The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-05-16
BY LOWELL MELLETT

BY LOWELL MELLETT
It's pretty hard to get any Demo
crat in Indiana to talk about any
presidential possibility except Sena-
tor Sam Ralston.
If" you say, "the time should
come in the convention that it ap-
peared impossible to nominate Sena-
tor Ralston, where then would the
Indiana vote go?''
'Ah," replies the Hoosier, ''you
don't understand the situation. You
see, Rs.lston is going to keep get
ting stronger with each ballot. He
won't start out with a great many,
of course-although we have aSSur-
ances from a surprising number of
delegates in other States that they
intend to vote for him-but he will
collect some votes on each ballot.
As the others begin killing one an
other off. the votes will pile up for
Ralston. So, you see, the time you
Asuggest will never GOMEZ
Maybe So
Eyes, but, for the sake of argu-
ment, suppose you admit that some
unforeseen contingency should arise
that will prevent his receiving the
nomination@"
Well, It takes long time to get
Tour Hoosier Democrat to entertain
his possibility.
'McAdoo has a lot of friends in
he State" he'll say rather indif
.erently. Some people like Under
wood" he'll say. though not so fire.
luently.
What about AL Smith?"
My gosh With the Ku-Klux
zlan on the rampage the way they
ire? No, we couldn't run Smith in
Indiana"
Taggart on Job
Tom Taggart doesn't feel much
different from the others. His long
experience with national conven-
ions enables him to see the posi-
,ility Of Ralston's defeat more cas-
ly. perhaps, than it does some
others, but, on the other hand, he
probably is keener to win for Raj
lton than any other person in the
United States. Taggart has made
lot of Vice Presidents, Governors
Ind Senators-though he smilingly
ienies the compliment-and it would
>e nice to round out his career by
making" President. For this
title job he has picked out man
whom the whole State respects.
y This is in keeping with his past his
DRY for the men he has made" in
dude such high class names as
Shively, Kern and Marshall.
No one considers Al Smith more
II a hopeless candidate in Indiana
han Taggart does. The objection
le raises to Smith is that Indiana
politically is dry and Smith is too
vet to carry the State. He doubtless
also gives full value to the opposi
ion Smith would draw from Demo
rats in the Indiana Khan.
Old Combination
Taggart's position, taken will
8rennan's in Illinois. makes it co
ain that the old New York. Illino-
indiana combination in Democrat
national affairs cannot function We
Early in the coming convention.
,annot function at all for Al Smith
Brennan has to play along for quite
awhile for Hearst. Indiana will stick
4 long time for Ralston. In the end.
Ralston is the only candidate from
he three States that can hope to
vim the support of the others. There
les Taggart's opportunity.
Ralston has lost the labor support
hat he took away from Beverage
n 1922 His Endorsement of Federal
Judge Anderson did that.
With Ralston out Of it, Taggart's
own choice undoubtedly would be
Underwood. Taggart is not inclined
% analyze a candidates principles
TOO closely on the question Of prog
tessiveism. To him Underwood is
hen able and orthodox Democrat, and
Esthat is enough. The fact that he
IS very acceptable to big business
rather counts in his favor with Tag
CART.
Taggart declares that inasmuch as
all delegates will be everlastingly for
Ralston, he is keeping his hands off
the selection of Indiana delegates.
Names suggested at this stage as
most likely to be named at the dis
trict caucuses include some known
to favor McAdoo. But, il Ralston
goes out and Underwood seems to
have a chance. it is not too much to
expect that Taggart will use his in
huence for the latter's nomination