Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-07
DEMOCRATIC SPLIT
. BRINGS 1882 RACE
TO FORE AS TOPIC
Independents Seek Unity as
Two Parties Speculate
on Candidates.
G. 0. P. RALLIES BOOST
HOOVER DENOMINATION
Reported Smith-Roosevelt Rift Still
in Limelight, With Maryland
Booming Richie.

By the Associated Press
The Democratic row precipitated by
Chairman Raskob of the National
Committee, has led to a full flower
ing of political speculation concerning
1882.
Not only in the party of Jefferson,
but in Republican ranks as well, the
next presidential race has become an
absorbing topic for public utterance.
Meanwhile, independents are getting to-
gether, disclaiming any third party in
tentions, but bent on making their mark
through coalescing on detectives, which
have been somewhat scattered.
Most conspicuous in Democratic
ranks was a concerted effort to smother
the Raskob plan to line up the party
for his home rule" State liquor con-
troll project. But out of the bark
ground recurrent presidential boom
for the Maryland anti-prohibitionist
Gov. Ritchie, had marched forth with
an Endorsement by the Free States
Legislature. Rumblings of split be,
tween Alfred E. Smith and Gov Roose-
velt in New York, though denied, oc-
cupied many political spectators with
emphasis on the bearing such an event
would have on Roosevelt's presidential
chances.
Hoover's name was being uttered az
Republican rallies all over the countrt
in a not unusual swing toward renomis
nation of the incumbent, but heartened
by the disturbance in Democracy
camp.
Think Issue Hurts Chances.
Several Democratic leaders, active In
trying to head of the Raskob program,
continued their assertions that em-
bracing such an issue would amount I'd
throwing away the 1882 chances of this
party, though otherwise they appeared
excellent.
Some Republicans agreed with them,
Out of a Texas meeting OF party Lead
ers came prediction that the q. O. P.
would have easy sailing as result of
the Democratic row. That group yes
terday Endorsed without qualification
for his denomination. So did the State
convention of the party in Michigan.
An utterance, interesting because OF
its source, was attributed to Senator
Lafollette of Wisconsin. independent
Republican, who was quoted IN Philas
delphia as saying Mr.. Hoover's renomi'
nation on bone-dry platform was q
foregone conclusion.
He said again he saw no Immediate
upwelling of public sentiment to justify
third party movement. OF the pros
gressive meeting called to meet hert
March IL and - he said:
1--WE will formulate plans TO force OUT
economic program on the attention Of
the next Congress"
Stronger Position Is Seen.
Already powerful in the Senate
through the coalition with the Demo-
Gratis, which ruled of and on through
the entire last session of Congress, thf
group is looking forward to a strongE
position in both branches next session.
Backers of the conference today were
represented as well pleased with the
response. AcceptanceS from both Re-
publicans and Democrats have been
coming into the Office of Senator Nor
ris of Nebraska. The names have not
been given out, but they number about
rs so far. Senator Borah, Republican,
Idaho, is one who plans to attend II he
can arrange 1t.
AS to the Smith Roosevelt situation,
some commentators predicted there
would be a split if Gov Roosevelt
sought to avoid further commitment on
prohibition in bid for Southern sup
port.