The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-31
DEMOCRATS SHY
 AT BRYAN'S FIGHT ON DEFENSE DAY
Party To Ignore Question As A Possible Cam.
 paign Issue
By THOMAS L- STOKES I.eaSed Wire to The Age-Heraldl


 WASHINGTON. July Ex-Governor Bryan of Nebraska, democratic vice presidential candidate. has created a nationwide stir by his opposition to the principle of Mobilization Day, Sep tember 12. but his party will decline to be drawn into the controversy and will avoid making an issue of this move of the administration.
 Bryan, from all indications, would like for his lead to be followed by the party. So would some other. democrats. Governor Sweet, of Colorado, generally termed as a progressive democrat, has announced that he will not comply with the war departments request for mobilization of the national guard, go- ing step further than Bryan, who has consented to order the national guard to the cOlors on September 12-
 Will Ignore Question
 But the democratic party, as party, will merely ignore the question as far learned. despite the opinion expressed as making it an issue is concerned, it is by the vice presidential candidate. As far as is known, Governor Bryan con- suited none of the party leaders on this question, but acted on his own initiative. The party will take the po- Sition that he acted in his capacity as governor, and was not speaking for it.
 An idea of the position to be taken by the democratic leaders generally can be gained from the view of Senator Robinson of Arkansas, minority floor leader in the Senate, who was one of the dark horse candidates at the con ventiOn in New York, and has had a prominent part in shaping party policies Robinson said Wednesday that he cannot find anything un- partiOtic or harmful in the proper Ob- servance of Defense Day"
 Robinson FayOrs Plan
 While am a firm believer in the measures to promote international peace and regard the promotion of good will among the nations as of greatest importance, so long as present world conditions exist my personal view is that it is pOrper to make adequate pro- vision for national safety and that 1t Is consistent and not unwise to afford our citizens opportunity for military training" Robinson said.
 .-I know there is a growing senti- ment in this country against war and I subscribe to it heartily; but until sen- timent in other countries supports and makes effective a program for disarm- ament. I cannot find anything un- patriotic or harmful m the proper Ob- servanee of Defense Day"
 Rumble To Persist
 4 rumble raised by Bryan's state ment, however, is not going to die down sOOn- It IS certain that some of the La Toilette campaigners will give 1t voice A resolution cOndemning mObli- zatiOn day was adopted in a dramatic moment at the La Toilette convention in Cleveland. as the result of a stir ring appeal from a student of the Uni versity of Chicago.
 The talk which has arisen on all sides as a-resuIt of Bryan's move, and the possibility of it being an issue, in- dicates clearly the present situation as to campaign issues. While both demo- crats and independents, who are on the offensive, have brought forward a num- ber of counts against the administra- tiOn. there has been as yet no issue raised which has seemed to find a wide popular appeal Up to the pres ent it has been a scatter-hre, with no definite specialization.