The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-29
ROOSEVELT TO
Be TARGET OF
SMITHS fire
Speech Today viii Attack
Former. Friend of 1928
Candidate.
RICHIE IS AIS CHOICE
Coalition Group May Swing
to Baker If Maryland
Man Is Too Weak.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
United Press staff Correspondent


Smith intends to lay the ground
work for the coalition drive against
his old friend, Governor Franklin D.
Roosevelt, in a speech today from
the Democratic convention platform.
He expects to take the occasion
offered by debate on the prohibition
plank in the platform to carry out
the threat he made a few weeks
ago in Washington to take off his
coat and vest" to prevent the nom
nation of the man who nominated
him in 1928 as the Happy Warrior"
Smith does not plan to come out
directly, but to make very plain to
the delegates his opposition to the
candidate who has well over a
majority of the delegates, and whose
forces have seized control of the
convention to pave the way for
nomination. 1t will be Smiths great
stroke.
Smith Takes Up Fight
In numerous conferences here, the
1928 Democratic candidate already
has taken off his coat and vest" in
desperate effort to beat the man
who succeeded him in the Cover
nor's chair at Albany. He is work.
ing through one of the most aStute
politicians on the scene, Frank
Hague of New Jersey.
Hague, as one of the Smith group
puts it, is working twenty-four
hours day." He is attempting to
unite the leaders and delegates who
are gathered here under as diverse
a group of "favorite sons as ever
hung out their banners and chanted
their claims.
He is playing somewhat the same
role that former Acknowledgement
Harry M. Daugherty played on be-
half Of Warren G. Harding in the
1920 Republican convention here.
Acting in the role of compron1iser
OF divergent elements is former Gov
ernor James M. Cox of Ohio, 1920
Democratic candidate.
Smith for Ritcnie
The Smith candidate is Governor
Albert G. Ritchie of Maryland, a
candidate who satisfies the conserv-
alive business and financial inter-
ests with whom Smith now is asso-
clated. The ballyhoo for the hand
some Maryland Governor-the best
looking of the presidential aspirants
lis on in full blast. One hears
talk of him everywhere.
1t it turns out that Richie can
not make the grade, and is not
strong enough to hold the necessary
1886 delegates in line-and Ritchie
lack strength in some sections of
the country-then the coalition will
turn to Newton D. Baker, devotee of
Wllsonian principles, who has con-
siderable reserve strength.
NO public campaign has been
made for Baker, though much quiet
work. He is not even on the scene.
Smith is not particularly warm
toward Baker. Richie is his pref
erence. The Maryland Governor is
very satisfactory to Smith on the
prohibition issue, being dripping
wet. He and Smith are working
see by side here for outright repeal
of the eighteenth amendment and
immediate modification of the Vol
stead act.
He's Original Wet
Richie is the original wet" For
twelve years he has been fighting
tn prohibition amendment, in and
out of season. Some believe he has
been too prominently identified with
this one issue for a presidential
candidate.
A careful analysis today shows
the Roosevelt group here undoubted-
ly in the favored position. The
New York Governor still lacks the
two thirds, ITO votes.
which was made the rule of the
convention after the abortive fight
against it, but he is near enough
so that crumble here and there
will put him over
Some such crumbles are in the
air-so attractive is the band wagon
AS the convention approaches the
balloting stage.
Missouri is weakening. Former
Senator James A. Reed, the favorite
son, is holding his delegates in lire
with difficulty. How soon they may
flop to Roosevelt probably will be-
come apparent at caucus today.
Tammany May Swing
Reports continue to persist that a
few hours will find Tammany lining
up behind it's Governor. John F.
Curry, Tammany leader, is Roose-
velt's friend. He and Smith do not
like each other.
Tammany's allegiance would swing
all New York's ninety-four votes to
the Roosevelt column and I'M
doubtedly turn the trick for the
Governor.
After Roosevelt, Ritchie and Baker
are the only two candidates being
considered seriously by this conven-
ton. If neither one can sweep the
convention, then the tide probably
would shift back to Roosevelt again.