The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-03-22
PARTY LEADERS
DODCINC STAND
ON CONVENTION
National Democratic Chief
Will Be Invited as
Keynote Speaker.
BY BEN STERN

II state committee heads wear
worried looks nowadays and fire.
quently turn to peer over their
shouIders-it isn't Al Capone they
are afraid Oft is the fear that
some event may force them to take
decided stand on constitutional
revision.
Ever since the 1929 legislature
passed the measure providing for a
referendum on a constitutional con-
vention this year both Republicans
and Democrats have been afraid to
take definite stand either way.
An attempt to make the Demo-
Gratis indorse the referendum and
declare for a revision convention
was received in a lukewarm manner
at a state committee meeting.
Republicans Opposed
Prominent Republicans have been
outspoken in their opposition to the
constitutional convention.
william F. Taylor, president of
WIG Gkt%bC DOL 1h>SOSAhVlO4L dA4Sl
Seventh district Republican chair
man, has made several talks against
the move.
But those leaders who make a
practice of sounding public Senti-
ment and capitalizing on it feel that
the first party to indorSe and
espouSe the project will be benefited
materially in the fall election.
The Indiana Farm Bureau Fed
Grafton and the Indiana Federation
Of Labor enthusiastically have ap-
proved the calling of constitutional
convention.
Opportunity for Farmers
The farmers see In it an oppor-
tunity to have embodied In the
states basic law measure calling
for an income tax. For years the
federation leaders have clamored
that the tax ON tangibleS or real
property places too great burden
upon the shoulders of the farmer
while the earners of large incomes,
who do not possess real property,
escape the tax burden.
Labor leaders hope to be able to
insert In the new Constitution their
views on injunctions against pick
citing by strikers.
At meeting held in Indianapolis
this week plans were made for a
state wide educational campaign in
favor of q constitutional convention
and revision.
But despite the farmer labor votes
party leaders are afraid to take
the plunge in the chilly waters.
McNutt May Be Drafted
Jouett Shouse, chairman of the
Democratic national committee, will
be invited to be the keynoter at the
Democratic state convention, June
10, 1t was indicated today.
A Hoosier, probably Frederick Van
Nuys, former United States district
attorney, will follow with a pro-
nouncement OF the state issues and
the party's policy.
A strong boom to draft Paul v.
McEutt, dean of Indiana university
School Of Law and former national
commander of the American Legion,
for the Democratic candidate for
secretary of state is underway.
McNutt has been spoken of as a
candidate for United States senator
in 1882, but many party leaders feel
that he would be fitted ideally to
run against Otto c. Fif1eld this
year.
Tries New Campaign Stunt
Fifleld's latest campaign stunt has
been the holding of school safety
meetings in all districts.
Inaugurated three weeks ago, q
meeting has been slated for each
congressional district. Teachers,
school superintendent and parents
are invited to attend and hear FL
field expound his philosophy of
safety. Accompanying him is Fred
r. GLADDEN., Marion county school
superintendent, who resigned as as
sistapt state superintendent of edu-
cation under q cloud.
Leaders Of the opposition argue 1t
Is significant the safety campaign
was inaugurated only after Fif1eld
had announced his candidacy for
denomination and reelection.