Evening star., 1924-06-25
PLATFORM ISSUES
NEARING SOLUTION
Agreement on KIan Plank in
Sight and Wet Controversy
Less Troublesome.
RALST0N BOOM GROWING
Davis Considered Out of Race by
Disclosure of Connections
With Standard Oil.
RALST0N BOOM GROWING
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN,
NEW YORK, June 25.-William
Gibbs McAdoo is holding his lines.
Gov. Al Smith of New York is
forming more cohesive organization
hourly and working in combination
with several "favorite son" delega-
tions.'
John W. Davis, leader of the dark
horses and second choice of most of
the delegates of the convention, has
been almost irreparably hurt by the
disclosure that he is an attorney for
the Standard Oil Company.
Senator Ralston TO Indiana, al
though criticized as being too old
to make the strenuous race ahead
is considered the least objection
able of the candidates offered and
Tom Taggart is maneuvering him
gradually into position for COM
promise.
McAdoo Delegates Stick.
Until the McAdoo delegates have
been definitely driven away from
the former Secretary of the Treas
ury, the convention will remain
deadlocked Indefinitely and talk of
dark horses is premature: And the
This is the situation on the second
day of the Democratic national con-
vention so far as candidates. are con-
cerned. but there are other troubles
and controversies almost as signifi-
cant and vexing for the delegates.
1t is incredible, for instance. that
there should be a row in a Demo-
cratic convention over the league of
nations issue, especially after the re-
markable demonstration which greet
cd Wnndr0W
name in the opening session. but it
is true nevertheless. The resolutions
committee is still holding open hear
ings before going into executive ses-
sion, but the friends of the league
are growing more and more appre
hensive every minute that the COM
mittee may decide to Straddle the
question and adopt something vague
declaration for American participa-
tion in the league of nations.
League Issue Disturbing.
There is every likelihood that un-
less the platform plank is unequiy-
ocal on this subject the fight
will be carried to the floor of the
convention. The origin of the timid-
ity here, however. is interesting.
There are many states where the
Democrats who left the party in 1920
on the league issue have not re-
turned. In their anxiety to win. even
stanch adherents of the league are
saying there is no use deliberately
antagonizing large groups of voters.
In opposition to this line of reason
ing is the oft-repeated argument of
the pro-leaguers that sentiment has
swung considerably since 1920, and
that even the Republican convention
at Cleveland was not as hostile to CO.
operation with Europe as was the
case in 1920.
The McAdoo managers, who IL Woulo
be thought would lead the fight for
the league of nations, are conspicu-
ously silent. preferring to have the
issue made by others. Men like New:
ton D. Baker and Carter Glass will
not let it slumber. and are sure to in
sist on a plank favorable to the
league. Mr.. McAdoo's position is that
the league should be entered by the
United States only after a national
referendum. William Jennings Bryan
favors. the same thing.
Kan Plank Near Acceptance.
On the Ku Klux Klan plank agree
ment seems to be in sight, and there
is much less controversy about the
question than there was
four years ago. The platform Will De
brought in by the resolutions COM
mittee on Thursday, but a debate on
final decision subject to balloting on
specific planks by the convention It
self.
Most of the opposition to McAdoo
here has developed from the ku
Klux Klan issue, and his supporters
are anxious to have the platform
adopted so that he can publicly say
he stands on the plank therein. This
NAV dispose Of much Of the antago-
nism he has encountered, though.
when that is out Of the way, revival
Of the oil issue would not be sur
prising.
Dark Horses Hopeful.
The arguments of the McAdoo peo-
nile on this phase Of their campaign
here are interesting. The keynote
speech of Senator Pat Harrison point
ed with pride to the record Of the
administration in having
a no-scandal record in eight years of
power. So also do the friends of NC
Adoo contend that in five years and
a half serving as Secretary OF the
Treasury and later as director gen
eral Of railroads, handling $27,0o0,-
100000, not single act can be
pointed out as dishonest or improper
in his official record.
1t is the principal answer made
now by the McAdoo men and It VIII
be their line of defense if he is nomf-
mated. But it has weakness
many of the delegates are being
urged to nominate some one VINO
will not have to be on the defensive
from the start. And that's Whe1e
the dark horses hold their heads
high with hope.
Copyright, 1924)