The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-05-27
Writing of Satisfactory Prohibi-
ton Plank Is Unexpected.
Iy Difficult
STALWARTS COMPLAIN IN G
Assert Hoover is Ignoring Them
in Plans For Convention
at Chicago

Washington, May 81 Ill., The
campaign year worries of the Repub-
licans, overshadowed for so long by
the more spectacular fluctuations OF
the Democrats. have taken front
seat once more in national politics.
Writing a prohibition plank accept
able alike to the Republican vets and
Republican dryS has proved harder
than many expected Campaign funds
remain almost non existent. A fully
qualified campaign manager still is
lacking. Senator Borah has decided
not even to attend the June IA Chi
cago. convention. On top Of 1t all, a
powerful group of Stalwarts in con-
gress is complaining bitterly they
have been left out of party councils
All of these things have added ma
terially to the natural irrita:ions Of a
time Of great political stress. In large
measure they have diverted attention
during the present week from the
continuing Democratic strife over the
presidential nomination.
Democrats Still Troubled
This does not mean the Democratic
problem has grown any simpler. It is
moving along for convention solution,
about as everybody expected. The
week saw Franklin d. Roosevelt cap
ture the Delaware delegation of &
and he stands to add 20 more Satur-
day from Utah and Colorado. On the
basis of the Roosevelt claims that will
make total of 500. or 81 more thar
convention majority Speaker
John N. Garner was given Texas
bringing his total to 80. and Alfred
E. Smith received formal pledge OIL
New Jerseys 80, making him g.
It takes ITO to nominate. OF Thu
122 remaining to be selected after thu:
week, Roosevelt has chance to gel
SO. If he does. it will bring him sc
near the needed two-thirds that ont
or two of the favorite-son states
could turn the trick His supporters
have been sending out feelers. partic-
ularly toward Missouri. illinois ana
Ohio. but there is no sign of de-
termining development in the imme-
date offing.
At the center of the Republican,
troubles stands the question of what
to do about prohibition. Presiden!
Hoover. with enough undisputed dele.
gates now behind him to insure re-
nomination on the first ballot, has
given party leaders the impression he
would not object to the right kind Of
referendum proposal. but that he has
no proposal of his own. There is a
general disposition not to ALLEVIATE the
organized drys. whose leaders appar.
emily are making no promises.
Cannon Serves Notice
On the contrary. Bishop Cannon
has served notice tn a t referendum,
proposals are to be regarded as "fu-
tile" and some of the dry leaders arc
listening to speculation whether Sen
ator Borah who recently discussed
prohibition with Hoover and came
away unsatisfied might not be will
ing to run for president as an inde-
pendent dry. The meeting of drys to
be held here next week may make
real history.
The flare-up Of certain congress
sional leaders over party organization
presents for the president lesser
but by no means unimportant prob.
lem. Somehow word reached Capitol
Hill that the white house would JUS;
as soon see congress remain in ses-
sion during the conventions and was
making plans for SenatOr-lesS, con-
gressman-less show at Chicago.
That hurt several Of those who have
long been prominent convention fig.
ures. They told administration lead.
ers about it quietly and confidently
but forcibly.
The result Is yet to be seen.