Evening star., 1932-05-15
DEMOCRATS HERE
SEEKING HARMONY
Aim Is United Front for D. c.
SeIf-GoVernment Fight
at Convention.

With indications Of harmony, In con-
trast TO the discord that In the past
has stirred the party locally In presi-
Dental years, the Democrats of Wash
ingtcn are preparing TO present a united
front at the forthcoming National Con-
vention, where 1t is proposed to wage
more militantly than ever the cam
paign in behalf Of the right Of the
District to a voice in its own govern
ment.
That efforts had been made to iron
out dissatisfaction in certain quarters
directed at the party leadership repoS-
ing in John r. Costello, national COM
mitteeman, and the Democratic State
Central Committee, the governing body,
headed by John B. Colpoys, was made
known In statement yesterday coming
from Costello. Colpoys and Mrs. j. Bor-
den Hartman, national committee
woman.
With the statement was a series Of
regulations agreed upon for the conduct
of the primary here Wednesday to
choose delegates and alternates TO the
National Convention; national COM
mitteeman and national committee
woman, and members Of the State Cen
trail Committee.
The regulations we're sponsored by
Mrs. Hartman, and presented IN her
name and that of Mr.. Costello, to
Chairman Colpoys, who indorsed them
On behalf OF the Central Committee.
Mrs. Hartman explained later that
by adhering to the principles laid down,
which has come particularly from the
Women's Democratic Educational Coun-
Gil.
AS part of the present harmony
move, a new group has entered into
participation in Democratic affairs
Col. Arthur O'Brien, who recently sue
ceeded James w. Gerard as treasurer
Of the national Democratic victory
fund; George P. Marshall, George A.
Garrett, and Mrs. Henry Leonard. all
OF whom have filed to represent the
District at the national convention:
Col. O'Brien came into the local situ-
alton in an effort to head Of the quad
rennial battle after hearing the COM
plant of the Educational League, and
with Marshall and Garrett held confer
ences with the Democratic leaders, at
which 1t was decided TO work harmoni-
ously for the District.
In all II men and 2 women have filed
for the six places as delegate and six
as alternate, which the Democratic
party allots to the District at the ma
tional convention. and Mr.. Costello said
yesterday afternoon 1t was probable that
nobody would be left at home.
Any one of several men who have
fled, he said, would withdraw In the In
terest of harmony, and by giving each
delegate fractional vote, the District
could have Q representation Of 10 at the
convention.
Both himself and Colpoys, q delegate
candidate, are Roosevelt supporters, and
Col O'Brien stands high with the
Democratic national command, Costello
pointed out, adding that under the cir
cumstances, 1t was felt that the District
delegation would be In q particularly
strategic position TO push its efforts in
behalf of national representation.
In addition, the District delegation, 1t
was said, proposes TO bring to the at
tention OF the convention the inequi-
table fiscal arrangement that now Ia
being forced on local residents by Con-
gress,
The complexion of the local dele
CATION. it is said, viii be pro- Roosevelt
and wet.
In addition to the District plank, the
local representation Will favor repeal
of the eighteenth amendment, and,
pending that, modification of the Vol
stead act TO permit 2.75 beer and Light
wines.
The State Central Committee will
meet tomorrow night TO make final ar
rangements for the primary. Both Ma
tional Committeeman Costello and Mrs.
Hartman are unopposed for reelection
and there are but 10 candidates for
the Central Committee, which at full
strength Is composed Of "a members
for as many districts The committee
has been reduced by deaths, and Of the
candidates l6 are incumbents and three
newcomers.
In general, the rules for the primary
provide for setting up oficials at each
polling place, for o supervised count
of ballots at headquarters and for full
est publicity regarding the voting, In
cluding expenditures.
Col. O'Brien said 1t was hoped they
would eventually form the basis for
q primary law here.
This will be the third national con-
vention at which District delegates
have worked for o national represen-
tation plank. The District Repubn-
cans also will press for national repre-
sentation at the national convention.