Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-04
LIQUOR ISSUE SEEN
IN ROOSEVELT PATH
Smith Support Described as
Ringing on Stand for
Repeal.

/ National leaders OF the Democratic
/ party at Washington. watching the
| state election in New York on Tuesday
| believe there Is much substance TO what
| is called the disagreement" between
| Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York
and ex-Gov Alfred z. Smith. but which
| might be described more accurately as
the standing apart by Smith from
Roosevelt's candidacy for the Demo-
cratic presidential nomination.
In the relations between the two
! leaders. and in the measure of their
relative strength in the party in New
Y 1rK State only trivial weight Is at
tached to the vote in New York on one
Of five amendments to the Constitution
The voters of New York State may or
| may not have had deep convictions upon
so remote and intricate a subject as
"reforestation.' The national leaders
| however dwell upon more weighty
aspects Of the relations OF Smith to
Roosevelt and Of both to the presiden-
| tial nomination
Wet Issue Important.
The national leaders feel the heart
Of the whole matter lies in the question
whether Roosevelt's wet views are salts
factory to Smith. The national leaders
think that probably Smith does not rate
RooseVelt's ability as high as some
| two or three other men. including New
ton u Baker Owen ID. Young and Gov
Richie of Maryland as rather better
candidates and better potential Presi
dents than Roosevelt. Nevertheless the
national leaders think that Smith is
ready to waive these distinctions be-
tween good and better in face OF the
fact that Roosevelt is rolling up much
delegate strength. provided. and only
1 = = L. al IL
in favor of Smiths view Of party policy
about prohibition.
The national leaders. in short, think
that Smith will oppose Roosevelt FOR
the nomination unless Roosevelt fully
Endorses Smiths views about party pol
icy on the prohibition amendment. They
think also that Smith has enough al
liances with other leaders and enough
support by Democratic voters to assure
him success in this purpose.
The national leaders are fully salts
fed that Smith is not seeking the pres
idential nomination for himself. Some
Of the national leaders who are most
loyal to Smith personally. and to
Smiths views about prohibition, would
themselves strongly counsel Smith not
to try for the presidential nomination
Ngain. AS they put it, I'VE have been
through that once and we don't want
it again.
Determined for Repeal.
The party leaders are sure Smith
does not seek the nomination, but they
are equally sure Smith is strongly de-
termined to compel whoever is the party
candidate to accept Smiths view on
prohibition. Smiths view is that the
party platform should go the whole
length of coming out plainly for re-
peal of the prohibition amendment.
The national party leaders think
Smith will fight for that plank and
that he will win it. because it takes
adopt the platform, whereas it takes
two thirds to nominate the presidential
candidate The party leaders think
that Smith, as detail of his fight for
100 per cent wet plank, will at some
point ask Roosevelt the direct question.
Are you with us or against us?" If
Roosevelt's answer is satisfactory, Smith
will permit the Roosevelt candidacy to
go on to what now seems its predeStined
successful conclusion. II Roosevelt re-
fuses. developments would follow too
complex to detail here. but certain to be
exciting and important.
There is no doubt whatever that
Smith has the personal strength and
also the necessary allies to carry out
his purpose That leader Cermak of
Illinois will stand with Smith in this
purpose is made clear by events of the
past few days. Hague Of New Jersey
will stand with Smith. Substantially
all New England will stand with him.
So will most of Pennsylvania and most
of Ohio In most of these States Smith
has the voluntary loyalty of the leaders.
Where that does not exist Smith will
have their support anyhow, because the
mass of the Democratic voters in those
States are more loyal to Smith and
Smiths wet views than they are to any
one else whether locally or nationally.
Showdown Is Predicted.
Smith in pursuit of this purpose can
probably command New York State, for
regardless of the outcome of Tuesdays
vote on the reforestation issue national
Democratic leaders are convinced that
| on any plain, direct issue between
Smith and Roosevelt, Smith can carry
more of the Democratic party in New
York than Roosevelt can. The net of
| 1t all is that there is ahead a real fight
between vets and drys in reference to
the plank on prohibition in the Demo-
cratic platform. and that Roosevelt will
be forced to take one side or the other
in this fight
|