The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-23
PARTY Hinges
VICTORY ON
HARMONY
By GEORGE r. HOLMES
international News service

HOUSTON, Tex, June 23--A
quiet but, nevertheless, extremely
energetic campaign was under way
here today to stifle the sounds Of
conflict already beginning to rise IN
{ connection with the Democratic
/ National Convention which opens
on Tuesday.
/ 1t is predicated on this lire.
Smith Is going TO be nominated
4 You can't stop him. Why harm
string him, then, by repeating Madi-
son Square Garden?''
IN this campaign are, first 81 ail,
NJ course, the active supporters
4 III the New York governor. But
of more Importance il the TACT
/ there are a number Of SouthernerS
who would rather see someone else
nominated, but who are convinced
no one else win be, and being 70
convinced want to make the best
Of the situation.
Opposition Weak
The early efforts to form bitter
end, anti-SmitI1 coalition have failed
utterly. Perhaps one may be whip
ped into shape later, but thus far
/ efforts along this line haven't made
much Roadway. There are half q
dozen rival candidates. each with
his small following and each de-
termined to stop Smith, but there
/ Is totally lacking the coordination
OF effort necessary to success.
One Southern leader, Senator.
who views with no particular en-
thusiasIn the nomination OF Gov
ernor Smith. was approached with
the suggestion that he join A last
ditch anti. Smith c0alifiOn
"All right" he agreed, ''but
whO've you got to stop him?"
Several names were suggested
Reed of Missouri. Hull of Tennes-
see, Donahey Of Ohio-anybody but
Smith.
Nothing doing" said the Sen.
ator. TN lifetime OF politics, !
have learned that you can't stop
somebody with nobody. You show
me somebody capable OF stopping
him and I'm your man. But I'M
less and until you 90, ! am too
good q Democrat. and, / hope, too
sensible a politician to join any such
undertaking."
Aim for Harmony
This same dialogue, varying in
degree, according to the principals
and the place. has taken place half
dozen times in Houston during
the past "a hours. The coalition
seekers have been busy. but with
out any appreciable success, ami,
on the contrary, their efforts seem
to have resulted in the determine.
ton on the part of the long-headed
leaders Of the party not to let the
antl-Smith hotheads promote an.
other such spectacle of Democratic
disharmony as was presented four
years ago.
HARMONY has become the watch
word Of the majority, and a short,
snappy convention their goal.
For the first time since 1919. q
memorable year to Democrats, they
point out, q Republican convention
has Just concluded its work by do.
ing a lot of wash in public.
See Real Chance
The agricultural discomfort in the
normally Republican Middle West,
coupled with the slashinx attack
that Is planned on the Republican
scandals. oil and otherwise. has
convinced a lot of Democrats that
they have a real chance to win in
November. Therefore, they want, IL
possible. to present here in Houston
q reasonably harmonious conven.
ton and get away as soon as
possible.
This task OF the thermometers is
to put soft pedal on prohibit
tion. That Is at once their first
and their most difficult task.
The radical drys are militant
and determined to hammer into the
platform at any cost a plank that
will commit the party irrevocably to
the "moral Righteousness" OF prohi-
bition. The Smith people are
equally determined that there will
be no such plank and, being in the
majority. are fairly confident of
their ability to defeat It. They are
not SO much afraid Of the plank it,
self as they are fearful that the
fight over 1t may engender so much
bitter feelinR that there will be q
Fspsreussicn Ia November.