The Washington times., 1924-06-30
Ill EFFECT Of
PARTY STRIFE
FEARED
Senator Says Bitterness In
Ranks Over Khan Issue May
Mean November Defeat
BY BURTON x. WHEELER,
q. s. Senator from Montana.
copyright. 1924. by International


tCopyright. 1924. by International
News Service.)
NEW YORK, June 30.-Tho flu
Snre Of the Democratic party Ia I'M
certain: the battle over the Khan
issue has left its III effects, and
the race for the nomination is in
Q chaotic state.
This was the situation today when
balloting started In Madison Square
Garden. There still remained a
great deal Of bitterness, engenderod
by the Khan fight on the conven-
ton floor Saturday night. There
were many leading Democrats who
felt It was impossible for the war
ring factions to get together.
The fact remained, however, that
unless peace; can be restored within
the ranks, the party win so down
~ defeat In November, losing not
only the Presidency but the Senate
and the House of Representatives,
which 1t was generally conceded the
Democrats would carry.
At this writing 1t would seem as
e the only candidate whom the
Democrats can nominate to carry
New York State would be AL Smith.
He could probably carry Counecti-
cut, Rhode Island, and possibly
Massachusetts, and New Jersey In
the East, but he would lose Indiana,
Ohio, Missouri. and practically the
whole northwest.
In fact, l believe the so-called
solid South would be smashed, If
he were nominated, driving Okla
honna, Texas. Georgia, Tennessee
and South Carolina into the G. o. p.
4 column or to a third party.
Would Help Third Party.
Indeed. If AL Smith were norni.
mated after the bitter fight In the
convention, it would add greatly to
the chances Of q third party VIC
tory. If the third party did not
win 1t at least would run a close
second to q Republican winner.
In view Of the fact that no other
candidate, save Smith, can carry
New York, It devolves upon the
Democratic convention to name q
progressive candidate who will ap-
peal to the Northwest and Middle
West II 1t has any idea of q No.
vember success. No other candi-
date can be elected. The pro-
gressives In this convention feel
the fight made here in New York
against McAdoo has materially
helped his chances of carrying the
country, should he be nominated.
They realize now the fight against
McAdoo was not because he &C.
cepted large retainers from an oil
client, but because he could not
be controlled by Wall Street IN
terests. McAdoo's chances for the
nomination are uncertain, but he
A ticket composed of McAdoo
for President and Senator Thomas
j. Walsh, my colleague, for Vice
President or with Walsh ana Sen.
ator Royal 8. Copeland Of New
York, as the nominees with either
at the head, would more nearly
meet the progressive demand than
any other mentioned to date.
The Democratic platform itself
ID the most progressive platform
ever turned out by q convention
Of either major party. 1t omitted,
however, to declare for the nomi-
nation Of Presidents by direct vote
OF the people and did not declare
for the initiative and referendum
or for the recall. Many delegates
felt that in view of the great pub.
! lie scandals in Washington, the
Democratic party should have
pledged itself to the recall Of faith
less public servants. The eonven-
ton, however, left these vital ques-
tons for q third party to deal
with, as the Republicans likewise
ignored them in the Cleveland
platform.
Thus far in the convention, &C.
Onomic issues have met with little
consideration outside the commit.
tee on resolutions. The convention
las been swept off it's feet with
religious and racial issues. AS /
have written before In these ar
ticles, this situation has been
brought about by the selfishneas
and greed Of a few would-be kings
OF the Democratic party, who are
thinking more Of controlling their
city and State machines than they
are Of the welfare of the Demo.
cratic party throughout the coun.
try. The party must curb these
selfish leaders u y expects success
= NovembeEs