Evening star., 1924-06-27

its being changed before he would
accept the nomination
MT. BRYAN, 1T is said, is the man
who could well stand before the deIe
gates and plead for harmony in the
democratic ranks. and to urge that
me discussion OF klan issue is outside
the realm of party politics.
On the final draft of the platform a &
submitted by the committee on reso-
lutlons hangs the question as to
whether that document will be adopt-
ed harmoniously and with little de-
bate. or whether it will lead to long
controversy on the floor and perhaps
devastating strife.
Several things seemed clear-for the
moment:
First. That if the foreign relations
plank indorses the Wilson policies
and promises entrance into the league
or nations there will be no contest
over that subject on the floor.
Khan Fight May BE Avoided.
Second. That if the plank relating
to the Ku klux klan names the klan
in opposition to secret organizations
of that kind, the chances for a floor
fight will be considerably lessened, if
not entirely wiped out Few, if any,
are inclined to come to an open de-
+,
strength is shown in secret.
Third. The platform is not likely
to be one that will, lead to the in
dorsement by the convention either
of William Gibbs McAdoo or Gov. AL
Smith.
Will direct attack on the Khan by
the democratic party platform be
more harmful to the klan, or will it
be more harmful to the Democratic
party. That is question that is be-
ing asked by many of the delegates
who are considering the possibilities
of the election in November.
Rumors persist that Mr.. McAdoo
will not oppose the plank If it names
the klan, Notwithstanding the fact
that he is alleged to have had klan
Endorsement. 1t is said that he has
released the delegates supporting him
If it comes to a vote on the Klan is
sue in the convention itself.
May Clarity Issue.
A bold statement by McAdoo that
he is not opposed to such a plank
and is not connected with the Klan in
any way might go far toward cutting
the ground from under the feet %
those who have used the Klan issue
to belabor him.
Furthermore, if the platform is to con-
tain an anti-klan plank naming that
organization, it is a platform on which
Mr.. McAdoo will have to stand il he
should be nominated. The indications
are that If the fight is brought into the
open that plank would be adopted, it is
said. That being the case, what good
will it do Mr.. McAdoo to withhold a
declaration against the Klan at this
time? On the other hand. such a decIara-
tion might ALLEVIATE a considerable num-
Desperate efforts have been made
in the committee on resolutions to
prevent the naming OF the klan in
to 3 against naming it. But the
threat has been made to carry the
fight to the floor, to take it from
behind closed doors into the open
through minority report, with all
that implies.
Regret Issue Brouxh Up.
Many of the delegates are bemoan-
ing the fact that the Klan issue is
to be dragged into the campaign-and
also the league of nations. They
wanted a straight out fight on the
real business Of whether the gov
GA iAChl 10 " 10 uH ON CONSERVATIVE
or liberal principles. These are the
progressives from the west, in large
part. 1t seems always, they say, as
If some issue outside of the liberal
and conservative fight must be in
jected into every campaign-the Khan
issue, or the prohibition question, or
the Irish question. or the league of
nations. They say it is like drag
ging herring across the trail. and the
people are not given a chance to ex-
press their real sentiments.
For approximately sixty-four hours
the subcommittee and the full COM
mittee on resolutions have been sit
ting in a obscure, old, one elevator
hotel near the convention hall try
ing to decide what to say in the
Democratic platform. No modern
uptown hostelry would admit it is a
hotel. The halls and stairways are
wide. the rooms are big, all sorts Of
short flights of stairs must be climbed
to find the one elevator. It was
chosen because it was more quiet
and near the convention hall.
Bryan Presides.
At the head Of the table during the
final hectic hours of the discussion
of the league, the Klan and other
important questions sat the, old war
hoss. William Jennings Bryan. ridi-
culed, defeated, abused. but the man
who made Woodrow Wilson's nomi-
nation possible in 1912. Today he