Evening star., 1927-12-09
Jim REED SEEN SET
TO SUCCEED SELF
Senator's Aim Is Held No Bar
to Democratic Nomi-
nation in '28.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Senator James A. Reed of Missouri,
the most potential political figure in
that State today, will file for Senator
to succeed himself, according to fiat
declarations by intimate friends here
today.
At first blush, this would appear to
take the fighting Missourian out of
the race for the Democratic nomina-
ton for President. But it does not
necessarily do SO.
The prediction was made that the
Missouri delegation to the Democratic
national convention next year would
be instructed for Senator Reed, and
that the delegation would fight vigor-
ously for his nomination.
Aid for Smith Seen.
Efforts were made in some quarters
to draw from the proposal of Senator
Reeds friends to place him in the
Senate race an augury that Senator
Reed would announce his withdrawal
from the contest for the presidential
nomination, and throw his strength to
Gov. Alfred Z. Smith of New York.
to the. Senator, he has never an
nounced himself a candidate for Presi-
dent; that his candidacy has been put
forward by the Democratic State COM
mittee, and that that committee will
insist upon an instructed delegation
to the convention for Senator Reed.
1t has been clear for some time that
either Gov. Smith would benefit by
Reed strength in the convention, or
that failing the nomination of Gov.
Smith, Reed would benefit by Smith
strength. Obviously, unless Gov.
Smith should voluntarily withdraw
from the presidential race before the
balloting begins in the Democratic
convention, the New Yorker will go
into that convention with a large
group of delegates, estimated in some
quarters as high as 400. The drive
on from the moment the convention
convenes. Every available bit of
strength will be showed into the front
line as early as possible.
Must Have Voice.
, If this drive fails and it becomes
evident that the opposition to Gov.
Smith is too strong to be overcome,
then Gov. Smith and his friends must
IL
the selection of another candidate.
With the two-thirds rule in effect. as
it appears now it will be, the Smith
followers will be in a position to
block the nomination of any other
candidate.
The candidates. of Smith, Reed
and Gov. Ritchie of Maryland. nave
been connected in many minds, from
the mere fact that all are regarded
as liberals. If it becomes evident
/ that Smith cannot make the grade,
what more likely than that the Smith
votes should go to one of these other
candidates?
Senator Reed today is a dominating
/ figure in the Democratic party, partly
because of the fact he has been able
to carry Missouri, debatable State
! in recent years, and more especially
because of his prominent part In the
Democratic assaults upon excessive
expenditures in Republican primary
elections.
The chances for the Smith strength
| to flow to Senator Reed are excellent
| if Smith cannot have the nomination
| some of Smiths friends have admitted
But they insist, however, that the
governor will win the nomination.
Want Him to File.
Democratic followers of Senator
Reed of Missouri have been particular
! ly anxious for him to file for Senator
The senatorial primaries do not take
| place until August, after the Demo.
Gratis will have nominated their candi.
date for President. They are hopeful
that Senator Reed will be the presi.
Dental nominee. But if be should mo-
be, they want him on the ticket in an,
event for Senate, to succeed himself
They figure that he will add enormous
| strength to the ticket. They are anX
| ious to win the gubernatorial race and
Continued on Page 2. Column Sd
.