Evening star., 1932-04-14

| litical influence and pressure and not
| brought about by legislative log rolling.
It's fundamental purpose must be the
| preservation Of the high standard of
/ the American workingman.
References TO Byrd.
Both Mr.. Smith and Gov Ritchie
of Maryland referred in their speeches
to the demand of Mr Byrd for a sub
mission of the prohibition question to
vote Of the people in the various
States. Smith after cracking at pro-
hibition himself continued:
Il am glad to hear from Virginia.
Thomas jefferson was the great disciple
OF States rights. Scripture tells us OF
the prodigal son who wandered away
from home and of his return
The crowd laughed.
Gov. Ritchie said he was glad his
friends from Virg mia" had at last
joined the ranks of those who are fight
ing for prohibition reform. The Mary
land Governor, who has been a leading
sponsor of prohibition repeal for years,
read telegram which he had received
from the Woman's Organization for
National Prohibition Reform asking II
he were nominated and elected Presi-
dCIlJ NOulu Ilt Sbtlld AOA ANPSt'A VA SAAN
eighteenth amendment.
II have been pleading for that ever
since 1920" declared the Maryland
Governor amid the cheers of his sup
porters.
Gov. RooSevelt's supporters are urging
a brief national convention with prompt
nomination of their candidate. In the
text of his speech prepared before the
dinner Mr.. Smith had this to say:
1T would be better that the conven-
tion remain IN session all Summer and
give to the people a vigorous, strong,
clearly-defined platform. and candidates
capable of fighting for it, than to hurry
away from Chicago with half-baked
proposal to offer to the people OF the
country
But the sentence vent unuttered. The
paragraph and several others were
skipped in Smiths rapid delivery. 1t
was understood that Byrd and others,
upon seeing the manuscript in advance,
advised the New Yorker to tone it
down"
Against CLOSING Over.
He did. however, say: Some Demo-
Gratis say, Give us a short convention;
others say, Nominate a candidate
against whom nothing can be said
while there cannot be much said for
him The disposition to gloss over
controversial questions in an attempt
to please both sides of the argument
will bring forth a meaningless docu-
ment, a colorless candidate and
weakened party. Experience will win
nothing for democracy"
Smith advocated a clear-cut plat
form, which besides his war debt plaE
and liquor control project reiterated
demand for scientific tariff rates writ
ten by non-partiSan commission, ano
a thorough reorganization of the
Government machinery.
He called for a short platform,
criticizing the party for devoting space
in the past to attacking the Repub-
licanS instead of concisely and definitely
offering constructive proposals. Un-
employment, he said, would have to be
remedied gradually, for there is no
such thing as waving the magic
wand"
John ]. Raskob. chairman of the
Democratic National Committee, who
presided at the dinner until he turned
the gavel over to former Gov. Cox.
the toastmaster, read a telegram from
Gov. Roosevelt expressing regret that
he was unable to attend the dinner
The New York Governor said in his
telegram that he felt compelled to re-
main in Albany on account of two
meetings there, one dealing with unem-
ployment and the other with govern
mental economy. There was scattering
applause from the diners.
Richie Gets Most Applause.
Gov Ritchie Of Maryland received
the greatest amount Of applause of the
speakers, both when he entered the hall
and later when he was presented to
the diners. There was no ovation, with
the guests rising and cheering. for Al
Smith when he concluded his address,
although he was given prolonged ap-
plause. Smiths proposal for a 20-year
moratorium Of the foreign debts Cwed
this country was heard in silence.
Mr.. Byrd made a significant remark
in his address, more significant in the
light of the speech of Mr.. Smith, which
was to follow. He said: THE dislike of
no individual will divide US" in the
national campaign.
Mr.. Raskob at the outset of the din
ner announced that the victory fund
drive of the Democrats was progressing
successfully and he denied runners that
any part Of the fund was to be used to
aid the candidacy of any presidential
aSpirant.
Mr.. Cox, in his opening address
pleaded for strong leadership in the
Democratic party. The former Cover