The Washington times., 1924-06-21
ARE
SPLIT ON KHAN
ANDLEAGUE
Fight in Committee Likely to
Be Carried to Floor Of
N. Y. Convention
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON.
international News Service.

international News Service.
NEW YORK, June 21.-Shoals Of
threatened the Demo.
cratic ship Of state today when a
group Of national leaders, preparing
an unofficial platform. reported a
decided party break over the
League OF Nations and Ku Klux
Khan issues.
Although the ultimate verdict un-
doubleday Will come from the con-
vention itself, preliminary confer.
ences indicated a preponderance of
sentiment for a direct denunciation
OF the khan and a. renewed endorse.
ment Of the League Of Nations. Both
issues, however, were bitterly op.
posed by a minority.
The party leaders were divided
into three. groups. One faction de-
manded the party go strongly on
record on both issues while a sec
ond proposed to ignore the league
issue while declaring war on the
khan. The minority urged that
both issues be passed over lightly.
The anti-klan plank was cham.
pioned by George e. Brennan,
Illinois leader. but 1t won endorse.
ment from the combined followings
of Governor Alfred Smith of New
York and Senator Oscar w. Under.
wood Of Alabama. Brennan Indi.
Gated that II the plank were not
adopted in committee, he would
carry his fight to the floor Of the
convention.
Opposed By McAdoo Forces.
The forces OF William g. Nc
Adoo opposed the khan condemna.
tion. The McAdoo following urged
that the party stand for constitu-
tional guarantees with a strong
law enforcement plank, but with.
out specific mention Of the khan.
This viewpoint was shared by the
Texas and Georgia delegations,
both of which comprised khan
members.
While the khan scrap over
Swallowed all other work of the
unofficial platform makers, the pro-
posed league plank provoked a
storm of factional dissensions.
Close personal friends of the late
President Wilson, including Sena-
tor Carter Glass Of Virginia, former
Gilbert NJ. Hitchcock of
Nebraska, Norman n. Davis, for
mer Assistant Secretary of State,
and Bernard Baruch, Of New York,
fought for a redeclaratlon In favor
Of the league.
The Brennan, Al Smith and a /
large part of the McAdoo follow
ings opposed this move, contending
-
expected November success by re.
wing q losing ISSUE" They
urged adoption of a plank pledging
the party to promote such inter.
national relations as will open the
worlds markets to American com.
merce."
While the pro-leaguers were In a
majority In the unofficial confer
ences, there was a possibility the
League issue might be carried to
the convention for decision.
Three PIanI1s Ready.
Three Of the planks have been
completed, subject to confirmation
by the official platform committee.
These related to the Washington
scandals, to the tariff and fiscal
policies. The scandal plank con.
tanned bitter condemnation of al
legged Republican corruption. a
promise to clean house." and a
pledge to mete out criminal punish
ment to wrong.doers.
A further reduction Of taxes fea.
tured the fiscal plank. In 1t the
party, would pat itself on the back
for its work in enacting the recent
slash in taxes, promise further re-
auctions and declare in favor Of
general Government economy. The
tariff plank would promise a com.
plete revision Of the Fordney.Mc-
Cumber tariff law.
The agriculture and railroad
planks, both Of which viii be pushed
into major positions in the platform,
were under discussion in today's
conferences. Preliminary drafts,
which arrayed the party against
the Esch-C ummins act, in favor Of
reduced freight rates and with a
full sum of promised support to the
farmers, were being subjected to
two planlSs, 1t was said, win not
be completed until the committee
on resolutions meets.
Strong for Dry Law
other unofficial planks included a
denunciation Of the Republican Ad-
ministration of the Veterans Bureau
with a promise to correct conditions
and clean house" generally;
declaration in favor of child labor
and minimum wage laws and the
creation Of a new labor tribunal
for the adjustment of industrial
disputes, but with an open cham
pioning for the living wage" and
proper living conditions"
A majority Of the conferees also
were agreed upon a strong prohibit
ton enforcement plank, specifically
naming the dry law and calling for
its observance. This proposal met
with general favor. even from
number Of known wet leaders. It's
adoption was virtually assured.
While the conferences were purely
unofficial, the completed recommen.
dations undoubtedly will form tho
backbone of the Democratic plat.
form because of the prominence oe
the men participating in the ses.
sions. These included Cordell Hull,
national chairman: Homer 8, Cum.
mings, slated as chairman of the
platform committee: Norman z.
Mack, Of Buffalo; Finish j. Garrett,