Evening star., 1928-04-22
MOODY VIRTUALLY
RULES DELEGATES
Death of Kirby Leaves Texas
Governor as Power in Sc
lection of Slate.
.necial nlsnatch 70 The star.

Special Dispatch 20 The Star
AUSTIN, Tex, April 2l.-The sudden
death during a political conference with
Gov Dan Moody of r. Harper Kirby,
leader of the principal opposition
forces to Moody's Statewide unin-
structed harmony program. has left the
governor virtually in command of the
selection of the 10 delegates who will
cast the Texas vote at the Democratic
convention at Houston.
Kirby was leader of those who would
instruct against Gov Smith, Reed and
Ritchie. and who threatened to bolt the
party If any wet were nominated. Kir-
by had sought a conference with
Moody, seeking to reach common
ground. since Moody's majority element
has declared against Smith or any
other wet. but proposed to leave the
delegation uninstructed so as to have
power in the national convention.
Kirby, stricken by heart attack. dieo
before this conference was over. and
the accord between factions was never
reached yet his following has become
disorganized.
Bailey Enters Fight.
Former United States Senator Bailey
has entered the fight as leader of a
third faction to "loyalists." who are re-
garded as supporters of Smith, but who
are supporting Moodys demand that all
those who attend conventions in the
State must pledge themselves to sup
port any nominee Cone johnson,
Moody appointee, is left as chairman of
the bone dry element, succeeding Kirby.
with Thomas B. Love. former national
committeeman and past leader of Nc
Adoo forces, as the dominant factor in
this group. Love is supporting Senator
Walsh. but is credited with an effort
to tie the delegation to an offchance
candidate so as to control 1t in the
actual nomination.
Gov Moody will spend the next few
weeks in a vigorous campaign seeking
to have a dry platform demand in
structed on the Texas delegates. with
the choice of the candidate left open.
All these inner workings of the Demo-
cratic factions explains the most
unique fight In the history of Texas for
control of the 30 votes. which admit
tedly are expected TO definitely turn the
scales for or against Al Smith in the
convention. and thus become of national
import.
Against Al Smith
Present indications are that Texas
delegates will fail to vote for Smith on
any ballot, even though he should be
nominated after the favorite-son
iockeying Is washed out. Texas has
constitutional prohibition and a pro-
lIibition law far more stringent than
the Volstead act The Texas Governor
is thoroughly dry and will permit Sc
lection of none but delegates who viii
support only dry candidate, though ne
Is making the most aggressive part OF
his fight against binding these dele
gates in the hostess State for or against
any candidate. holding such action
would weaken Texas power In the con-
yention and would be discourtesy TO
delegates and candidates.
Tom Connally. Representative, opened
his race for the United States Senate
against Senator Mayfleid Minor ef-
forts are being made by the anti
Creaaer- r-anti- Hoover Republicans to
form an effective organization against
instructed delegates for Hoover. But
this faction. led by Representative
wurzbact. only Republican in the
Texas delegation. is finding little sup
port and faces a definitely hopeless
task, unless Hoover should be out
voted by some other candidate early In
the Republican national convention.
S. RAYMOND BROOKS,