Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-01
ROOSEVELT RATED
AHEAD OF AL SMITH
Governors BaCkerS Expect
to Get State Delegation
in 1882 Race.

NEW YORK, February 2e.-While
the name of Alfred E. Smith is still re-
garded nationally as in the list Of po-
tential candidates for the Democratic
presidential nomination next year, the
State Democratic organization, which is
supporting Gov. Roosevelt for the White
House, now feels that Mr.. Smith may
fairly well be regarded as out Of the
running, 1t was learned today.
That view of the situation Is based
upon the opinion of State organization
leaders that Mr.. Smith cannot hope to
go into the Democratic National Con-
vention with the support of the New
York delegation. It had been conceded
that should his protagonists be able to
present to the convention q solid or even
a reasonably strong split delegation
from his home State, he might stand a
chance of denomination, in event of a
deadlock, because of the enormous pop
ular vote he received in 1928.
Failing to demonstrate before the
country that his own State wants him
as the party's candidate again, the
friends of Gov Roosevelt believe that
it would be impossible for Mr.. Smiths
supporters to overcome in the conYen-
ton the great prejudice which was dis
played against him in the South and
Middle West in the election Of 1928.
Roosevelt Backers Hopeful.
The State organization is understood
to be not entirely assured yet that it
can deliver q solid delegation for Gov.
Roosevelt, but the organization leaders
feel that the perfection of a solid dele
CATION between now and the election
nnTpafafinY1 faG ie AZ
ter of practical politics.
The fact, that with the defeat OF the
Republican candidate for attorney gen.
eral last Fall, the Democrats are now
completely in the saddle of the State
government has given Gov. Roosevelt
and the Democratic State Committee
more power over county committeeman
throughout the State than any Demo-
cratic Governor and committee has ever
exercised before through patronage and
reprisal. That power is backed by Gov.
RooseveltS record popular plurality in
his reelection.
The Governors position, therefore, is
felt to be virtually impregnable up
State when the time comes for the
selection of national convention dele
gates The antipathy to Mr.. Smith
which has grown up in Tammany Hall
in recent years, together with Coy.
Roosevelt's considerable attitude toward
Tammany scandals and the natural dis
position Of Tammany to get on the right
national political band wagon, are count
ed upon to take care of New York City.
May Oppose RaskOb.
Plans are already being made on the
basis of this picture of the situation
to take a solid Roosevelt delegation to
1n dc
nothing definite has been done about
it yet, there is reason to believe that
If the prospective split in the Demo-
cratic party develops out Of the meeting
Of the Democratic National Committee
March S, when it Is anticipated Chair
man John j. Raskob will demand a
showdown on the prohibition issue, the
Roosevelt Democrats of New York State
may ultimately be found lining up with
the Southern and Western drys against
the continued Craftsmanship of Mr.
Raskob.
1t is known that leaders closely as
ISOLATED with Gov. Roosevelt and the
Democratic State Committee feel that
Chairman Raskob is making a serious
mistake in undertaking to place the
party on record on prohibition at the
forthcoming meeting Of the National
Committee. That sentiment is based on
TWO reasons. one Is That II Is TOO Tar
ahead of the convention and needless
at this time TO try to put the party on
record on this ticklish issue, and the
other is that the assumption that the
National Committee has the right to
place the party on record is high
handed piece Of business. The Roose-
welt supporters are outspoken in their
contention that the party policies are
4 TO be established in this national cleo
! ton, as always, not by the National
| Committee, but by the delegates of the
voters duly elected to the national con-
/ Vention
| Moreover, there is a distinct DISPOSE
| ton TO believe that II Mr.. Smith has
not guided Mr.. Raskob In his present
maneuver, the Democratic national
| chairman is at least moving in that
| direction with the full knowledge and
! consent of Mr.. Smith.
| Among many of Gov. RooseVelt's
/ friends, 1t was said, the feeling exists
| that If the issue is forced the State
party organization, which Gov. Roose-
welt dominates, might be forced to
throw It's weight against Mr.. Raskob.