The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-08
Al Smith Is
 Choice Here
(Continued from Page 1.)

 inent in the local organization de- clared that if ex-Governor Smith is a candidate they are wtth him On the other hand, there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth throughout the state as the Me- | Neil-Cross regime, which has beer promising Connecticut go Cover nor Franklin D. Roosevelt of New 1 York without any reservations realized that their power to do so is very doubtful.
 New Haven, Meriden, Bristol and other large cities throughout the state are known to be for Governor smith, if he wants the nomination. That the state convention will evolve itself into one of the great est battles in the history of the Connecticut democratic party is now a foregone conclusion.
 Mayor Hayes, who was presi- dent of the local Smith for Pres ident club in the last election, stat ed to-day: "If ex-Governor Smith wishes to be a candidate he can be assured of my entire support. Of course, in to-day's statement he did not declare himself in the race. He merely said he would run if the party demands that he do so. How ever, as far as I am concerned he will receive all the support l can possibly give him."
 Town Chairman Crary stated: "Waterbury was for Smith four years ago and eight years ago. am sure it will be for him again this year. As for myself, if there is only one vote cast for him in Wa terbury it will be mine. But l know that if he runs for president he will pile up majority greater than the record breaking one which he registered four year sago in Waterbury and other parts of Con- necticut."
 .Ex-Mayor Thoms, who was one of Connecticut's staunch Smith packers in the 1924 and 1928 con ventions, declared: "I voted for Smith in the conventions of 1924 and 1928, and should I be dele gate this year to the national con vention, l shall vote for him again If he is 0 candidate. l like the man because we know where he stands on the principal issue of the day. and especially on prohibition
 But the openness of the local statements on Smiths possible can didacy Is a great contrast to those issued this morning by others m the state. "I do not care to com ment," said National Committee man McNeil. "I have made no comment on any of the announce ments by candidates for president, said Governor Cross. "l have no comment to make, but I expect the central committee will meet within two or three weeks and some ac- ton. formal, or otherwise. may be taken at that time on the state ment." And so on, down the line, the Cross regime leaders showed an apparent fear to commit them selves after practically promising the state to Roosevelt.
 However, the split in the smith. Roosevelt sentiment has begun at the top. Mrs Lillian S. Abbott. MT McNeirs mate on the national committee, said: "If Governor Cross feels the way he does. II shows we have another wonderful man to vote for and I have no doubt the people of Connecticut will do the right thing at the right LIIIlt. NIIS ADDolI iS hilo"'i be for Smith and against McNeirs outright support of Roosevelt. Former National Chairman Thomas J. Spellacy of Hartford. ex- State Chairman James J. Walsh Of Meriden, ex-Mayor David F.. F1tZ- gerald of New Haven, Town Chair man David J. Mccoy of New Ha- ven, Mayor Francis T. Maloney of Meriden anl others came out today behind the smith campaign, hoping to see him forced into the nomin- ation.
 The word was: Smith is not seeking the nomination this time: he is letting the nomination seek him..
 Dr F. c. Dolan of Manchester. a member of the Cross regime and a candidate for the craftsmanship oi the state organization, refused to comment this morning. So did oth- CTS in the Cross following who rear the results of McNeil's promises to Roosevelt. Judge Martin Gormley