The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-23
BAT TIE ON
FLl)0R|S
SEEN
Advocates at Conference Make
Threats-Ku KIux Com
promise Is Expected
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.

BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.
NEW YORK, June 23.--ThA
Democratic presidential campaign
this fall will be fought with the
oil scandals, official corruption and
agriculture relief, the main issues
under terms Of a tentative platform
adopted here today by an unofficial
group Of nationally known Demo
cratic leaders.
The document, prepared in ad-
vance Of the national convention
will be submitted to the conven-
lions committee on resolutions to-
morrow with indications that few
changes will be made by the official
platform. builders.
The conferees, led by Cordell
Hull, Democratic national chairman
and Homer T. Cummings, chairman
Of the resolutions committee, reached
q decision to keep the league Of ma.
tions out Of the coming campaign
as q national issue and to leave
the final verdict on q Ku Klux
Khan plank to the convention itself.
On all other issues the conferees
were virtually unanimous In their
recommendations.
Struggle Over League.
The verdict to ignore the League
as a national issue was reached
after a bitter factional row between
the conferees In secret session.
The decision, however, followed
declarations by Western spokesman
who formerly Endorsed the League,
that its revival would lose the West
to the Democrats.
Supporters Of q League, plank, in.
Guiding new proposal for AIneri-
can adherence, however, served
notice they would carry their fight
into the COMMITTEES on resolutions.
and II defeated there, on to the
floor Of the convention.
This fight will be led by Newton
D. Baker and Senator Carter Glass,
both Cabinet members under for
mAr President Wilson.
It was reported that Baker and
Glass were ready to use a platform
memorandum, prepared by Mr.. Will
son before his death. to influence
the convention. In this memoran-
dunn, the former President was said
to have urged an outright appeal to
the Democratic party to again stand
by the League as a national issue.
The League issue, incidentally,
provoked a "split" in the ranks Of
the unofficial platform builders.
1t was learned that Senator Glass,
who was chairman Of the platform
committee four years ago, walked
out" Of the sessions after his league
recommendations were rejected.
It was also said Glass would re-
fuse to serve upon the committee
on resolutions this year, so that he
can lead fight on the floor Of the
convention for Endorsement Of the
league.
The Ku Klux Khan issue also pro.
voked heated discussions in the
unofficial sessions.
Khan Plank Delayed.
A small group, representing New
York and Illinois, demanded the in
Clusion Of plank directly denounc.
ing the Khan by name.
This proposal was rejected by the
conferees, but tentative approval
was given to a plank declaring in
favor Of constitutional guarantees
for freedom of speech" and IRE.
ligious liberties"
This plank, which contained a
clause declaring for Continued
separation Of the State and church,"
O4O A1OI I1lCCL Will sup"
port, and a "gentlemans agree
ment" was reached to let the full
committee on resolutions write its
own Klan plank.
There were Indications too that
the anti.klan group would carry
it's fight against the Khan into
the convention itself II defeated
before the resolutions committee.
The conferees, nevertheless decided
that to openly condemn the khan
would be- to convict 1t Of treason
without the constitutional guaran-
tee OF a trial by due process Of
law"
Honesty" Chief Plank.
The chief plank in the tentative
draft was one dealing with "hon-
esty in government" and bitterly
laying the Republican administra.
ton for the Senate scandal.
The agricultural plank, upon
which the Democrats hope to win
the west. promises a reduction in
freight rates with the lowest rates
given to bulky farm products,
easier Federal credit facilities and
steps towards a revival Of Euro
pean markets.
AS GA o0AAIAOudl AKI1CUlCUT0l
remedy the plank declared for a
complete revision of the Fordney.
McCumber tariff law.
A railroad plank was approved
by the unofficial conferees declar.
Ing for a reorganization Of the
freight rate structure.
This would be accomplished bv
charging lower rates on cheap
selling bulky raw materials and
higher rates on concentrated manu-.
featured articles. The Esch. Cum.
minis law also was condemned as a
failure and It's repeal or amend.
ment urged.
Only Two Contests Likely.
The tentative draft, as now pre.
pared. must in turn be submitted
to the committee on resolutions
which will be organized tomorrow.
After the official platflm makers
act, 1t must be submitted to the
convention itself for final approval.
With the exception of the league
and khan issues, all other planks
undoubtedly will be finally written
by the committee.
SSSSseSsSeSs@ $1,000