Evening star., 1932-02-21
BY GEORGE VAN SLYKE.


belief grows steadily that the Demo-
cratic party Is almost certain to go
into deadlock In the early balloting
In its national convention in June. the
conflict within the party becomes more
intense along a broad front The favo-
rite sons are supplied the impetus
needed to speed up their campaigns and
the party is passing through period of
rapidly changing and probably danger
GUS intrigues
Speaker Gamers boom for the pres
idential nomination Is growing beyond
the limits Of Texas and his gain is Gov.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's loss. With
strong backing, Mr. Garner will be a
real factor in determining the nomi-
deadlock. William G. McAdoo enters
the contest as boomer for Mr.. Gar
ner, leaping into the same lifeboat
with his arch foe, Alfred E. Smith.
How far that pair can travel together
is an experiment Of much interest to
politicians.
Gov. Roosevelt is almost at a stand
still in the face of the combined attack
OF all his opponents but apparently has
held his own. He has taken to the
stump in New York to strengthen his
hold on delegations outside the Tam
many confines. His decision is awaited
With keen interest and some apprehen-
sion in the case of Sheriff Farley, New
York County official, whose custer was
demanded by Judge Seabury. the in
vestigator, on charges of wrongdoing
made at hearing before the Governor.
Politicians see possibilities of his action
influencing his relations with Tammanv
and reacting for or against the morale
OF MS campaign throughout the coun-
try.
AL Smith is sticking closely to the
course he laid down for himself. leav-
ing his fate in the hands of his friends.
The issue between Gov. Roosevelt and
Mr.. Smith is joined clearly and sharp
ly in the New England States, where
!uIi sets OF delegates have been entered
Tor the primaries. and the early de-
velopments apparently favor the Gov
ernor in New Hampshire and Vermont.
This test will have more effect than
the size of the delegations would in
dicate
Gov. Ritchie of Maryland. and Harry
Byrd. former Governor of Virginia, are
following the same set of specifications,
reaching out into new fields for dele
gates. Both have been in New York
recently, in touch with the Al Smith
forces and the sources of campaign
supplies and funds.
All the other favorite, son candidates
"a flock of them-are bustling about
in their own sections trying to get into
the picture. The democracy has an
other sixteen-to- issue on hand.
This time it is not the old Bryan BIZ
metalism; it is sixteen potential and
more or less active candidates. all
against Gov Roosevelt. The New York
executive still holds first place; that
Is not yet disputed. All the others
must be against him If they are to get
anywhere. Their interests are iden-
Roosevelt That accomplished they
must fall into a e-for-all scramble.
The sixteen, each of whom hopes
and secretly expects to be the dark
horse beneficiary, are: Alfred E. Smith,
Owen D. Young and John w. Davis,
of New York; Gov. George White. New
ton D. Baker. James M. Cox and Sen
ator Robert J. Bulkley. of Ohio; Gov.
Richie of Maryland, Speaker Garner
A. Traylor of illinois, Gov. Murray OF
Oklahoma, Harry Byrd Of Virginia,
former Senator James A. Reed of Mis-
souri,, Senator Joe Robinson of Arkan-
sas and Gov. Bryan of Nebraska. 1t
is easily possible to figure out several
combinations which may be able to
control one-third of the convention,
supplying the 385 votes needed to
bring on the deadlock. 1t can be done
nv Al Smith in various alliances or oy
other sets Of combinations without MT.
Smith.
The political manipulators IN charge
of the several candidates. feel certain
that Gov. Roosevelt can be held Tor
seven ballots. The curious process py
which they arrive at that number Is Que
mainly to the peculiar and unprece-
dented instructions given by ONO
Democrats to their So delegates. Onlo
must vote for four ballots for GOV;
White. who insisted upon being entereo
as a candidate under threat OF a
primary fight, and then !or one parlo. ,1.o
each for three other favorlte sons. me Inc
three are not named. but tney are
Massrs Raker. Cox and Bulkley.
THAT ties up Ohio's big delegation for
seven ballots, and plays into the handS
~ the allies and Roosevelt opponents,
who are free to work out their com
binations without worrying about what
that states 50 votes may do in those
ballots. That number Of votes might
easily tip the scales in the event OF a
close fight.
New York. Ohio and Illinois, the
three big States. will have ten candi-
dates In the list and control OF 2O4
delegates OF New York's four-Roose-
velt, Smith, Young and DaVlsInone Is
possibility for the nomination fol
Vice president. OF Ohio's four-Baker
white, Cox and Bulkley-White anc
Bulkley are distinctly Vice Presidential
Al Smith and Gov Richie fall inte
3 natural alliance With illinois. xha'