The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-06-28


After one of the most dramatic
sessions a resolutions committee ever
held. at the convening of which
members stood with heads bowed in
prayer as William Jennings Bryan,
with upraised hands, sought Divine
guidance, Chairman Cummings re,
ported to the convention that an
agreement had not yet been reached
on the Klan plank. A recess was
taken until o'clock this afternoon
Meantime Ed Moore of Ohio, lead
er Of the anti-Klan faction, is plan
ming a coup for this afternoon which
would unquestionably throw the
convention into a turmoil
Ohioan Aroused
Moore's temper has been aroused
to fever heat. If the committee still
is not ready to report at p. m. he
intends to demand the floor and will
move the committee be discharged
from further consideration of the
Klan plank. This will bring on i'm
mediate test vote.
Planks would then be submitted
from the floor. and for the first time
in American political history relig'
ious issues would be fought out in
open convention with all the attend
ant bitterness that invariably arises.
Everywhere temper is rising. The
factions are so far apart upon the
issue of the Klan that State dele
cations have started quarrelins
among themselves. Candidates are
afraid 10 make statements for fear
they may become so involved that
nomination possibilities will be
wrecked before balloting starts. Old
experienced leaders foresee even a
possible wrecking of the party upon
this question Of religious tolerance.
The McAdoo forces at noon were
claiming. mildly, that the outlook is
for the adoption of plank that will
not specifically name the Klan.
The outlook is most promising" ="
Judge Rockwell said, land the judg-
ment of the wiser men in the Demo
cratic party is about to prevail. By
that l mean that the platform Will
reflect a national party view, rather
than local view"
A conference of leaders was called
at noon at the Manhattan Club and
Governor Smith left his hotel to
attend it.
Long before Chairman Walsh
called the convention to order
this morning the leaders had
brought the word that the resolu-
tions committee was deadlCcked on
the Klan plank and a recess of the
convention would be necessary.
Leaders Worried
The party spokesmen We're obvi-
ously worried over the developments
Numerous conferences were under
way throughout the hall on the plat
form. After the invocation by the
Rev. John Roach Stratton, the view
point of Chairman Walsh was re-
vealed when he announced:
THE gravity of the situation
which confronts US suggests that We
have song as we'll as prayer"
Walsh then introduced Miss Ben
nett of Concord, n. H.. to lead in
the singing Of the Star Spangled
Banner.
Walsh then presented Chairman
Homer S Cummings of the COM
'nittee on resolutions.
''I realize that you are impatient
for our report" Cummings said. Il
think a word of explanation is due.
''In accordance with the custom of
our party, we proceeded to hold pub
lie meetings These meetings lasted
for many hours through Tuesday
and Wednesday. A subcommittee
was then appointed to prepare a
draft of the platform. That sub
committee has been in almost con-
tinuous session until a recent time
when it reported to the full commit
tee. 1t worked in perfect harmony.
1t was the desire of every one to
complete a platform which would be