The Washington times., 1929-06-17
OUTCOME IS
HELD IN
DOUBT

The meeting tomorrow in
Roanoke, Va, Of the Hoover
Gratis or Hoover-Citizen Clubs
that opposed Al Smith in Vir-
ginia during the last Presi-
Dental election is looked on
with much interest by not only
Virginia politicians, but those
OF national rank. Leaders Of
all factions are specializing as
to what will transpire and are
expecting many surprises.
Northern Virginia will send a
large delegation, and from Arling-
ton county and the city Of Alex
andris. there will he at least 50
people in attendance. Among the
most prominent are Frank Lyons,
State chairman OF the executive
committee, a prominent lawyer.
real estate operator and developer
in Arlington county, J. Cloyd Byars,
and N. e. Ryan. all of Arlington
county.
1t has been planned by the lead
ers of all the people going from
Charlottesville that they meet there
at noon and proceed to Roanoke in
a body.
The temporary chairman Of the
convention will be Frank Lyons.
I'LL fn
early tomorrow morning, when a
permanent chairman will be elected.
Cite Reform Movement
This meeting is q, movement to
favor certain necessary reform in
State politics, they assert. The
object OF this meeting, they declare,
js to make the so.called Democratic
Organization in Virginia more
responsive to the wishes OF the
Democratic voters.
1t seems to be the impression, the
leaders state, that so-called leaders
of the present Democrats have been
more like bosses" than like
leaders; and the rank and file, they
assert, want to throw off that yoke
and have g. voice in political and
economic matters throughout the
State The time has come for a
change, they declare, and they will
fight for it at this convention.
1--WE are out to Democratize De
mocracy," one of the leaders from
the eighth district exclafme' today.
This convention is the most
unique in the history of Virginia
politics in that not delegate is
elected TO attend. 1t is just q State
wide mass meeting. Everyone in
terested in the Virginia political
situation is invited, the leaders say.
They may indorse one or more
OF the Democratic candidates, they
declared today, or tl-ey may nomi-
nate an entire State,tic'-et and run
it Independently Of all other fac
tions. The fact that they would
indorse some of the De ocratic
candidates, several Democratic lead
surprise. However, they say that
no forecast with any certainty can
bs made as to the outcome.
Conrad's Bolt Discounted
The statement Of former State
Senator George N. Conrad of Har-
riSonburg, Va, to the effect that he
has Withdrawn from the executive
committee of the Hoovercrats, anti
Smith Democrats, or Hoover Citizen
Clubs, and will support G.. Walter
Mapp, one Of the Democratic as
pirants for the gubernatorial nonina-
tion, did not throw any consternE-
ton into the camp Of the Hoover
Gratis, so their leaders assert. 1t
was NOT unexpected, they said, be-
cause he was very much opposed
to calling the Roanoke meeting,
when they held meeting in Lynch
burg earlier in the year.
Conrad is a leader in the Seventh
Congressional district and an "old-
type Bryan" Democrat OIL the past
ages. His shift back to the regular
Democratic ranks has caused much
pleasure there, according to Demo
cratic leaders, and leaves the anti
Smith crowd without an outstand-
ing leader in the northwestern part
Of the state. He was chairman Of
the COMMITTEES Of 10 men to call
the meeting held in Lynchburg on
February 5, which. in turn, planned
the Roanoke convention to be held
tomorrow.
Cannon Strength Gains
The "bolting" of Conrad. it is as
serted, will strengthen the forces and
power Of Bishop Cannon in the
Hoover.crat ranks, and, as to the
bishops actions, nothing is known
as he has not made any statement.
From Conrad's statement. it IS
gathered that he will support only
Mapp Of the three Democratic can
dldates, and should one of the
other two be nominated he viii not
support him.