Evening star., 1932-06-22
SPECULATION RIFE
AS MEETING NEARS
'TituIar Head of Party Ex.
pected to Explain His
Split With Roosevelt.
BY the Associated Press.

by the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, June 22-Al Smiths ar
rival, McAdoo's approach, the Garner
statement for repeal of the eighteenth
amendment, and growing tensity
among the Roosevelt forces today set
the Democratic political pulse pounding
just six days before the convention
opens.
Many party leacers here were eager
to see Smith
There were those who felt the titular
head Of the party, apparently in dead
earnest about getting the nomination
for himself, would fatty give his reasons
for his break with Franklin D. Roose-
welt, the man who nominated him at
Houston in 1923.
Chairmanship First Fight.
incidentally, the scrap over the per-
manent Craftsmanship Is scheduled as
the conventions first headon collision
between the opposing groups. 1t may
decide whether Gov. Roosevelt will be
the nominee or only the man who al
most got the nomination.
Supporters of Jouett Shouse charge
double crossing in the decision of the
Roosevelt men to support Senator
Thomas j. Walsh of Montana for the
post. There are counter charges, and
James A. Farley, Roosevelt generals
simo, claims the deciding factor-the
necessary votes
Regardless, Shouses friends were pre-
dieting today if the ballot were only a
few hours away, he would be given the
gavel.
A man who may hold the answer of
chairmanship and the nominee puzzles
10 a~l
is John F. Curry, Tamnany chieftain
Farley has indicated he hoped for the
formidable group Of votes Curry con-
trCls, but there is no positive assurance
Of that as yet.
AS usual, the approach of convention
time is apparently convincing some
candidates for the nomination that they
are not only the logical but the likely
men for the post.
Garner Would Accept.
Speaker John N. Gamers call in
Washington for repeal was accompanied
by assurance he would accept if the
Democrats called for his leadership.
He went further in his statement and
outlined his position on several issues.
frowning on suggestions of debt can
cellationS and urging sweeping measures
for relief
One man who needs no convincing
the Texan should get the nomination is
expected to steam into Chicago ere the
day is over. That man is William Gibbs
McAdoo, who saw himself on the White
House trail at New York In 1924, but
found the vision a mirage
He opposes Roosevelt, and in this he
goes along with the man who stood in
his way in 1924, Alfred E. Smith. They
are together now, but the Roosevelt
friends doubt the pair can agree on
any one candidate.
Even at this early stage the drift is
strongly toward party declaration on
prohibition which would go farther
along the anti-prohibition road than the
Republican plank.
The voice of the dry has been
drowned temporarily at least, by many
calls for direct Democratic expression
on the issue, every statement hitherto
being moist and some strongly wet
The only question seems to be
whether the plank should call for re-
submission of a repeal plank or a party
commitment for repeal, with odds at
present favoring the former
Some of the arriving Democrats are
calling for emphasis on the economic
issue. Former Gov. Byrd of Virginia
has suggested revision of war debts If
Europe would disarm in proportion.
Gov. Ritchie of Maryland has advocated
shorter work hours and stagger sys-
TEN Of employment to relieve unem-
ployment
There is speculation too, whether the
Roosevelt men will try to discard the
two-thirds rule in order to name their
candidate and the name of Senator Pat
Harrison has been mentioned as DOS
slble chairman of the Resolutions Com
Tennessee decline the post
In any event, the hotels are filling
eegain and the smile has returned to the
face of the innkeeper.
EXPECTS SHORT SESSION.