Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-24
BAKER ROOSEVELT
BATTLE is SEEN
New York Governor Faces
Real Fight With 0hio's
"Favorite Son."
Continued From First Page.)

be nominated. Some of them insist,
however, that Mr. Young, If nominated,
will be a strong candidate, despite the
fact that ProgressiveS in the Demo-
cratic party and in the Republican
party would look askance at the nomi-
nation because of Mr.. Young's connec-
ton with huge corporation and be-
cause of the charges made that he
would not be antagonistic to the power
trust
Democrats here and there express a
fear that the nomination of Gov Roose-
velt of New York might lead to a wh!S-
pering campaign on the part of their
Republican opponents, a campaign
aimed at Roosevelt because Of his
physical disabilities. Several years ago
the New York Governor suffered an at
tack OF infantile paralysis which i'm
paired the use of his legs With great
courage, Gov. Roosevelt has combated
this disease and his friends point out
that Notwithstanding the arduous duties
of Governor of the Empire State for the
last two and half years, Roosevelt to-
day is in excellent health. Further
more, If he were nominated, Gov Roose-
welt would make an active campaign,
speaking in many parts of the country,
and his winning personality, coupled
with measure of sympathy for his
disability, would, they say, far more
than offset any whispering campaign
the Republicans might undertake.
When the Democratic National Con-
vention meets, as matters now stand,
Gov. Roosevelt will 60 into the conven-
ton with more delegates pledged to him
than any other candidate for the nom
ination, unless the investigat ton of the
New York government and Tammany
should have serious results for Roose-
welt. In the West, Roosevelt is already
a strong candidate. He has been in
dorsed by Progressive Democratic lead
erS like Dill of Washington and Wheeler
of Montana. In the South. Roosevelt's
nomination for the presidency would be
accepted practically without nurmur
despite the fact that Roosevelt has de-
clared himself opposed to national pro-
hibit1on as 1t is now practiced. He made
himself solid with many of the Demo-
cratic leaders from the South when he
threw his influence at the March meet
ing of the Democratic National Com
mittee against the plans of Chairman
John J. RaScob to have the committee
go on record as favoring wet plank
In the Democratic national platform.
Worried BY Norris o. X.
In some quarters, disappointment is
expressed that Gov. Roosevelt has had
the practical Endorsement of Senator
George w. Norris of Nebraska, Progress
sive Republican, for the Democratic
nomination for President.
Such an Endorsement might lose
Roosevelt votes in the East, particularly
in New York, it has been said. How
ever. the Endorsement of Senator Nor |
riS will certainly not hurt the chances |
of Gov. Roosevelt, if he be nominated, |
in the States of the West and the Mid |
die West, where there are many Pro- !
greSsive Republicans and independents. |
In that Democratic National Conven- !
ton when it opens will also be Gov. !
Richie OF Maryland, backed by his own |
State delegation and with friends in |
other State delegations. His supporters
insist that Richie would make a strong I
candidate in the North and East and
that he would hold the South despite |
his outstanding fight against the eight
zenith amendment. Other candidates
who viii enter the convention with sup
port of State delegations are Senator
Robinson Of Arkansas, the Democratic
leader Of the Senate, and the vice presi-
dental candidate in 1923; Senator Reed
OF Missouri, former Gov. Harry Byrd of
Virginia, Senator Cordell Hull Of Ten
nessee and probably several others.
Notwithstanding this wide field, how
ever, the battle is likely to settle quick
ly to a struggle between the leading
contenderS.
Backed by Ex-GOv. Cox.
Out in Ohio Baker has the support, |
1t is reported, of former Gov. JIMMY
Cox, himself Democratic presidential
candidate in 1920. There has been
speculation as to the health of Mr.. |
Baker and whsther he could stand
presidential campaign However. he |
was able successfully to weather an at |
tack Of pneumonia within the last wear. |
which would indicate that his health is |
not poor. Back in 1920 Baker was an |
outstanding supporter of the entry of |
the United States into the League of !
raised against him in the Democratic |
convention. However, the League of
Nations as an issue has faded consid- |
erably during the last decade
Al Smith in all probability will be I
an important factor in the next Demo-
cratic national convention. There are
plenty Of Democrats who supported
Smith in 1923 who would like to see
him nominated again. However, there
is strong belief that Gov. Smith will
not permit himself to BE- a candidate.
and there is equally strong opinion that
II ne actually entered the lists he could
not again win nomination in a con-
Ventlon where a tWo-thirdS vote is
required to nominate candidates for
president and Vice President.
Former Gov. Smith, it is pointed out
has never said that he will not again
be candidate for the presidency. and
In some quarters this has been inter
preted as meaning that he would be
candidate in 1882. His declination to
come out in favor Of Gov Roosevelt's
candidacy when he was asked the point
blank question during his visit to Wash
ington at the time of the national con-
mittee meeting in March has also been
taken as an indication that he had
ambitions Of his own. 1t seems clear,
however, that Smith would not be SO
politically unwise as to declare him
self out Of the race If he wishes to con-
tinue to hold his present great influence
in the party and in the next national
convention. Quite naturally, he will
wish to have voice in the decision of
the convention. And there are indica-
tons that he intends TO exert his in
fiuence.
If he is to oppose the nomination of
Gov. Roosevelt, as has been insisted in
certain Democratic quarters, he has
given no public indication Of that in
tention. Furthermore, unless he him
self Is to be candidate, he will have
TO md some very good reasons for op-
posing the man who three times placed
him In nomination for the presidency.
or else be considered an migrate.
4sad for nruo, Cknra