Evening star., 1924-06-24
DELEGATES FAVOR
SMITH PROPOSAL
Think Well of Idea That Can
didates Show Wares Be-
fore Convention.
cox ONLY ABSENTEE
All Other Nomination Seekers
Could Meet Suggestion of
New York Governor.
cox ONLY ABSENTEE
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.

Smiths proposal that all of the aspi-
rants for the Democratic presidential
nomination stand up before the con-
vention and show themselves and give
demonstration of their wares has
been taken seriously by more than a
handful of the delegates. Not that
they have any idea the proposed pres
idential parade can be made a pos
sibility this year. but they regard the
suggestion as logical outcome OF
the quadrennial scramble for the old
party nominations.
Four years ago at Chicago all of
the principal contenders for the Re-
publican crowd were on the scene of
battle directing their own forces.
There was Gen. Wood and Gov. Low
den and Senator Harding and Hiram
Johnson-all four OF 'em.
All But Cox Present.
1t is the same way this year with
the Democrats. Nearly all OF the con-
the convention is being held in the
home town of two OF the principals,
AL Smith and John w. Davis. New
York also used to be the home Of Mr..
now that he is back here from Cali
fornia. In addition to these Senator
Underwood is here and Senator Car
ter Glass and Gov. Bryan and Gov.
or more of additional dark horses.
Former Gov. Cox of Ohio, urged to
come on even since convention week
began. has declined once moreNto be
drawn into the uelee.
1t certainly would add dramatical-
ly to the interest of q national con-
vention If a rule should be adopted
requiring all the aSpirants to present
themselves before the delegates. The
into a sort of joint debate with some
1.09S judges sitting out in front!
Whatever a man might have of per-
sonality, of forensic power, of logi-
cal argument. would come to the
front and aid him in his quest. 1t
might even be provided that the as
piring sons Of the Democracy or Of
the G. o. P, as the case might be,
would have to answer certain num-
ber of questions which might be pro-.
pounded to them. OF course. the pro-
ceedings might take on the nature
of a Kilkenny affair before they
were concluded, but the delegates and
visitors surely would have good
time while it lasted.
Man No Longer Sought.
Apparently there no longer is an
overwhelming notion that the highest
seek the man. The presidency has
become a plum to be fought fora
case of every man for himself and
the devil take the hindmost.
tryouts at a Jefferson day dinner in
Washington. AS a matter Of fact,
there were two dinners and each
speaker had to do double turn.
Gov. Cox was one of the starters
and when the convention came along
q ha
pertinent was not repeated.
That a personal appearance before
the convention would be a good thing
for many of the aspirants goes with
out saying. History holds more than
one instance of a man rising actually
from the convention floor to the NOM
ination. Mr.. William Jennings Bry-
ans experience was not without prec-
edent.
Take the case Of Senator Samuel
Ralston of Indiana, for instance. A
great many stories have been going
the rounds about the senator's "in-
firm old age and his general weak
senator could be here and speak to
the convention he would show 'em.
He is one of the finest physical types
in the Senate and can do as hard a
days work as any man twenty years
his junior.
Since the age of the senator has
been brought into so much question.
1t might be we'll to let him speak for
himself. His own brief autobiog-
gives the date Of his birth as Decem-
Der I. 1857. He is, therefore, in his
sixty-seventh year.
Gov. AL Smith has been smoked
out" at last by the prohibitionists-
He is literally and truly the wet
test aspitant whose claims are be-
ing pressed before the convention
He goes down to the ocean every
the briny while the delegates are
milling around the city hotels and
suffering from the heat Pictures of
the governor 'in the drink" are be-
ing circulated.
The campaign being waged here by
Mr.. McAdoo is reminiscent or the
Hiram johnson fight at Chicago In
1920. Senator Johnson arrived on the
scene dramatically to take charge OF
delegates and admirers numerous
times from hotel balcony and at in
door gatherings. He exhorted his
hearers to stand fast to their colors'
to pay no attention to reports IN tne
newspapers and to strike down the
ruption. Senator Johnson. like MT.
McAdoo, has trekked east from Cali
fornia. Mr.. McAdoo is making the
same sort of speeches, the same sort
of appeal today. But the McAdoo foi-
lowers are confident their delegates
who were pledged to Hiram and then
voted for Harding. Senator johnson
never recovered from the bitterness
of that fight.
An immense picture of John W.
Davis at the entrance to the lobby or
the Waldorf is attracting the admir-
ing attention of the woman delegates
and visitors. The former am6Assa-
dor to Great Britain is one OF the
handsomest, il not the handsomest
man in the big contest
He certainly has q fne face,
sighed one of the fair visitors, as her
male escort somewhat grumy sald'
"Oh, come along!"
William Jennings Bryan, rushing
about the Waldorf corridors. found
himself at one time almost within
the portals of the Underwood boom.
Mr.. Bryan and the senior senator
a couple of strange bull dogs. When
the commoner realized where his un-
wary feet had almost taken him, he
did regular Charley Chaplin skid
persons observed his discontinue.
Hope there are no reporters pres
ent," smiled the Nebraska Floridan.
But, of course, there were.
Newton D. Baker, delegate from
Ohio, nominator of James M Cox
and commonly regarded as one of the
darker horses. in the race himself,
faced a room full of reporters on his
arrival with the same calm self
possession that he used to show at
Washington. when he was Secretary
of War. Mr.. Baker has a ready wit
and a mind that never waits or