Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-26
Coalition Move
Unavailing
So Far.
VICE PRESIDENT
CONTEST LOOMS
Robinson Leading
Field-Ritchie Of
fers Wet Plank.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN,
CT f~n--nsnar.SnN OF TIVE StaT.

hanner was in the ascendency when
the Democratic national convention
mat for IFS first session at noon today.
THE only question on the lips Of every
one in the vast throng gathered ~
Sam Houston Hall was, How soon WIZ
the presidential nomination be maoeE
Even the die-hard opponents OF the
New York governor had little hope OF
stopping him. His victory was expected
on the first. second or third ballot
The first session of the convention
was brief. The keynote speech OF Ciauoe
@. Bowers temporary chairman vas NaS
postponed until meeting az t'oo
O'Clock tonight, in oTcer 70 opSaA
wider radio audience.
THE effect of this delay may be 10
nold up the convention for day longer.
The standing committees on Fesolu-
3sors. credentials. permanent ORGANIZE
xsa,, and rules were not appointed ana
~Su not be so appointed until tonlgnt.
Ert a few of the delegates were diSap-
paiated when Chairman Clem Shaver
declared the convention adjourned at
12:4l om following an address OF VEL
sonle BIZ Mayor Holcoulbe OF houston
Efforts OF the anti-Smith Leaders 10
form a real coalition which mlgnt ue
I'd the convention until a compromise
candidate becomes necessary have so
far proved unavailing.
The Jim Reed standard. reared
with dry" tinge at the eleventh nour,
has failed to attract many OF the OPP
ponents CT Smith in the South Some
Of them would prefer Smith 70 Reed II
they have to take one or the other.
Platform Fight Looms.
Two reaI contests may yet develop In
this convertiOn-the first over the plat
form and the second over q vice presi-
dental candidate Prohibition today
holds its threat over the Democrats.
seeking harmony. -Four years ago the
big platform rows IN the Madison
Square Garden convention came over
the religious freedom plank and the
League Of Nations Neither of these
planks has yet put In real appear
2nce at this convention. But many
planks dealing with the wet and dry
issue have been submitted for consid-
Grafton of the conventions resolutions
committee.
The Smith band wagon received an
other forward shove when six Of the
Virginia delegation announced they would
vote for Gov. Smith on the first ballot.
Eothing. they say. can hold them. More
of the delegation vii so TO the New
Yorker later, II there is more than Cne
ballot
senator Reeds attempt to rally the
GFsx behind him so as TO halt Smith has
caused a real disturbance among EN-
bcrx Of the Missouri delegation pledged
70 Reed. The ST. Louis and Kansas
City members, or some Of them are up
in arms because Reed has In his state
nent sounded note that Is drier than
they like 70 hear.
Reed. on the other hand, Is reported
80 be angeTed because he believes some
of the delegates pledged 10 him have
had Al Smith in the back Of their heads
for some time.
The Alabama delegation will not at any
stage of the game vote for Al Smith
On the first ballot the understanding
IS il viii split many ways, Q Of is votes
will 60 10 George. 8 TO Hull. TO Dona-
71ev Of Ohio. 4 TO Jones of Texas and 2
20 WooIien OF Indiana. There viii be
no "a votes for Oscar Underwood" as
n Madison Square Garden four years
ego-
Has TEo-FoId Purpose.
The interjection Of Donahey's name
Ass a two-fold purpose. The Ohio in
etyuctsons keep the delegation in line
for an Ohio maia as long as one Is oe-
ing voted for in the convention. The
Alaoanlaus wish to prevent the dele
cation shifting 70 Smith on an early
ballot.
Alabama viii yield to Georgia under
xaYeseYt plans. when the roll Is called
Tor presidential nominations SO that
senator George o. Georgia is to be the
FIRST candidate formally placed In noni-
nation.
Arizona, next Oh the list, win yield TO
Eew York 10 nominate Al Smith.
uxyafF3H fsA the n nECF%~
szry, but Arizona comes just ahead Of
Il on The list Of States.
II begins 10 look strongly as though
The ticket would be Smith Of New
Tork and Robinson Of Arkansas. The
f1en1ocratic leader Of the Senate is al
ready slated for permanent chairman
OF the convention. His delegation Is
likely 10 crack the situation vide open
s,n the first ballot for President by yOt-
sng in votes for Smith and / against
Vice presidential candidates are
Dlenttgul. from the South and from tht
west. The Democrats must decide u
which section they desire 10 turn for z
Nee0ud-plsee man. II Al Smith Is 70 D'
rl3e presidential nominee. Senator Jo'
seDh T Robinson Of Arkansas. Demo
rfstic leader Of the Senate, slated u
maeid the gaYei a. permanent chairman
NJ the convention. IL leading In the tall
m iS early 10 make final predictions
Eaweger. Hull Of Tennessee has man.
S,arkerg W00iIen Of Indiana, kendrici
81 wyoming. Rainey Of Illinois, Tnomp
Son of Illinois and half a dozen others
snciudiug genator Reed Of Missouri, ar
mentioned as possibilities.
The chances seem 10 be the cnoic
sail 20 90 a dry IN any event
E,It when Mr.. Bowers, the TEN
&,oyary chairmsn Of the convention
Sefs under way. the Republican paft
~say expect 10 be unmercifuily caSti
rafed and the Democrats 10 be urge
~ RET back TO the principles of JeHef
son and Jackson IN the coming cam
Daign. The purpose Of holding the ore
Ror back until night Is twofold FRS
3, give opportunity for the transmits
gso,a Of the keynote speech over Ia
radio 10 millions Of listeners. who ma
naye more time TO hear II az night tfai
n ti,e middle OF the day. The other U
@slow the delegates 10 hear the speecl
srnaer the cooler conditions existing u
NmIston afier the s,aa goes down.
\ The credentials committee mss Dni on
sl,<,uftsasaad on Page 8, Column ~