Evening star., 1932-02-09
RULE OR RUIN TALK
Anglers Al SMITH
Trying to Do "ManIy Thing," "
He Says, in Denying He's
a Candidate.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, February 9-Alfred E.
Smith pounded his desk yesterday and
said he was mot a candidate for the
Democratic presidential nomination.
Nothing in the statement I gave out
can be interpreted as an announcement
that I am a candidate" he told 20
newspaper men in his skyscraper office.
"All said was that l would accept
the nomination if the convention should
choose me.
Now, a candidate is a man who
seeks the support of delegates and
makes campaign before the conven-
ton. I'm not going to do either.
have no headquarters and I'm not
spending any money.
Il don't believe any one was ever
nominated who didn't make pre-con-
vention campaign
Cites Editorial View.
The former Governor took a cigar
from his mouth and pointed 1t toward
desk.
They all interpret the thing in a
different way, but this is the one I like
best"
He referred to an editorial, which
concluded: Alfred E. Smith stands out
as the manifest figure in the Demo-
cratic lists.
That said the titular head of De-
mocracy, lis what I'm trying to do
the manly thing"
The former Governor wore a high
silk hat and formal morning dress, He
had just come from the funeral Of John
r. Voorhis, Tammanys 102year- ar-old
grand sachem, where he met Gov
Franklin D. Roosevelt. As Smith passed
Roosevelt, he bent over and whispered
in Roosevelt's ear
He said. How do you do?' just as
any one would the Governor explained
later.
Called on Roosevelt.
When Smith appeared at his office.
As minutes late for his appointment
with newspaper men. he was asked what
the Governor had said to him.
Invited me to his town house"
Smith replied, and looked at the ceiling.
Did you go?"
yes. did
Did you talk politics?"
mo, it was purely social. We didn't
have time to talk politics. He was leav-
ing early and I was in hurry"
Are you likely to stick to your dec
laration that you will accept the noml-
nation?" he was asked.
II can only speak as of today" he
replied
He was told his statement had been
interpreted in some quarters as dec
laration that he wished to rule or
ruin" his party.
That's senseless," Smith replied in
dignantly. ANY one who knows my
record of 80 years square dealing won't
believe that"
He was reminded that in some States
men pledged to vote for him in the
convention were seeking election as
delegates.
Il can't help it," Smith said. eff men,
to gain leadership for themselves, say
they will support me.
You remember what happened in
1920. I was not candidate, but the
best speech at the convention was the
one Bourke Cochran made nominating
me.
What would you have done had you
been nominated them" he was asked.
I'D have gone and got the brown
derby and got busy"
Commenting on reports he was at
tempting to Zine up the field against
Roosevelt Smith said:
I'm not for or against any one. That
stands until the convention"
he was asked IL Tie tllOuSllJ IIle dIll-
tude toward him in the South had
changed in the last four years and re-
piled:
Il have no opinion on that. I've
been down there only once in the two
years and that wasn't a political trip"
I'm going to work and tend to bus
iness now he said in closing. All
you'll get from me after this is good
afternoon.
Gov. Roosevelt left for Albany with
out commenting. I'm trying to run
the State government" he said, "and
that's enough of job