Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-20
CLAIMS OF McADOO FOLLOWERS
AND CONFIDENCE OF SMITH MEN
FEATURES OF DEMOCRATIC MEET

New ork, June 19-The maneuyer-
ings and congitations OF the assemb-
ling leaders Of the Democratic party
are entering upon the usual pre-con-
vention stage Of feverish conjecture,
bewildering claims and general I'M
certainty.
With the two dominating candi-
dates for the presidency in active
charge of their convention forces, and
with other first rates In party
councils arriving hourly, the domin-
ant note still Is one " almost uni
versal speculation over the outcome
Of the coming contest over men and
measures
Out of the maze of talk and the
matching of opinions there is emery
ing only the faint outline of a con-
vention city's political skyline. Pre-
eminent for the moment, perhaps,
are the mounting claims Of the Nc
Adoo men and the enthusiasm and
apparent confidence OF the followers
OF AL Smith. Looming in the back
ground however. ara the other cam
dtdates whose sponsors appear conf
dent that in the end the nomination
of dark horse will break up a long
and spectacular deadlock.
Rising into the picture, too, is the
threat OF bitter fight over abandon
ment of the traditional Party rule
requiring tWo-thirds OF the conven-
ton vote to nominate. while around
he fringes OF the big convention tent
rival platform builders are disputing
declarations on prohibition. foreign
policy and the ku kluX Khan.
Outwardly. at least, the supporters
of William G. McAdoo are making
the greatest show of confidence over
the outcome of the balloting for
president.
1t Is plain enough that II the lead
ers all are to be eliminated by pro-
longed deadlock, the choice of a COM
promise candidate must wait until
the temper of the convention Itself
has been assessed after the early
balloting. The lobby talk is alive
with the names of possible dark
horses and rumors Of shift TO this
or that favorite son fly thick where
ever a knot of delegates gather for
moments conversation but those
in the inner circle Of party leader
ship agree that the time has not
yet come to pick u winner.
SO far as the physical arrange
ments for the convention are con-
cerned, little remains TO be done. In
that respect, the great quadrennial
gathering is much further advanced
than many of the leaders expected it
to be five days after the fall of the
Gavel. The national committee is to
meet Saturday to give perfunctory
approval to the pre- convention ar
arrangements or ITS sub committee but
there probably will be no other busi-
ness before it. There is only one
threat OF a contest over convention
seats. involving two delegates from
Minnesota, but there is no certainty
tint even that will materializc.
The seating plans for the conven-
! ton In Madison Square Garden are
complete. and the tickets for Tues
DAYS opening session have been al
| !Dtted. The New York police have
perfected plans to throw three sep
arate cordons about the garden to
handle what probably will be taa
| larSes! crowd that ever congregated
in the neighborhood OF convention
hall. The chaplains have been en-
gagged. the bands hired, the radio Hp-
paratus doubly tested. and everything
Is set and ready to 60.