The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-17
Richie SLABS
AT ROOSEVELT'S
UTILITY STAND
Speech Seen AS Attempt to
Head Off Race for
Presidency.

By Scripps-Hooord Newspaper Alliance
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.-Goy-
ernor Albert c. Ritchie's Atlantic
City address assailing government
ownership of public utilities was re-
garded by politicians here today as
the start of a definite movement by
certain Democrats to head off Gov
ernor Franklin D. Roosevelt of New
York, in the latter's flying race for
the presidential nomination.
Ritchie's thinly yelled criticism Of
his rivals power views and Roose-
velt's desire to subordinate prohibi-
ton to economic issues commanded
great interest because he (Ritchie)
is reported as the second choice of
the conservative wing of the party.
After Owen D. Young, and posi-
bly, Al Smith, the Maryland Cover
nor is believed to be most salts
factory to the group headed by
John j. Raskob, national chairman,
a Acknowledgements.
Speech Is Challenged
To the politicians Ritchie's speech
stands as a frank and direct chal-
lenge OF Roosevelt's views, which ap-
peal to progressives in both parties.
Meanwhile, Democrats are looking
forward to the address Newton D.
baker of Ohio is scheduled to make
before the American Legion conven-
ton at Detroit next week, and
wondering whether he will raise a
lightning rod, and how. He is gem
orally regarded as second to Roose-
welt in the Democratic race, with
Richie in the role of possible
compromise candidate.
Although Ritchie did not mention
Roosevelt by name, he came near it.
He denounced the New York Gov
ernor's public utility theories as we'll
as Roosevelt's known desire to sub
ordinate prohibition to economic
questions.
Aims at Backers
Richie turned his direct fire on
the men who either indorse or SYM
pathize with Roosevelt's attitude,
Senator George w. Norris, Nebraska
progressive, and Governor Clifford
Pinchot of Pennsylvania. Norris
has indicated he might support
Roosevelt, if nominated, in prefer
ence to Hoover, and Pinchot joined
with the New York Governor in
denouncing public utilities practices
at the recent French Lick confer
ence Of state executives.
Political tongues were also set to
wagging by Ritchies praise Of
Young's ideas of managing a pri-
vate corporation. Politicians recalled
that this makes the second time
Rithcie has made a flattering refer
ence to Young. In his inaugural
address last winted Ritchie Endorsed
the General Electric Company's syS-
tenn of an unemployment reserve,
and referred with seeming sarcasm
to prominent Democrats who have
become belated converts to prohibi-
ton.
Richie Followers Concerned
Friends Of free lance and favorite
son candidates have recently begun
to express uneasinesS over RooSe-
velt's apparent lead in the race, and
the publicity his candidacy is re-
ceiving. 1t is their fear that the |
New York Governor will get SO far
out in front there will be no stop
ping him. Ritchie's admirers have
been especially concerned, for they |
feel it is now or never for their |
handsome idol.
Except for Baker, who fought for
public ownership and operation as
an official in Cleveland, the leading
candidates for the Democratic
nomination have now made clear
their views on power.
Young and Ritchie are for private
operation, Smith for construction of |
generating plants by the state and |
sale of electricity to private COM
panies under contract.
Rosevelt'S program is similar to
Smiths, with the additional pro-
posal that, if satisfactory" con-
tracts can not be negotiated, the |
state should deliver power to cities
and counties.