The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-25
BY MARSHALL NPNEIL
Times STAFF Writer


CHICAGO, June 25.-Any man
who receives the damaged goods"
Of a Democratic presidential nom
nation by abolition of the century,
old two-thirds rule vii be threat
ened severely in the November gen.
eral election and will face thte very
real risk of a split party.
This is the opinion of aStute poll
ticians gathered here for the ma
tional Democratic convention.
Some privately say that almost
certain defeat will ensue.
Others are wondering, publicly,
whether they will support a nom
inee selected through a trick.
The fight on the proposal to
abrogate the two-thirdS rule is
rolling up steadily with Al Smith,
Senator Carter Glass, Senator Pat
Harrison, former Senator Jim Reed
(Mo0 and Governor Ritchie Of
Maryland, all out in favor of re-
tanning the old regulation.
Senator Clarence c. Dill (Wash.)
a Roosevelt manager, urged caution
at the Thursday night meeting
when the attack was agreed upon.
Roosevelt Debates by Phone
But he was borne down by Roose-
welt himself, who talked to the con-
ferees over leased telephone con-
nected with a microphone in the
Office of James A. Farley, Roose-
velt's manager
Last week is was Herbert hoover
who sat alta long distance phone
and dictated to a convention.
Veteran Democrats connect the
belated move against the historic
rule with Roosevelt's reputation of
his pledge to accept Jouett Shouse,
national committee executive di-
rector, as permanent chairman.
In lobbies and corridors it was
pointed out that the Democrats
could not face down charges that
the campaign was based on. bad
faith toward Shouse, and unsports-
manlike tactics toward the delegates
themselves.
I'VE can not win campaign
based on lie and double-croSs,"
said one oldfashioned Democrat.
Laugh at Unfair" Cry
HE may win the nomination"
said the scornful Senator Glass
(Va), "but he will lose in November.
No man can command respect OF
votes who will wreck a party for
the sake of selfish ambition"
But the Roosevelt managers scott
at such an attitude. Their psy-
chology is that what they call the
inside technique of politics" will be
forgotten in a few months.
Between now and November, they
plan to picture Roosevelt's move as
a bold stroke which no other DEM
ocrat ever dared to make.
So they laugh at cries of dishon-
est and unfair tactics designed to
break pledge and overthrow a
century-old rule.
Al Smith, with characteristic can
dor, repeated his opposition to abro-
cation of the two-thirdS rule, add
ing that this radical change sug-
gested late at night withuot any
elaboration or discussion. sounds
like a cry for the life preserver."
Harms Party Chances
Leading Democrats throughout
the country" Smith went on, will
repudiate any such action, and it
distinctly will be harmful to the
partys chances in November, no
matter who is nominated"
Supporting this statement, he said
he had learned that two former
Democratic presidential candidates
not now here-James M. Cox of
Ohio and John w. Davis of West
Virginia-would oppose abrogating
the two-thirds rule.
After the Roosevelt gathering
Thursday night which resulted in
Senator Huey Long Oa.) and Sen
ator Bert Wheeler CMont.) putting
through the resolution favoring abo-
lition of the two-thirds rule, the first
formal denunciation came from
Representative Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
campaign manager for Speaker
John Garner of the same state.
Rayburn condemned the Roosevelt
move as violative Of American STAN
dards Of fair play.
Called Beginning of End
Glass blast followed. Then lanky
Senator Harrison. symphony in
white linen so familiar back home
in Gulfport, Miss, sat on a desk
in the Roosevelt headquarters and
in his well-known senatorial man
ner pleaded for retention Of the
two-thirds rule to insure party har-
mony.
Then Richie, just audible above
the booming Of flashlights and hur-
rains and applause of his faithful
Maryland lieges, spoke against abro-
eating the rule.
Mild-mannered Senator Robert j
Buckley Of Ohio joined in, and the
aging Reed. in typical singing SEN
fences, opined that the fact the
Roosevelt men wanted the rule
killed must mean they are badly
scared" He interpreted it also as
the beginning Of the end.