Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-24
ROOSEVELT FIGHTS
TWO-TH|RD RULE
Defeat of Governor Seen in
Losing Majority Nomina-
ton Battle.
Continued From First Paeel

delegates would support abolition of the
two-thirds rule because they opposed
the rule and because they favored the
nomination and election of Gov. Roose-
welt
Farley said that Rooseveh's ms1d was
absolutely open on the question Of a
vice presidential candidate"
interpreted variOusIy.
The action was variously interpreted.
BY some Of the Democratic leaders 1t
was reckoned bold stroke But by
others-hoStile to Roosevelt was
hailed as indication Of weakness, a fear
that Roosevelt cannot be nominated
under the two-thiros rule.
The Roosevelt Democrats, however
have made up their minds that they
will rule the roost; that they will not
permit obstructive tactics by a minority
OF the convention, preventing a nomi-
nation of their candidate.
In addition to determining their
course on the two-thir6s rule, the
Roosevelt leaders appointed at their
meeting Senator Wheeler of Montana
to head a committee which will make
the night for Senator Thomas j. Walsh
also Of Montana, for permanent chair
man OF the national convention in
place OF Jouett Shouse, Democratic ex-
ecative chairman, whom the Roosevelt
people have accused of being hostile to
the Roosevelt nomination.
This Walsh-Shouse fight will be the
nrSt showdown of strength in the con-
vention.
Hague Statement Resented.
Whether the determination of the
Roosevelt leaders to run the steam
roller over the opposition was in
nueneed by statement attacking
Roosevelt issued by Mayor Frank
Hague of Jersey City, Democratic boss
OF Jersey and floor manager of the
Smith campaign, is a question Mr..
Farley denied that it had anything to
do with the decision. However, the
Hague statement. declaring Roosevelt
has no chance of winning the election
u nominated, was deeply resented by
Roosevelt followers. They insisted that
1t showed how desperate the anti
Roosevelt forces had become in face
Of coming victory for Roosevelt.
Party Is Split.
Democratic ranks were torn asunder
today by the decision of Roosevelt lead
ers to abolish the two-thirds rule Gen.
orally speaking, the anti Roosevelt
Democrats declared themselves strongly
opposed TO this proposal. Roosevelt |
supporters announced their intention Of |
fighting to kill this two-thirds rule
Some Of them said they were doubtful |
of the ACCESSIBILITY of bringing up the |
Tight at the start Of the convention, but |
that they intended to go through with |
1t.
Al Smith this morning declared he |
would have something to say at pm, I
but not before. 1t Is understood, how |
ever, that he believes the effort to abol-
1Sh the two-thirds rule viii lead to |
hard fight and that he realizes there |
is a strong sentiment among the dele
gates for such abolition.
William Gibbs McAdoo. heading ahe |
Garner delegation from California, |
said: The California delegates voted |
three weeks ago that the two-t thirds
rule should be maintained in this ma
tional convention, but that the con- /
vention should recommend the aboli-
tion OF the rule and the establishment
OF majority rule, to come up in the [
1886 convention. The idea of the dele
gates was that the rules should not be
changed in the middle OF the game It
was further believed that it would be
wise to put the delegates to the 1885 /
convention on notice, at the time they |
were being elected that this matter of |
would come before them"
Hit by Senator Glass.
Senator Carter Glass OF Virginia, !
supporting the candidacy of former
Gov. Harry Flood Byrd for the presi- I
Dental nomination, said:
L wouldn't support anybody who !
takes short cut or makes a snap play !
in the middle of the game"
Mr.. Byrd himself would not comment !
at this time. but indicated he would !
say something later.
Isidore Dockweiler, Democratic ma
tional committeeman from California,
a supporter of Roosevelt, said:
Il am oppised to the two-thirds rule, |
7 think the decision OF the Roosevelt !
forces to bring about its adjustment
was a fine thing. Furthermore 1t will
be done
Mr.. McAdoo wanted to break the two
thirds rule In 1924 at the Madison
Square Garden convention. I was
with him at the time. He did not have
the votes then. Mr.. McAdoo has con-
tinued to declare his opposition to the
two-thirds rule"
Quotes McAdOO.
Mr.. Dockweiler pulled from his
pocket a copy of a California news
paper published last year in which Mr..
McAdoo was quoted at length as be-
ing in favor of the abolition of the
two-thirds rule Of nominating candi-
dates in the Democratic National Con-
ventions.
A. Mitchell Palmer delegate from
the District of Columbia and Attorney
General in the Wilson cabinet, who is
supporting Roosevelt, said:
There is sn enormous sentiment
among the Democrats in this conven-
ton and elsewhere against a REPETITION
of the Madison Square Garden dis
s strous row. These Democrats are
praying that they will rot have such
contest and I believe their prayers
will be answered"
He said he favored the abolition Of
the two-thridS rule and establishment
OF majority rule
Favorable 10 Abolition.
Senator Cohen of Georgia, Demo-
cratic national committeeman, pointed
out that the Democratic State Conven-
ton in Georgia had voted unanimously
In favor of the abolition OF the two
MA\A\NAAA~~MAM