Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-07-01
Californian Fights Des-
perate'y With Back to Wall
as First Break Looms.
LEADERS DOUBT CHOICE
WILL BE MADE TODAY
Roosevelt Is Latest to Be Mention
ed Among Possible Dark
Horse Candidates.
BY n. O. MESSENGER.
stan Correspondent of The Star

|
with his back to the wall, W. G..
McAdoo this afternoon watched the
rising tide Of Smith and DAVIS senti-
ment menace his leadership in the
balloting Of the Democratic con-
vention-
While McAdoo and Smith are
locked in death struggle, there has
been an unmistakable increase in
Davis sentiment among the delega-
tions pledged to vote for McAdoo
only until it appears certain that his
nomination is impossible. Through
out the morning the former Secre-
tary of the Treasury was able to
keep his forces intact but evidences
of rift were apparent this afternoon
The Davis managers have pleaded
with Illinois to give Davis a. start,
but George E. Brennan could not see
| his way clear to "come across" just
| now.
! Refused New York Aid.
They also tried to lay some wires
| with New York, but the Empire state
| managers are very we'll satisfied with
the way the game is rolling and not
disposed to make any promises now.
The more each of these gains the
| tighter becomes the deadlock Thomas
Taggart, Brennan, Senator Pat Harri-
son and other leaders were very pes
siTnistic over the likelihood OF any
ciined to think the nomination can.
not be made before late tonight and
possibly not until tonaerrpw.A !: s,sss.ss, )
weary -looking and Worn Win fhs
the delegates filed into the hall this
morning. not much refreshed after
last nights session, which closed at
midnight. During yesterday they
had taken fifteen ballots and had
presidential candidate. In fact, the
only gain accomplished was the elimi-
nation Of three or four favorite sons
and the distribution of the votes of
those states among other candi-
dates. -.
On the fifteenth ballot last night
Mr.. .McAdoo was leading with 479
votes having made a Eairf during the
day Of 47h votes Gov. Smith trailed
IS to his credit. There were 313A
votes in the field from which the two
might draw.
This was the situa ton this morning
when balloting was resumed.
Managers of both the McAdoo and
Smith forces claim to have forces in
reserve, to be thrown into the ballot
ing at the psychological moment. but
1t is difficult to see how either can
attain the two-thirds majority. which
apparently only can be done by a
now unexpected landslide. To be
sure, there appears to be a disposi-
tion of desperation in some quarters
to let McAdoo take the ball and run
with it. Yet on second thought, those
who feel that way cannot bear the
idea of throwing away the election
In November. as 50 many Of the lead
ing spirits in the party think will be
done If McAdoo is nominated.
Dark Horse Main Hone,
All these considerations naturally lead
to renewal Of the hopes of the dark
horses and the favorite sons who still
remain in the running. John W. Davis
found his vote increasing during yes
terday, and his managers started the
day this morning very much buoyed up
In spirits. Despite the fact that there
has been an undoubted dip in Ralston
STOCK. due to his having been caught in
the Kan machinery, Tom TaEgart, his
opening of the session, and still main
tained that the tide would soon be turn
ing in his favor. 1t is noted that Ralston
made no gains yesterday, which is a
very bad sigh.
Roosevelt Mentioned.
There is much talk this morning of
Franklin D. Roosevelt for first place If
and when the Smith boom blows up Mr..
Roosevelt would not consider it for a
moment as long as Gov. Smith is in the
running. and moreover is inSbad health.
1t will be recalled that he ran for Vice
President in 1920.
Senator Glass Of Virginia is among
the top-liners as a dark horse. II and
wnen McAdoo finds his case hopeless.
Tne very fact that Senator Glass hoist
ed his lightning rod suddenly after
starting out to support McAdoo is sus-
pected by many to indicate that he may
have ground to hope for McAdoo's sup
port when the crash comes, II it does
Vice Preside.ey Is.o.ed.
No one is giving a thought to the
vice presidency pending the uncer-
tafnty whether the candidate for first
place is to come from the east or the
west. Geographical considerations
naturally Will enter into the choice
for second place on the ticket.
If the candidate 10 picked from the
west, it Is not impossible that the
convention might draft Franklin d.
Roosevelt for the vice presidency a
1t did in 1890.
There were signs Of impatience and
tfrftations among the delegates this
morning over the delay In making q
nomination and many Of them are
getting restless as they contemplate
their diminishing rolls. The hrst
weeks hotel bills have fallen due now
and many of them are said to be al.
most broke" Your impoverished
!. (Conttnued on Pare 3 Column 1)
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