Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-18
Politics at Large
BY G.. Gould Lincoln.

cation OF the twothirds rule by which
his party's national conventions select
presidential nominees. is meeting OPP
position Of considerable proportions.
1t was recently announced that
great preponderance Of the members
of the national committee who had
replied to Mr.. Herrfng's question
naire regarding the two-thirds rule
| favored it's relegation to the discard
and the adoption Of majority rule.
| But it now appears that less than a
| majority of the 10S members of the
COMMITTEES have replied in favor Of the
abrogation, and that a very consider
able number Of the committee men
and women have not answered at all.
This does not look so hopeful for
abrogation.
As a matter Of fact. there are many
| members Of the Democratic national
| committee who do not wish to see
either Gov. AL Smith or William Gibbs
McAdoo nominated in 1928. They fear
that the nomination of either Of these
candidates-for it is well understood
today they are candidates-would re-
suit in disrupting the party along
racial and religious lines. the plung-
ing Of the old party into an abyss far
deeper even than that in which 1t fell
during and after the Democratic ma
tional convention in 1924.
With the two-thirds rule in opera
ton. these Democratic committeeman
figure they can stop the nomination
OF either Smith or McAdoo. They
look upon the rule as the possible
savior of the party-just as it was
held to be responsible for It's disrup-
ton two years ago.
In the list OF the committeeman
who favor the abrogation of the two
thirds rule are both Smith and McAdoo
supporters. Indeed, Mr.. Herring was
strong McAdoo man, and he started
the movement last Winter for the alb
rosation Of the two-thirds rule. and
Norman Mack. New York's commit
teeman, Joined with him Immediately.
Probably the Smith men and the Nc
Adoo men realize, too, that unless the
wo-thirds rule goes by the board
their candidates have little show Of
being nominated in 1923.
Democratic leaders are saying little
about presidential candidates just
now. But they are exercised in their
minds AZ to how they are to sdetrack
Smith and McAdOO. One thing Is GER
tain, those who wish to eliminate the
New York Governor and the former
Secretary Of the Treasury--once call;
ed the Wilson crown prince-are not
planning to support the abrogation
Of the two thirds rule.
\ y 4
Out in California. McAdoos State
by adoption, the McAdoo forces are
already moving. They see in the selec-
ton of Isfdore 3. Dockweiler as the
Democratic candidate for the Senate
by some Of the party leaders of the
State an effort to forestall McAdoo,
and to wiring control of the party and
the State delegation to the next ma =
tional convention from McAdoo and
his friends. Dockweier is the Demo
cratic national committeeman for Cali
fornia. The McAdoo supporters, TO
checkmate this move by the anti
McAdoo forces in the State, have put
forward John B. Elliott Of Los An
geles. collector Of customs in that city
during the Wilson administration, in
opposition to Dockweiler for the sena
torial nomination. The primaries are
August 81.
Elliott in statement soon after his
candidacy was announced charged
that the AL Smith forces and Tam
many were seeking to invade Califor-
MIA and gain control of the Demo-
cratic organization. Whether Dock
weller Is really a Smith man is still
matter of conjecture. But at lea st
he Is not regarded now as friendly to
McAdoo. His selection came when It
became evident that former Senator
James D. Phelan, regarded as a. Smith
man, did not wish to be a ca ndidat q
for the nomination. Phelan was re-
garded as the Democrats best bet in
the race to defeat Senator Shortridge.
or whomever the Republicans nomi-
nate. at the election next November.
The chances for Republican success
in the Senate race in California still
appear to be very good.
There Is a real contest in both
parties for the senatorial nomination
in Colorado this year. The primaries
are set for September H. The seat
of Senator Means, Republica n, is the
prize. At convention or assembly
Of the Democrats, held within the last
few days. four men were designated to
run in the primaries. Paul Prosser,
an attorney of Denver. received the
highest vote in the assembly, 5691a
votes. Former Gov. Sweet was sec
ond, with 2792 votes: Harry L.
Lubers was third, with 1913 votes. and
Frank j. Hayes, former president of
the United Mine Workers of America
fourth. with 121 votes. The vote of
the assembly does not settle the Demo
cratic race for the senatorial nOmina-
ton. But it Is q straw to tell which
way the wind blows. Prosser is re-
garded as a strong ca ndidate and the
likely selection Of the party at the
primary.
On the Republican side of the fence
two candidates will enter the sena
torial prima ries. Senator Rice w
Means. who Is seeking to succeed him
self. and Charles l.. Waterman. Sen
ator Means has been active during his
service in Washington. AS a member
OF the Senate judiciary committee he
has had plenty of work to do. He was
selected chairman of the subcommittee
which conducted the wet and dry hear
ings last Winter.
The ku Klux Khan is PLAYING it's
part in the senatorial contests in Colo.
radon both parties, but particularly
in the Republican. Senator Means
was recognized as the Khan ca ndidate
two years ago. There have been
claims that the orga MIA ton Is not so
strong politically as it was then, and
there have been dissensions among
the klansmen themselves. But Sen
ator Means. at this time, looks to be
a candidate both for denomination and
reelection. The Democrats. insist
they have an excellent chance to pick
up seat in the Colorado fight, how
ever.
/ On September the political fate of
Senator Irvine l.. Lenroot will be set.
tied in Wisconsin. The senior Senator
from the Badger State Is facing al
most desperate odds in his effort to
obtain denomination. Against him is
ranged the strength of the old La Fol
lette organization. Gov. John Blaine
La Toilette man. is seeking the
nomination against him. Any candi
date who has to face the organization
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