Evening star., 1924-06-26
Taggart Sees
Victory by
Tuesday.
FEELS LEADERS
WILL WEAR OUT
Grave Menace Seen
in Violence of
Klan Row.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.
STAFF Correspondent OF The Star.

NEW. YORK. June 26.-The third
day OF the convention opens with
no light upon the probable nominee
for the presidency. Exaggerated
claims of strength OF the leading
candidates continue to FIJI the air
1t is evident that only by pro
longed series OF roll calls will the
facts as to the conventions choice
tionS OF the boosters Of McAdoo
and Smith. Senator Ralston's stock
still rules high as the possible com
promise selection,
The mass Of the delegate body is
showing a pronounced show me
disposition In response to the im-
portunities OF the boosters OF the
candidates they say: Convince me
that we can elect your man in
November il we nominate him"
Feel Coolidge Hard to Beat.
Many delegates feel that the Repub-
lcans have d strong ticket in Cool
idge and Dawes and the Democratic
party will have its work cut out in
seeking to beat the opposing ticket
There is unbounded confidence among
the delegates that it can be done if
a fortunate selection is made by this
convention.
Too much significance must not be
placed in all these staged demonstra-
tions as the names of candidates are
presented TO the convention. 1t is an
easy matter to get up whoop and
hurrah for candidates, but a large
part of 1t is furnished by the audi
ence. Those grim-fa faced delegates in
the front rows will be called upon to
make the demonstration which will
count when the balloting begins.
One demonstration which is re-
garded as significant, however, was
that which occurred among the dele
gates yesterday as Underwood was
placed in nomination. 1t was regard
ed as an expression of attitude to-
ward the Ku klux Klan and was an
alyzed as anti -McAdoo ir effect. Re
ports of it sent TO the resolutions
subcommittee which is cGnsid derin 2
the Khan plank must have influenced
their determination to lay the issue
before the full committee, whence it
will probably as it looks now. be
taken to the floor of the convention.
Issue Presents Danger.
AS the days progress the thought
full leaders become more and more
impressed with the seriousness to the
whole nation of the KIansmen and
its potentialities for a dangerous civil
clash over religious differences. Will
liam j. Bryan is especially appre-
hensfVe, deprecating most earnestly
the tanning flames of dissension
There are honest differences of
opinion over whether, in the interest
of domestic peace it will be wiser to
try. to pussyfoot" on the issue or
deal with it in more drastic and posi-
tive form. Arguments are presented
on both sides and the leaders are gen.
timely rerplexed.
The wet and dry question and the
league of nations issue sink into
comparative unimportance with this
grave problem. No one really be-
lieves it to be probable that the
Democratic party will even squint to-
ward near-wet plank. AS for the
league of nations, it concerns only
the enthusiasts in favor of the league
and lrreconcilables who are opposed
to it. The rank and file of the dele
gates do not appear to be much
worked up over the issue, and in all
PROBABILITY Will welcome and approve
a middle-of-the-road declaration.
Leaders Still Confident.
The platform is being laboriously
whipped into shape and is expected to
be ready for presenting no later than
tomorrow. Action upon it will be
followed by balloting upon the nomi-
nations for the presidency. Today
the McAdoo people in their asserted
cocksuredness say that the selec-
tion of a candidate will be made by
Saturday night and that, of course,
McAdoo will be the man. The Smith
boasters are willing to agree that
the selection is not far away and
that it will be Smith.
That oldtimer Thomas Taggart of
Indiana says: Hold your horses
along about next Tuesday you both
will be willing to wind up, and the
nominee will be Senator Ralston.' -
The Ra1ston boomers, by direction of
Mr.. Taggart. have nailed the Ralston
colors to the masthead and are going
to make it finish fight.
For a day or two Mr.. Taggart did
not make very serious demonstra-
ton. but after feeling out the situa-
tion. ne has become encouraged to
take more aggressive attitude. He
has organized the Indiana delegation
thoroughly and it is hard at work
today seeking votes. Mr.. Taggart's
policy is not to antagonize the top
liner candidates. McAdoo and Smith
but is laying the groundwork so that
followers of both may later on be
willing to take into considerat ton the
claims of his candidate.
Discounts Age Handicap.
If Senator Ralston were ten years
younger many politicians think his
selection would be assured, in view
Of the conflict between McAdoo and
CONTINUED on Page 4, Column q
III Convention News III