEN
ator Phelan is a pioneer westerner
and is one of the Democratic war
horses of the Pacific coast. Being
himself a Catholic of prominence.
his advocacy of McAdoo is proof
or the fact that the latter's record
Is free from religious objection.
The demonstration that followed
Mr.. McAdoo's nomination is vari.
ously estimated at from fifty min.
utes to one hour. It was quite pic.
turesque and gave the Convention
audience a real thrill. California
always does things well, whether
she is at a fruit exhibition, a.
flower show or a political gather.
ing.
Copyright 1924. by the McNGuRhA
kyndtcataA Iun.1 1850 80