The Washington times., 1932-07-02
BY CLAUDE G. BOWERS
Copyright. 1899. by International
News Service)


Copyright. 1899. by International
News service)
CHICAGO. July 2 GNSJ.
Ten.thirty, the convention in seS.
sion but an hour and a half.
The greatest crowd of the con-
vention.
Everyone knows what has hap
pened. Garner has withdrawn.
It is whispered about that the
votes Of California and Texas will
90 to Roosevelt and that the Vice
Presidency plays a part in the
drama.
The roll call begins. Califor-
MIA is reached. McAdoo takes
the platform. He receives an
ovation at first. He reaches the
point where his purpose is plain.
A storm breaks in the crowded
galleries. Boos-booS. He is
stopped. He stands firmly in his
place. looking grim.
!, Walsh appeals for silence. The
galleries drown even him. He
calls on the Mayor Of Chicago
VO ICSIEAln Cuc SdAlCIlCS.
McAdOO Braves Storm
Cermak appears before the
microphone. The galleries settle
down. McAdoo begins again.
And again the storm breaks. Nc.
Adoo denounceS the galleries and
speaks on as the uproar con-
tinues. But the fight is over
Other States fall in line. Illinois
Indiana. Maryland, whose vote is
announced by Ritchie; Virginia,
whose vote is announced by
Byrd: Missouri and Oklahoma,
whose votes are not announced
by Reed or Murray.
New Jersey, Massachusetts,,
Connecticut defiantly stand by
Smith and in New York only a
few who had voted for Smith
shifted. He was 50 to 81.
Mayor Walker in the New York
delegation stands to survey the
scene and his face wrinkles into
4 characteristic smile as he says:
"It'S all wrong about the
world loving . lover. 1t loves q
winner"
When the convention met at 9
o'clock Thursday evening few con-
sidered q vote that night a posi-.
bility; when weary but grimly de-
termined partfSaY1S we're marching
in meaningless professions, when
dawn was almost breaking, no
normal person would have ex-
pected a vote that morning likely.
Tactical Error
There is not one bit Of doubt
but that the decision to begin vot-
ing even at 4 or 5 in the morning
was predicated on the firm con-
viction of the leading candidate
that a nomination could be ef-
fected before adjournment.
Mullens of Nebraska, floor
leader for Roosevelt. was passing
up and down the aisles preparing
his men for a ballot. Farley also
was active.
At that hour it was the COM
mon thought, outside the inner
circles I think. that two or three
ballots at the utmost would end
the contest.
Whatever the ultimate result,
It was a tactical error to begin
the voting unless those in control
had positive assurances that a
nomination would be forced be-
fore adjournment. This was
understood by some of these
leaders I know.
Strong Platform Cited
The fact that their expectations
were not realized only illustrates
anew the instability of political
guarantees.
The strength of the platform
Is generally conceded; the fair
ness of Walsh is commonly ad-
mitted; the Importance Of prevent
ing a serious Schism is proclaimed
on all sides. But some one was
sure to be disappointed and it
will take a week or two to gauge
the effect of the struggle on
party solidarity.
have oeen unable to find
anything in the spirit of the dele.
gates that threatens a disruption
because of the clashes of personal
ambitions. There is now some
bitter talk, but this is the bitter
stage. The sooner this stage is
passed the better for the party
prospects.
Suspected Gamblers