Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-16
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC HILLIfN UILE.

''Al Smiths bow Ia the national de-
mocracy" is the description now applied
by party leaders 10 the governors Jack
son day letter III other words AIS"
hat is in the ring. He threw it In by
mail, and by proxy. but 1t Is there. No
one. Democratic politicians contend
and, least OF all. Smith himseli-can
any longer maintain the fiction he Is
not an ayowcd candidate The New
Workers. letter is his maiden venture IN
the realm Of truly national politics.
Even though It's confined principally TO
the proposal that the Democratic party
should proceed without delay 10 prepare
n platform. Smith has at length plunged
into the Seeth!ng maelStrom Of nationa!
issues The manner In which Toast
master John w. Davis introduced the
Smith letter and the uuimpre&SiVe form
in which former Lieut.. Gov. Lunn Of
New York droncd IL detracted consider
ably from its effect in the banqueting
hall. But the letter made the front
pages Of the country. is universally ac-
claimed the high spot OF the Jackson
celebration. and thus. from Smiths
standpoint, accomplished It's purpose.
-
Claude q, Bowers is man with
retiring nature but an advancing fu-
ture. His brilliant keynote address at the
Democratic harmony" feast vas far
away the feature OF the endless night
II overshadowed all the rest OF the ora
torical orgy put together. although
Silver-tongned Democrats like Davis,
Reed. Robinson and McAdoo we're In
competition with Bowers for forensic
honors. On a thousand lips was the
thought that II such speech had been
made before national convention It
would have nominated the maker for
the presidency As II was, II launched
the Bowers boom. Bowers was another
William Jennings Bryan In another
cross OF gold masterpiece Slight OF
build, modest Of manner and unpreten-
tiouS in appearance. the 43-year -old
Indiana born New York historian aud
editorial writer simply stole the show"
No one Who followed him struck a new
note In the whole gamut Of the Demo-
cratic creed. for he said IL all. In ef-
feet. Bowers wrote platform for his
party. II In some capacity he Is invited
10 take the floor al Houston In June
therc'il be- hot time IN the convention
hall that day.
One OF Senator JIM Reeds legion
OF admirers WAS watching the Missouri
ian perform In the Senate the other
day. II was controversial occasion,
on which ordinarily the Demoathenes
OF Kansas City would have stofmed IN
his most engaging manner Instead.
he was courtesy and Cancellation per-
s0nitied. II never knew before" re-
marked Reeds adherent. upon leaving
the gallery. that II presidential bee Is
a honey beel"
Henry Breckenridge, who was Assist
ant Secretary Of War during the iltat
three years Of the Wilson adminiAtta-
ton. ranks aa Col liuubergh'a closeat
guide philosopher and friend. Now u
practlclng lawyer Ia New York. breck"
iuridge dcyutes much III his time Ia
cnunAelng men Ut affairs IN the do
main of public service. lie Is himself
the krenest Of ntlatorh. and almost AL
ways makes his periodical trips be-
tween New York and Washington by
plane Breckenridge Is one of tie most
expert fencera In America and has fire"
qurntiy been member OF teams repre-
henting the United states at the Oiym~
pic gamea and other foreign Compeu-
lions.
Now that civil hcfvce efficiency In IN
the news, here's Il piece Of unrecnrded
history worth the telling Not long ago
a distinguished itepublioan Senator pro-
posed small Increase In the tariff on
hides, Within "a hours. The boot and
hhoe manufacturers had delegation
nj ths Capitol, protesting that such n
raise would hi up tile price al foot
wear dollar pair 1te Senator
secuted ana doubted tie statement. but
decided 10 check ~ on H. 1hufrulton
la consulted certain executive de-
paftmfni and was assured that al most
Tie proposed tafiIt Increase Wouid
send up hnnt and ah0e prices la'a TO
10 cents II pair. A day az Two later
Democratic hsnalof. opposing the m
crease IN duty, declared tn the Senate
Moor mat he was reliably informed
to"t prices would ao MP 20 to Oh
cents pair Then the two sienatnts
compared mates II turned uut they'd
both got thelf flgnres from the same
nfiltial heAi day steps we're taken 10