Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-26
DRYS CLAIM HELP
/. FROM BACK HOME
Assert DeIuge of MESSAGES
Reaches Houston Pro.
testing Smith.
BY FRANCIS M. STEPHENSON,
Associated Press stan Writer.


HOUSTON, June 26-Battlins TO
the end of the road" the thin line of
anti-Smtth forces were counting today
on a reaction back home" to stiffen
the wavering ranks threatening to decide
the issue for the New York governor in
the Democratic convention.
1t has developed that part of the
strategy of the Southern drys has been
a campaign with home folks, and they
insist there has been Veritable deluge
OF kilograms pouring in during the last
Smith
At the same time, Senator Reed Of
Missouri is going ahead with his drive,
as ne promised, and HIS modest room
high up in the Rice Hotel continues to
be the center OK many conference dur
ing the last ditch battle.
Center on Oklahoma.
Reed and his friends are centering
their attention on Oklahoma. always
counted by them as their State, which
has delayed until tomorrow its decision
ON how to cast its first vote. Both
Smith and Reed men on this outpost
delegation of the Southern States were
claiming victory today. The 20 votes
are bound by the majority under the
unit rule.
Decision of Kansas. Texas and Missis-
sippi last night to stand pat for their
tavorite sons in the opening round put
new heart into the opposition, which is
convinced that if it can withstand the
New Workers onslaught for three or
four ballots, the tide will turn.
Down the street away from the bust
ling bunch of delegates, the drys are
busy at work. A pep meeting yester-
day provoked speeches from delegates
from many sections with Al Smith as
the target.
Among the speakers who are reported
to have voiced considerable protest
against Smith and Tammany were John
A. McSparren of Pennsylvania, Gone
Johnson Of Texas, Samuel T Spears of
West Virginia, A. H. Carmichael OF Ala
bama. Richard Long of Massachusetts
and Fred H. Betz Of Colorado.
Roper Has Organized.
Daniel Roper of South Carolina, Who
has spoken for the group, is understood
to have perfected an organization for
floor work in the convention and contact
among the various delegations, but this
organization, like all other plans Of the
J Southerners. is buried so far in mystery.
| Roper Is one of the McAdoo faction of
| 1924 and several of those reported to
be aligned with him In the battle against
Smith today were In the McAdoo camp
in former days. But there is no mention
of McAdoo in their meetings Of today.
Their fight is based on prohibition.
| The Sunday statement Of Senator
Reed on prohibition. declaring that the
| eighteenth amendment must be enforced
by both States and Federal Government
until and unless a better way Of regu-
lating the liquor traffic is discovered, has
gone long way In bridging the gap
between his forces and the band Of
| Southern drys.
II Smith IS stopped. Reed Is hopeful
of receiving Southern and Western in
dorsement. The program beyond stop
ping Smith. however, has not even been
considered II is the hope Of the South
ern drys that each of the many favorite
sons from their section will hold their
strength In the convention long enough
to stem the tide.
a