The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-07
McAdoo Stands Alone
 In Holding Delegates
Agreement Signed By Smith And Others F.
 Relieve Pledged Votes

was a muggy day and neither the con- ferees nor the hundred or so persons who waited for the completion of the conferences outside. Chairman Hulls rooms appeared able to get much en- thusiasm from the happenings.
 The initial meeting. got under way around 1 o'clock in the afternoon with Thomas Taggart of Indiana, taking a leading role. He took the floor and declared bluntly that the delegates were going broke and that if something were not done to relieve the situation ''chaos will reign" at the convention. As he talked, Taggart became more enthu- siastic, and as he urged the need for all favorite sons to set aside personal ann bition, his voice rose to such high pitch that he could be heard plainly in the hall through the closed doors.
 After Taggart finished there was desultory discussions for few minutes and the proposal was adopted. '
 Fight Rule Objection >s
 There was long discussion in the conferences today as well as last night over proposals that both the two-thirds rule and the unit rule be done away with to expedite nomination. The McAdoo forces fought every sugges- ton of the kind. @ ' +
 Some who attended the conference said that the general opinion appeared to be that neither rule could be abro- gated as long as abrogation required a two-thirds vote. A way was sought to change the rules through a majority vote of the convention, and the proposi- IA hot Aho lYrfs committee be instructed to bring an amendment to the rules providing for the abolition of the two structures,- the theory being that such an amendment would require majority only. Parlia- mentarians were a unit in holding that the convention has power to abrogate both rules, if the necessary two-thirds vote is to be had. There had been some expression of opinion previously that the convention could not overturn the unit rule, where the rule has been inn posed on delegations by state conven- tions. It was held today, however, that the national convention had abso- lute power to fix its own rules.
 The Smith men replied that those who had supported their candidate, never had been under an obligation, and could go elsewhere if they chose, and the McAdoo managers called a rally of their forces and reaffirned their determination not to withdraw from the field.
 Much of today was spent by Mir. Nc Adoo in conferences with Mir. Rockwell and his other advisers mapping out a plan to continue the fight, and draft ing suggestion. for a possible revision of convention procedure, .' be laid later before the conference of party leaders and campaign managers. Despite the failure of all attempts at yesterdays session to adopt a plan for elimination of the low man on each ballot and for other changes in the convention rules, it was apparent that the McAdoo sup porters still hoped l. bring forward plan that would expedite the work of the convention and at tae same time be of such character that the oppo- sition would accept +.
 The rally sof McAdoo delegates to- night. was said to have been called by McAdoo5 managers in the various state delegations and the candidates head quarters disavowed any connection with the plan. The purpose was l. re- assure Mir. McAdoo that he should con tinue the fight. Admission was linn ited strictly to McAdoo delegates and members of Mir. McAdoo's staff.
 Much Less Active
 In the Smith headquarters there was less activity, those in charge declaring their lines remained Gs they had been at the close of the balloting yesterday, and that no further steps were needed to consolidate the Smith delegates for any resumption of the balloting that might be necessary. A statement was issued declaring Governor Smith the only candidate who cou' win in the election this fall.
 One proposal which came before the conference of party leaders and candi- dates managers was that the lesser candidates withdraw for five ballots under an agreement that McAdoo and Smith also would retire if neither had the needed two-thirds at the end of the five-ballot run-off. The proposal came from the favorite son group and appeared to have its general approyai, but it failed of acceptance from the McAdoo and Smith managers and was dropped.
 At times the discussions proceeded with great bitterness and there many personal tilts between. party leaders on opposite sides of the fence. Mir. Rockwell repeatedly came under fire but he replied to all his critics by ar guing that it was ridiculous to suppose a candidate with almost majority of the convention vote should withdraw in favor of some favorite son whose strength is comparatively negligible.
 Approved By Bryan
 One of the bitterest rows in the pre- liminary stages of the conference was