Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-23
Grim Rival Camps


The opposing forces of McAdoo
and Smith face each other in solid
phalanxes, each claiming victory but
each straining every resource to con-
solidate its position before the OPEN
ing session of the convention is call
ed to order Tuesday noon in Madi-
son Square Garden.
The managers for a dozen other
candidates are at work no less ear
nestly.
A group of leaders, after almost a
week of consultation, has about per-
fected a tentative draft of the plat
form, but they realize that much of
their work will have to be done over
again by the platform committee and
perhaps on the convention floor. I'm
der the surface the fight over the Ku
KluX Khan is stiffening, the disagree
ment on foreign relations plank Is
, growing hourly more complicated and
every arriving train brings in a new
group of enthusiasts bent on incor-
porating some pet proposal in the
parties declaration of principals.
Bewilderment continues, too, over
the possibility over a fight to abolish
the traditional convention rule re-
quiring a two thirds vote of the con-
vention to select a nominee. Only a
few are openly advocating the change,
but the possibility of active support
for 1t from the McAdoo camp has
prominence.
Reports of crumblings in the
strength of tho two leading candi-
dates and Of decided swings to this
or that favorite son, also bob about
in the churning pre-convention talk.
Throughout today the delegates ar
rived in constant prt cession and by
tonight most of the 1893 men and
women who will have votes in the
convention had already reached their
hotels and had been sounded out by
the flying squadrons of workers OPP
Grating from the headquarters of Nc
Adoo and Smith. Many had been
approached, too, by the representa-
tives of favorite son and dark horse
movements.
While both the Smith and McAdoo
men were reiterating their respective
predictions of victory, the supporters
of a dozen or more o her candidates
were declaring n positive conviction
that neither of the two leaders could
be nominated. The workers for John
W. Davis issued a statement saying
they now were completely convinced
their candidate would be the choice
of the convention. Some of the
friends of Senator Glass OF Virginia
said privately they expected to see
the field narrow down eventually to
TNa, lA l,ta ~
holding the final advantage. Heart
their candidate, the Alabama group
working for Senator Underwood re-
doubled their efforts with q conf
dence that they declared had been
heightened greatly by the develop
ments of the past few hours.
There also were renewed declara-
lions Of allegiance to .everal of these
who heretofore have been regarded
as likely to receive only compliment
tary votes on the early ballots.
Soon after the arrival of Governor
Charles w. Bryan of Nebraska he
delegates of that state held q meet
ing and announced they would stand
by the governor there was break
away from the leading candidates.
The Ohio delegation, one Of the lar
gest in the convention. was said to
have decided 1t would stand until the
end for James NJ. Cox. Taggart. back
ed by the delegates from Indiana.
said he had no second choice to
Senator Ralston.
Senator Underwood was the third
Of the active candidates to reach the
convention city, William G. McAdoo
and Alfred f. Smith having been on
the ground for several days in con-
slant consultation with their man.
ayers. During the day Mr.. Under
wood remained at the home Of a
friend in the suburbs. but both Mr..
McAdoo and Governor Smith. after
attending church, spent several hours
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