The Washington times., 1932-06-28
LEADERS CALM
I IN POLITICAL
! DRAMA
Gov. RooSeveIt's New Move
/ Regarded As Tactical
+ Error in His Camp

t--This is the second in series
of stories on the Democratic con-
Dention By Claude G. BoDerS,
noted Democratic political tOriter.
skeynoter" at the 1928 Demo
cratic convention, and author OF
manu- books on the history of the
Democratic party. Mr.. BoDerS'
comment on the Democratic con-
Dention WiU be carried ercluSiUe-
~ By The Washington Times.
BY CLAUDE G. BOWERS
s..COpyright, 1882. by International
* News Service
= CHICAGO, June 28.-Another
day Of sheer drama. 1t began
yesterday with the formal open
ing of the convention; it reached
Its climax during the session with
the announcement whispered
about the hall that Roosevelt had
instructed his followers to
abandon the fight for the abroga-
tion of the two-thirdS rule.
The decision to make a fight
for abrogation at this juncture
was a tactical error and was not
approved by many of the fore
most Rooseveltians.
Light on Reaction
The action of the New York
caucus the night before had
thrown a white light on the re-
action. An amazing Caucus
free caucus-and free to any one
who cared to wander in from the
streets. Curry was loudly ap-
plauded when he entered, shak
ing hands as he smilingly made
his way to the front.
t.r Smith was greeted with luSty
cheers. But the ovation was re-
served for the entry of Mayor
Walker. The usual preliminarieS
n. and then Dan Cohalen Of
1ered his resolution against abro-
cation.
The debate was on, and at
times was marked with deep feel
ing. The climax of the debate
: came when John W. Davis took
the floor for the Coohalen resolu-
ton. The roll was called.
There was no attempt to in
fluence any ones opinion. AS
prominent RooSeVeltianS voted for
the resolution it was evident that
the sentiment Of the Empire
State was hostile to abrogation.
Late at night the rumor ran
through the various Presidential
headquarters that a poll, unoffi-
cial but careful, revealed ma
jority of hundred against the
abrogation of the rule.
Interest of Harmony
The statement of Roosevelt,
dignified, and in good temper
ordered the cessation of firing
in the interest Of harmony and
to end the charge that his camp
had been guilty Of bad sports
manship." He is entitled to
credit for having removed one
serious bone of contention. After
June comes November.
During the day and night the
managers of the various candi-
dates were kept constantly on
needles and pins by disturbing re-
ports that some of their men
were slipping. One thing about
this convention thus far that i'm
presses me is the evident deter
mination of individual delegates
to use their own judgment. This
IS an Embossed convention.
There will be no repetition OF
the Madison Square Garden con-
vention under any circumstances.
The delegates of no particular i'm
portance are determined to take
matters into their own hands if
the leaders bungle.
Smith Calm
I have observed a very gratify-
ing difference between the tenn.
per of the candidates here and at
the New. York convention. Eight
years ago they were keyed to a
high pitch of excitement and rage.
Nothing of the sort here.
AS I said, Smith is calm, his
sense of humor keen as ever;
Byrd, from all appearances, might
be a mere spectator of an inter-
esting show.
Last night I talked with Ritchie
in his rooms and he was unruf-
fled, without a suggestion of ex-
citement or ill feeling toward any
one.